Grow with equities

Equity strategies for today

Get started with these investment ideas from BlackRock’s active equity platform to help your clients reach their goals.

Image-1,Source-1,Multi Column Teaser-1
Related Materials-1,Image Cta-1
Related Materials-2,Data Value Pair-1
Image Cta-2,Data Value Pair-2

BlackRock Unconstrained Equity Fund

alister-equities
BlackRock’s largest hedge fund manager

MAEGX is managed by Alister Hibbert, who runs BlackRock’s largest hedge fund. MAEGX is a component of the long position inside this hedge fund.

Unconstrained

As security-level dispersion has increased, the team can invest in their best ideas without benchmark constraints.

High conviction

A portfolio of 20 – 30 stocks with 90% active share and 2/3rds of alpha ‘stock specific’ (not explained by factors).

Source: Morningstar as of 3/31/2024. Rated against 322 Global Large-Stock Growth Funds based on risk adjusted total return. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its 3 - year, 5- year, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. Ratings are based on risk-adjusted total returns are determined monthly and are subject to change. Morningstar Rating are for the I share class only; other classes may have different performance characteristics. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The ratings for respective periods as well as the full methodology are included in “Important notes” section. PM inception 3/1/2022. Since PM inception of 3/1/2022, the Fund was ranked 4/364 funds. Morningstar Category: Global Large Cap Growth. Rankings are based on total return excluding sales charges, independently calculated and not combined to create an overall ranking.

Active Share measures the percentage of fund holdings that is different from the benchmark holdings at a point in time. It is calculated by taking the sum of the absolute value of the differences of the weight of each holding in a fund’s portfolio versus the weight of each holding in a benchmark index and dividing by two. Turnover and number of holdings are indicative and subject to change.

1 Overall Morningstar Rating for Unconstrained Equity Fund as of Mar 31, 2024 rated against 322 Global Large-Stock Growth Funds.

2 Morningstar has awarded the Fund a Silver medal. (Effective Jun 21, 2023).

3 Analyst Driven % is the analyst input into the overall rating assignment, including direct analyst coverage and inheritance of an analyst-rated pillar. Data Coverage % is available input data for rating calculation at the Pillar level.

4 Multiple 3Y, 5Y and 10Y Lipper Awards. The Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers.

The Morningstar RatingTM for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods.

BlackRock provides compensation in connection with obtaining or using third-party ratings, rankings, or data.

The performance quoted represents past performance of specific funds and does not guarantee future results for such funds. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by visiting www.blackrock.com.

Unconstrained Equity Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 5 stars for the 3-year period, 5 stars for the 5-year period and 3 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 322, 279 and 188 Global Large-Stock Growth Funds, respectively. Performance results represent past performance and are no guarantee of future results.

Standardized performance and performance data current to the most recent month-end may be obtained by clicking on the fund names above.

BlackRock’s fundamental approach in equities

BlackRock Fundamental Equities (FE) is a world-class active investing organization committed to applying our Expert Insight to power our portfolios. FE teams build portfolios company by company, digging deep to assess the core merits of individual businesses to gain a thorough, first-hand understanding of their long-term potential.
Magnifier Icon
Company-level engagement and expertise
Rigorous research and selection process leads to thoroughly vetted, high-conviction investments - and portfolios that can offer returns differentiated from indexes
Arrow Icon
Investment flexibility
Ability to exercise discretion and react to changing market conditions allows fundamental investors to nimbly capture opportunities and manage risks as they arise
Diversification Icon
Enhanced diversification and return potential
Powerful complement to index strategies, helping to enhance return outcomes, diversify risk and target long-term objectives
Shield Icon
“Always-on” risk management
Embedded risk management tools and technology to ensure risks taken are deliberate, diversified and properly scaled

Taking stock: Q2 2024 equity market outlook

A strong start historically has signaled a positive year for stocks. How does an election shape that outlook? CIO of BlackRock Fundamental Equities, Tony DeSpirito, weighs in.
tony-despirito

Learn about BlackRock’s Systematic Investment Platform

Systematic investing, often called quantitative investing, is an investment approach that emphasizes data-driven insights, scientific testing of investment ideas, and advanced computer modelling techniques to construct portfolios.

