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Episode description:

AI-driven investment, rising leverage and shifting market dynamics are reshaping the 2026 stock market outlook. As companies accelerate spending on data centers, chips and digital infrastructure, micro-level decisions are increasingly influencing the capital markets and broader economy.

In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido speaks with Jean Boivin, Head of the BlackRock Investment Institute, about the major forces shaping the 2026 markets and investing landscape. Jean breaks down how AI-related capital expenditure is transforming growth patterns, why governments and companies may need to leverage up to finance large-scale projects, and how these trends interact with today’s policy and market environment.

They also explore the diversification mirage — the idea that in an economy driven by a few powerful megaforces, some strategies that appear diversified may actually be concentrated calls. Jean shares how this affects views on regional equity markets, fixed income trends and the evolving structure of global investing.

Key insights include:
• How AI and digital infrastructure investment are influencing the 2026 market outlook
• Why rising leverage may shape the behavior of governments and companies
• The expanding role of private credit in today’s capital markets
• How megaforces complicate traditional diversification in global portfolios
• Where BII sees structural opportunities across Japan, Europe and emerging markets

2026 market outlook, AI investing, AI Buildout, AI infrastructure, Capital markets, Megaforces, Stock market trends, Private credit, Global macro outlook, diversification strategies

Sources: BlackRock Investment Institute 2026 Global Outlook