A SPOTLIGHT ON PORTFOLIO TRENDS

The portfolio of the future

FOR PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS / QUALIFIED INVESTORS / QUALIFIED CLIENTS / SOPHISTICATED INSTITUTIONS ONLY

In the latest instalment of our ‘Portfolio of the future’ series, we outline why blending systematic and fundamental active strategies could help portfolio alpha generation.

Traditional multi-asset portfolios are under pressure today – equity–bond correlations have become unreliable, and macro uncertainty looks set to persist. Inflation and market volatility are reducing the benefits of holding broad, static index investments, which could potentially drag on portfolio performance.

Structural shifts such as AI, geopolitical tensions, and the energy transition are driving greater dispersion across countries, sectors, and companies—creating fertile ground for skilled active managers, in our view.

Fundamental alpha strategies can capitalise on these dynamics through deep insights and high-conviction perspectives, with the potential to deliver meaningful long-term outperformance. Yet this often comes with larger deviations from market cap indices, which could cause some investors—particularly those with lower risk tolerance — to favour broader, more static beta exposures.

For more risk-sensitive investors, systematic strategies could complement fundamental strategies by combining human expertise with AI, alternative data, and advanced technology to deliver a disciplined, rules-based investment process. Designed to generate consistent results and moderate levels of alpha within defined active risk targets, these strategies could enhance portfolio performance relative to benchmarks.

With fundamental and systematic strategies offering distinct and complementary benefits, in our view, we advocate blending both in portfolios for a more diversified, risk-adjusted engine for alpha. Combining qualitative judgment with quantitative rigour can help to enhance expected returns beyond static beta and address the challenges of an increasingly complex, evolving market.

This document is marketing material: Before investing please read the Prospectus and the PRIIPs KID available on www.blackrock.com/it, which contain a summary of investors’ rights.

Risk Warnings

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Important Information

This material is for distribution to Professional Clients (as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority or MiFID Rules) only and should not be relied upon by any other persons.

This document is marketing material.

In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.

In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20-549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.

In Italy: For information on investor rights and how to raise complaints please go to https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/investor-right available in Italian.

For investors in Bahrain

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Kuwait

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions that are ‘Professional Clients’ as defined under the Kuwait Capital Markets Law and its Executive Bylaws.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Oman

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Qatar

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in South Africa

Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Conduct Authority, FSP No. 43288.

For investors in Switzerland

This document shall be exclusively made available to, and directed at, qualified investors as defined in Article 10 (3) of the CISA of 23 June 2006, as amended, at the exclusion of qualified investors with an opting-out pursuant to Art. 5 (1) of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services ('FinSA').

For information on art. 8 / 9 Financial Services Act (FinSA) and on your client segmentation under art. 4 FinSA, please see the following website: www.blackrock.com/finsa.

Any research in this document has been procured and may have been acted on by BlackRock for its own purpose. The results of such research are being made available only incidentally. The views expressed do not constitute investment or any other advice and are subject to change. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any company in the BlackRock Group or any part thereof and no assurances are made as to their accuracy.

This document is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to anyone to invest in any BlackRock funds and has not been prepared in connection with any such offer.

© 2025 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights reserved. BLACKROCK, BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS and iSHARES are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.

In today’s volatile macro and market environment, traditional portfolio strategies may fall short. The Portfolio of the Future series explores innovative approaches and emerging trends to help investors build more resilient, efficient multi-asset portfolios.

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Blending systematic and fundamental alpha strategies

girl walking on road

Traditional portfolios are being tested as many long-held market assumptions are upended and uncertainty persists.
Success today calls for an adaptive portfolio implementation approach—one that combines the efficiency of index investing with the differentiated insights of both systematic and fundamental active strategies. By blending data-driven precision with fundamental judgment, investors can broaden their sources of excess return at different levels of risk, enhance diversification, and strengthen portfolio resilience. This balance helps investors stay agile, pursue more consistent outcomes, and capture opportunities across evolving market cycles.