BlackRock’s systematic strategies are designed to deliver investment solutions for the whole portfolio. They are built on the underlying principle of leveraging data and technology to seek differentiated excess returns, diversification, and robust risk management—all at a reasonable cost to investors.

$209
billions of AUM across equities, fixed income, and alternatives
35
years of track record innovation in systematic investing
300
unstructured data sources utilized
700
alpha signals helping to drive investment insights
220
people including investment experts and technologists
45
global developed and emerging markets covered

Source: BlackRock as of 12/31/2023

Invest abroad with International Dividend

International Dividend (BISIX) invests in the equity securities of international companies that pay attractive, sustainable and growing dividends with the aim of providing international equity returns with less volatility.
Containers images

Meet the team behind International Dividend

13,000
annual company interactions
8,000
annual research postings
1,800
BlackRock trading and risk management professionals
260
investment professionals across 16 dedicated investment teams
8
data leads within the Fundamental Equities platform

BlackRock as of 1/1/2024

Explore active equity investment ideas

Sustained higher rates and elevated inflation calls advisors to rethink the way they have typically invested in equities over the past decade. Explore three areas of equity investing that can better position your clients’ portfolios for today.
Diamond
Quality
Higher quality equities tend to weather volatile environments better. Seek out companies with strong balance sheets, high cash flows, and low leverage.
International equities
International
International equities are gaining momentum as several factors such as a weaker dollar, China reopening and a lean towards value all benefit markets abroad.
Healthcare equities
Healthcare
Healthcare has been known for its quality holdings and stable cash flows, which has been able to provide greater downside protection amidst market uncertainty.

BlackRock’s active ETF and mutual funds lineup

Explore BlackRock’s full platform of active equity solutions to address your clients’ needs. 

Ticker Name ETF or mutual fund? Morningstar category Overall Morningstar Rating 1-yr Morningstar percentile ranking† 3-yr Morningstar percentile ranking† 5-yr Morningstar percentile ranking† 10-yr Morningstar percentile ranking†
U.S.
MADVX Equity Dividend Mutual fund Large value 4 39 62 47 30
MAFOX Large Cap Focus Growth Mutual fund Large growth 2 8 72 42 25
MARFX Mid-Cap Value Mutual fund Mid cap value 3 54 41 16 25
CMGIX Mid-Cap Growth Mutual fund Mid cap growth 2 10 72 49 7
BIRIX Sustainable Large Cap Core Mutual fund Large blend 3 38 50 17 N/A
BROIX Advantage International Mutual fund Foreign large blend 5 13 6 21 14
BLCV BlackRock Large Cap Value ETF ETF Large value N/A N/A N/A N/A
BALI BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Income ETF ETF Derivative Income N/A N/A N/A N/A
DYNF BlackRock U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF ETF Large blend 4 3 8 32 N/A
International/Emerging Markets
MADCX Emerging Markets Mutual fund Diversified EM 3 55 65 30 21
MAILX International Fund Mutual fund Foreign large blend 1 10 89 9 37
BISIX International Dividend Fund Mutual fund Foreign large blend 5 65 5 9 68
Thematics
SHSSX Health Sciences Opportunities Mutual fund Health 4 44 28 30 7
BGSIX Technology Opportunities Mutual fund Technology 2 43 68 32 32
Income
BMCIX High Equity Income Mutual fund Derivative Income 4 65 5 9 68

Overall Morningstar Ratings as of 3/31/2024. Ratings are based on risk adjusted total returns, are determined monthly and are subject to change.

Equity Dividend Fund rated against 1,118 Large Value Funds; Large Cap Focus Growth rated against 1,111 Large Growth Funds. Mid-Cap Value rated against 380 Mid-Cap Value Funds. Mid-Cap Growth rated against 520 Mid-Cap Growth Funds. Sustainable Advantage Large Cap Core rated against 1,293 US Large Blend funds. Advantage International rated against 696 Foreign Large Blends funds. U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF rated against 1,293 US Large Blends funds. Emerging Markets Fund rated against 721 Diversified Emerging Markets Funds. International Fund rated against 356 US Fund Foreign Large Blend funds. International Dividend rated against 696 Foreign Large Blend Funds. Health Sciences Opportunities Fund rated against 159 Health Funds. Technology Opportunities rated against 232 Technology Funds. High Equity Income rated against 79 Derivative Income Funds.

