233: How Active ETFs, Thematic Investing, and Market Dynamics Are Reshaping Portfolios - AMA with Jay Jacobs

ETFs are at the center of how investors are navigating today’s rapidly changing markets. From active ETFs to thematic strategies around megaforces like artificial intelligence and infrastructure, innovation in exchange-traded funds is reshaping how portfolios are built.

In this special Ask Me Anything edition of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido sits down with Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock, to answer questions submitted by listeners. Together, they explore the evolving ETF landscape and how investors can better position themselves in a volatile world. Jay also highlights the link between AI and infrastructure - noting that advances in artificial intelligence require massive investments in electricity, real estate, and supply chains. For investors, the message is clear: today’s portfolios must capture both enduring themes and defensive strategies.

Key insights include:

• The “be, beat, modify” equity framework for building portfolios: how core ETFs provide efficiency, active and thematic ETFs can aim to outperform, and outcome-oriented strategies offer risk management.
• Why factor investing (quality, value, momentum) demands a more tactical, systematic approach in 2025.
• The growing role of active ETFs as investors seek new sources of alpha in an era of lower expected returns.
• Why diversifying beyond U.S. equities and addressing concentration risk from mega-cap tech is increasingly important.
• How megaforces like AI, geopolitics, and infrastructure demand are reshaping equity markets and long-term investing themes.
• The role of gold and Bitcoin as portfolio diversifiers and monetary alternatives beyond traditional stocks and bonds.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Investor Interests in 2025

00:20 Ask Me Anything: Meet Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock

01:14 Understanding Equity Markets: Be, Beat, and Modify

04:00 Factor Exposures and Economic Environments

05:57 Geographical Diversification in Portfolios

07:54 The Role of Thematic Investing

09:58 Active ETFs vs. Mutual Funds

13:40 Exploring Alternative Asset Classes: Gold and Bitcoin

15:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Active ETFs, Thematic investing, Capital markets, Megaforces, AI investing, Infrastructure investing, Diversification, Stock market trends

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