Discover our adaptive investment approach Discover our adaptive investment approach

Blending systematic and fundamental alpha strategies

Implementing asset allocation decisions through systematic and fundamental strategies is not a case of ‘either/or’, in our view – they're largely uncorrelated, exploiting different inefficiencies, and blending them could therefore help investors access more diversified sources of alpha.

FOR PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS / QUALIFIED INVESTORS / QUALIFIED CLIENTS / SOPHISTICATED INSTITUTIONS ONLY

In the latest instalment of our ‘Portfolio of the future’ series, we outline why blending systematic and fundamental active strategies could help portfolio alpha generation.

Traditional multi-asset portfolios are under pressure today – equity–bond correlations have become unreliable, and macro uncertainty looks set to persist. Inflation and market volatility are reducing the benefits of holding broad, static index investments, which could potentially drag on portfolio performance.

Structural shifts such as AI, geopolitical tensions, and the energy transition are driving greater dispersion across countries, sectors, and companies—creating fertile ground for skilled active managers, in our view.

Fundamental alpha strategies can capitalise on these dynamics through deep insights and high-conviction perspectives, with the potential to deliver meaningful long-term outperformance. Yet this often comes with larger deviations from market cap indices, which could cause some investors—particularly those with lower risk tolerance — to favour broader, more static beta exposures.

For more risk-sensitive investors, systematic strategies could complement fundamental strategies by combining human expertise with AI, alternative data, and advanced technology to deliver a disciplined, rules-based investment process. Designed to generate consistent results and moderate levels of alpha within defined active risk targets, these strategies could enhance portfolio performance relative to benchmarks.

With fundamental and systematic strategies offering distinct and complementary benefits, in our view, we advocate blending both in portfolios for a more diversified, risk-adjusted engine for alpha. Combining qualitative judgment with quantitative rigour can help to enhance expected returns beyond static beta and address the challenges of an increasingly complex, evolving market.

This document is marketing material: Before investing please read the Prospectus and the PRIIPs KID available on www.blackrock.com/it, which contain a summary of investors’ rights.

Risk Warnings

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Important Information

This material is for distribution to Professional Clients (as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority or MiFID Rules) only and should not be relied upon by any other persons.

This document is marketing material.

In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.

In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20-549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.

In Italy: For information on investor rights and how to raise complaints please go to https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/investor-right available in Italian.

For investors in Bahrain

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Kuwait

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions that are ‘Professional Clients’ as defined under the Kuwait Capital Markets Law and its Executive Bylaws.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Oman

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Qatar

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in South Africa

Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Conduct Authority, FSP No. 43288.

For investors in Switzerland

This document shall be exclusively made available to, and directed at, qualified investors as defined in Article 10 (3) of the CISA of 23 June 2006, as amended, at the exclusion of qualified investors with an opting-out pursuant to Art. 5 (1) of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services ('FinSA').

For information on art. 8 / 9 Financial Services Act (FinSA) and on your client segmentation under art. 4 FinSA, please see the following website: www.blackrock.com/finsa.

Any research in this document has been procured and may have been acted on by BlackRock for its own purpose. The results of such research are being made available only incidentally. The views expressed do not constitute investment or any other advice and are subject to change. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any company in the BlackRock Group or any part thereof and no assurances are made as to their accuracy.

This document is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to anyone to invest in any BlackRock funds and has not been prepared in connection with any such offer.

© 2025 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights reserved. BLACKROCK, BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS and iSHARES are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.

FOR PROFESSIONAL CLIENTS / QUALIFIED INVESTORS / QUALIFIED CLIENTS / SOPHISTICATED INSTITUTIONS ONLY

In the latest instalment of our ‘Portfolio of the future’ series, we outline why blending systematic and fundamental active strategies could help portfolio alpha generation.

Traditional multi-asset portfolios are under pressure today – equity–bond correlations have become unreliable, and macro uncertainty looks set to persist. Inflation and market volatility are reducing the benefits of holding broad, static index investments, which could potentially drag on portfolio performance.