As of 3/31/2024, the Equity Dividend Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 3 stars for the 3-year period, 3 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 1,118, 1,058 and 816 Large Value Funds, respectively. The Large Cap Focus Growth Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 2 stars for the 3-year period, 3 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 1,111, 1,037 and 807 Large Growth Funds, respectively. Mid-Cap Value Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 3 stars for the 3-year period, 4 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 380, 363 and 281 Mid-Cap Value Funds, respectively. The Mid-Cap Growth Equity Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 2 stars for the 3-year period, 2 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 520, 489 and 393 Mid-Cap Growth Funds, respectively. The Sustainable Large Cap Core Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 3 stars for the 3-year period and 4 stars for the 5-year period, rated against 1,293 and 1,179 Large Blend Funds, respectively. The Advantage International received a Morningstar Rating of 5 stars for the 3-year period, 4 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 696, 646 and 425 US Foreign Large Blend Funds, respectively. The U.S. Equity Factor Rotation ETF received a Morningstar Rating of 4 stars for the 3-year period, 3 stars for the 5-year period and 0 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 1,293, 1,179 and 888 Diversified Emerging Mkts Funds, respectively. The Emerging Markets Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 2 stars for the 3-year period, 3 stars for the 5-year period and 425 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 721, 657 and 425 Diversified Emerging Mkts Funds, respectively. The International Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 2 star for the 3-year period, 4 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 356, 338 and 244 Foreign Large Blend Funds, respectively. The International Dividend received a Morningstar Rating of 5 stars for the 3-year period, 5 stars for the 5-year period and 3 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 696, 646 and 425 US Foreign Large Blend Funds, respectively. The Health Sciences Opportunities Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 4 stars for the 3-year period, 4 stars for the 5-year period and 5 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 159, 136 and 114 Health Funds, respectively. The Technology Opportunities Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 3 stars for the 3-year period, 3 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 232, 204 and 158 Technology Funds, respectively. The High Equity Income Fund received a Morningstar Rating of 3 stars for the 3-year period, 3 stars for the 5-year period and 4 stars for the 10-year period, rated against 79, 72 and 36 Options-based Funds, respectively.

Performance results represent past performance and are no guarantee of future results.

Performance data represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions and may be lower or higher when you sell your shares. Current performance may differ from the performance shown. For most recent month-end performance and standardized performance, click on the fund names above.

Source: Equity Dividend: 1 Year 674/1,204; 3 Year 808/1,118; 5 Year 479/1,058; 10 Year 193/816. Large Cap Focus Growth: 1 Year 108/1,191; 3 Year 595/1,111; 5 Year 439/1,037; 10 Year 135/807. Mid-Cap Value: 1 Year 282/399; 3 Year 198/380; 5 Year 57/363; 10 Year 83/281. Mid-Cap Growth Equity: 1 Year 230/549; 3 Year 330/520; 5 Year 299/489; 10 Year 37/393. Sustainable Advantage Large Cap Core: 1 Year 600/1,422; 3 Year 667/1,293; 5 Year 255/1,179; 10 Year /888. Advantage International: 1 Year 133/748; 3 Year 53/696; 5 Year 129/646; 10 Year 53/425. Emerging Markets: 1 Year 560/817; 3 Year 487/721; 5 Year 230/657; 10 Year 105/425. International Fund: 1 Year 99/370; 3 Year 264/356; 5 Year 57/338; 10 Year 55/244. International Dividend: 1 Year 664/748; 3 Year 41/696; 5 Year 113/646; 10 Year 260/425. Health Sciences Opportunities: 1 Year 70/178; 3 Year 52/159; 5 Year 34/136; 10 Year 4/114. Technology Opportunities: 1 Year 107/267; 3 Year 164/232; 5 Year 83/204; 10 Year 49/158. High Equity Income: 1 Year 50/95; 3 Year 26/79; 5 Year 27/72; 10 Year 7/36.

Rankings are based on total return excluding sales charges, independently calculated and not combined to create an overall ranking.

The Morningstar Rating for funds, or "star rating," is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods.

 

Expert insights from our active equity team

Read the latest from our BlackRock active portfolio managers and experts on what they’re seeing in the markets and advisor portfolios.