Structural shifts such as AI, geopolitical tensions, and the energy transition are driving greater dispersion across countries, sectors, and companies—creating fertile ground for skilled active managers, in our view.

Fundamental alpha strategies can capitalise on these dynamics through deep insights and high-conviction perspectives, with the potential to deliver meaningful long-term outperformance. Yet this often comes with larger deviations from market cap indices, which could cause some investors—particularly those with lower risk tolerance — to favour broader, more static beta exposures.

For more risk-sensitive investors, systematic strategies could complement fundamental strategies by combining human expertise with AI, alternative data, and advanced technology to deliver a disciplined, rules-based investment process. Designed to generate consistent results and moderate levels of alpha within defined active risk targets, these strategies could enhance portfolio performance relative to benchmarks.

With fundamental and systematic strategies offering distinct and complementary benefits, in our view, we advocate blending both in portfolios for a more diversified, risk-adjusted engine for alpha. Combining qualitative judgment with quantitative rigour can help to enhance expected returns beyond static beta and address the challenges of an increasingly complex, evolving market.

This document is marketing material: Before investing please read the Prospectus and the PRIIPs KID available on www.blackrock.com/it, which contain a summary of investors’ rights.

Risk Warnings

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Important Information

This material is for distribution to Professional Clients (as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority or MiFID Rules) only and should not be relied upon by any other persons.

This document is marketing material.

In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.

In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20-549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.

In Italy: For information on investor rights and how to raise complaints please go to https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/investor-right available in Italian.

For investors in Bahrain

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Kuwait

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions that are ‘Professional Clients’ as defined under the Kuwait Capital Markets Law and its Executive Bylaws.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Oman

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in Qatar

The information contained in this document is intended strictly for sophisticated institutions.

The information contained in this document, does not constitute and should not be construed as an offer of, invitation or proposal to make an offer for, recommendation to apply for or an opinion or guidance on a financial product, service and/or strategy. Whilst great care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this document is accurate, no responsibility can be accepted for any errors, mistakes or omissions or for any action taken in reliance thereon. You may only reproduce, circulate and use this document (or any part of it) with the consent of BlackRock.

The information contained in this document is for information purposes only. It is not intended for and should not be distributed to, or relied upon by, members of the public.

The information contained in this document, may contain statements that are not purely historical in nature but are 'forward-looking statements'. These include, amongst other things, projections, forecasts or estimates of income. These forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions, some of which are described in other relevant documents or materials. If you do not understand the contents of this document, you should consult an authorised financial adviser.

For investors in South Africa

Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Conduct Authority, FSP No. 43288.

For investors in Switzerland

This document shall be exclusively made available to, and directed at, qualified investors as defined in Article 10 (3) of the CISA of 23 June 2006, as amended, at the exclusion of qualified investors with an opting-out pursuant to Art. 5 (1) of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services ('FinSA').

For information on art. 8 / 9 Financial Services Act (FinSA) and on your client segmentation under art. 4 FinSA, please see the following website: www.blackrock.com/finsa.

Any research in this document has been procured and may have been acted on by BlackRock for its own purpose. The results of such research are being made available only incidentally. The views expressed do not constitute investment or any other advice and are subject to change. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any company in the BlackRock Group or any part thereof and no assurances are made as to their accuracy.

This document is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to anyone to invest in any BlackRock funds and has not been prepared in connection with any such offer.

© 2025 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights reserved. BLACKROCK, BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS and iSHARES are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.

Ursula Marchioni: Tony. Thank you for being with us today on CIO Pulse.

Tony Kim: It's an absolute pleasure. Thanks for having me.

Ursula Marchioni: So let's kick off. What is the top investment opportunity a CIO should consider today?

Tony Kim: The top consideration for a CIO should be focused on the potential that AI offers. Over the last 20 years or more, methodically, systematically, tech has already grown from 20% of the S&P to now over 40%.1

Tony Kim: And so that was even before AI. AI has now hit like a thunderclap. And it potentially has the opportunity to even drive this further as being the dominant driving force, for the stock market, in my opinion.

Tony Kim: And so this is also the most, from what I've seen in my 25 plus years, the most consequential technology wave. So you put that all in context; tech has already become the largest sector, in the broad market. We are embarking on the biggest consequential tech wave that I've seen in over 25 years that could potentially up-end what we perceive to be a static, technology market.

Tony Kim: And so put all of that into context. CIOs should be definitely focussed on the AI theme.

Ursula Marchioni: Very insightful. Thank you. And so, moving on and going under the bonnet, what is then the most important investment consideration a CIO should consider when evolving their portfolios.

Tony Kim: In my opinion, there are waves of technology and then when these waves hit, there is a changing of the guard.

Tony Kim: And when there is a changing of the guard, it is often, commensurate with periods of rapid change.

Tony Kim: This requires Dynamic Adaptation. And as the uncertainty of this rate of change is very high, it raises the question of, kind of a new order, if you will, the old being consumed by the new. And in my opinion, AI is bringing these questions to bear.

Tony Kim: And this is a rate of immense change, the highest change that I've seen in my career, as a technology investor. And we are really in the beginning throes of that, and therefore that will require to have this dynamic touch to navigate these, rapidly changing markets. And I think there will be a new guard that arises, in this AI era.

Tony Kim: A new Mag-7, if you will, could potentially emerge.

Ursula Marchioni: So let's move on to our quickfire questions. True or false.

Ursula Marchioni: Okay first of all, is AI a bubble?

Tony Kim: False. There is a race for superintelligence, and the prize is very large. So no, it's not a bubble.

Ursula Marchioni: Will humanoid robots replace humans by the end of the decade?

Tony Kim: Replace humans? No - false. But it will, we will see the beginnings of, humanoids becoming, not mainstream, but the beginnings of it in manufacturing and potentially even some in the home. But by 2030, mainstream - false.

Ursula Marchioni: So AI CapEx is it going to slow down as we reach the end of 2025 and move into 2026 - True or false?

Tony Kim: The answer is false. The, path to AGI is clear. The amount of compute and spend commensurate with that, is very clear. The prize of AGI is too large. Companies will not be cutting back this year or next year.

Ursula Marchioni: Will we achieve AGI by 2030 - true or false?

Tony Kim: I believe true. The top AGI labs and the companies building the foundation models are in a race. And there is the prize, as I mentioned, is very large. And the advancements with compute and algorithmic advancements will, I believe somebody, will achieve AGI by 2030.

Ursula Marchioni: Thank you so much Tony for being with us on the CIO Pulse.

Tony Kim: Thank you very much for having me.

¹Source: Factset Data as of January 31st, 2025. 'Technology industry' includes both Information Technology and Communication Services GICS sectors within the S&P 500.² Bloomberg returns data as of January 31, 2025.

Disclaimers & risk wording

This document is marketing material: Before investing please read the Prospectus and the PRIIPs KID available on www.blackrock.com/it, which contain a summary of investors’ rights.

Risk Warnings

Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.

Important Information

This material is for distribution to Professional Clients (as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority or MiFID Rules) only and should not be relied upon by any other persons.

This document is marketing material.

In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.

In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20-549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.

In Italy: For information on investor rights and how to raise complaints please go to https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/investor-right available in Italian.

For investors in Switzerland

For professional clients and qualified investors only.

This document shall be exclusively made available to, and directed at, qualified investors as defined in Article 10 (3) of the CISA of 23 June 2006, as amended, at the exclusion of qualified investors with an opting-out pursuant to Art. 5 (1) of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services ('FinSA').

For information on art. 8 / 9 Financial Services Act (FinSA) and on your client segmentation under art. 4 FinSA, please see the following website: www.blackrock.com/finsa.

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