Multi Asset Strategies & Solutions

Global Tactical Asset Allocation (GTAA)

BlackRock’s Global Tactical Asset Allocation (GTAA) team strives to capitalize on situations where markets inaccurately price macro fundamentals. Backed by a robust investment process, our GTAA team helps institutions around the globe meet their investment objectives.

What is Tactical Asset Allocation?

Tactical asset allocation (TAA) is a multi-asset investment approach that encompasses a range of top-down macro investment strategies. The primary objective of tactical asset allocation is to deliver excess returns to a portfolio via asset allocation (at the asset class, country, and/or sector level) rather than through individual security selection. The investment horizon for a TAA manager typically ranges from 3 months to 1 year.

A TAA portfolio manager actively allocates across assets according to their assessment of opportunities and risks in the prevailing market environment. TAA mandates have flexibility on multiple dimensions, enabling managers to continuously and dynamically shift positions across various asset classes and instruments. TAA seeks to deliver attractive risk-adjusted returns while managing risk and potentially controlling drawdowns.

Macro news is everywhere – economy, finance & politics. We all spend a lot of time staying on top of it. We know that it impacts financial markets, but how can you determine the signal from the noise?

Markets are smart but they’re not always efficient at incorporating information into asset prices. Our team has developed a process to identify macro drivers influencing economies, combining this with a deep understanding of market pricing to capitalize on dislocations.

We have created tools to uncover true trends in growth, inflation, and policy both globally and across regions, countries, and sectors - developing a nuanced and profound understanding beyond headline numbers.

Using sophisticated techniques, we merge human insight with rigorous data science, leveraging both structured and unstructured data sources.

Understanding market pricing is crucial. We use a diverse mosaic of data and tools to identify dislocations, because trading on even the most accurate forecasts won't generate performance if markets have already priced them in.

Tactical asset allocation (TAA) tends to be an underutilized alpha strategy in portfolios.

TAA is a top-down process that adjusts broad portfolio positions in stocks, bonds, cash, and more granular exposures across regions, countries, sectors, and currencies.

Investors can use TAA to diversify across time horizons. Our 3-12 month insights complement returns from long-term strategic asset allocations.

TAA alpha is also typically lowly correlated with returns from individual stock and bond selection strategies, making it a valuable source for generating consistent active return streams in a portfolio.

Important Notes

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Neither asset allocation nor diversification can guarantee profit or prevent loss.

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.

The information contained in this communication is derived from internal and/or third-party data considered by BlackRock to be reliable, but it is not necessarily all inclusive, its accuracy and completeness is not guaranteed and it may be subject to change. This material is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offeror solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and nonproprietary sources deemed by BlackRock to be reliable, are not necessarily all-inclusive and are not guaranteed as to accuracy. There is no guarantee that any of these views will come to pass. BlackRock does not guarantee the suitability or potential value of any particular investment. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader.

The opinions and estimates offered constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice, as are statements of financial market trends, which are based on current market conditions. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice. You should consult your tax or legal advisor regarding such matters.

This material may contain “forward-looking” information that is not purely historical in nature. Such information may include, among other things, projections, forecasts, estimates of yields or returns, and proposed or expected portfolio composition. No representation is made that the performance presented will be achieved by any asset allocation or investment, or that every assumption made in achieving, calculating or presenting either the forward-looking information or the historical performance information herein has been considered or stated in preparing this material. Any changes to assumptions that may have been made in preparing this material could have a material impact on the investment returns that are presented herein by way of example.

In U.S.: For Institutional Use Only; Not For Public Distribution

In Canada, this material is intended for institutional investors, is for educational purposes only, does not constitute investment advice and should not be construed as a solicitation or offering of units of any fund or other security in any jurisdiction. Investors should read the relevant offering documents carefully including the investment objective and risk factors relating to the product before investing.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE PROPRIETARY IN NATURE AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, COPIED OR DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT OF BLACKROCK, INC. (“BLACKROCK”).

© 2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a trademark of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.

MASSH0624U/M-3648581

Macro news is everywhere – economy, finance & politics. We all spend a lot of time staying on top of it. We know that it impacts financial markets, but how can you determine the signal from the noise?

Markets are smart but they’re not always efficient at incorporating information into asset prices. Our team has developed a process to identify macro drivers influencing economies, combining this with a deep understanding of market pricing to capitalize on dislocations.

We have created tools to uncover true trends in growth, inflation, and policy both globally and across regions, countries, and sectors - developing a nuanced and profound understanding beyond headline numbers.

Using sophisticated techniques, we merge human insight with rigorous data science, leveraging both structured and unstructured data sources.

Understanding market pricing is crucial. We use a diverse mosaic of data and tools to identify dislocations, because trading on even the most accurate forecasts won't generate performance if markets have already priced them in.

Tactical asset allocation (TAA) tends to be an underutilized alpha strategy in portfolios.

TAA is a top-down process that adjusts broad portfolio positions in stocks, bonds, cash, and more granular exposures across regions, countries, sectors, and currencies.

Investors can use TAA to diversify across time horizons. Our 3-12 month insights complement returns from long-term strategic asset allocations.

TAA alpha is also typically lowly correlated with returns from individual stock and bond selection strategies, making it a valuable source for generating consistent active return streams in a portfolio.

Important Notes

Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Neither asset allocation nor diversification can guarantee profit or prevent loss.

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.

The information contained in this communication is derived from internal and/or third-party data considered by BlackRock to be reliable, but it is not necessarily all inclusive, its accuracy and completeness is not guaranteed and it may be subject to change. This material is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offeror solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and nonproprietary sources deemed by BlackRock to be reliable, are not necessarily all-inclusive and are not guaranteed as to accuracy. There is no guarantee that any of these views will come to pass. BlackRock does not guarantee the suitability or potential value of any particular investment. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader.

The opinions and estimates offered constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice, as are statements of financial market trends, which are based on current market conditions. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice. You should consult your tax or legal advisor regarding such matters.

This material may contain “forward-looking” information that is not purely historical in nature. Such information may include, among other things, projections, forecasts, estimates of yields or returns, and proposed or expected portfolio composition. No representation is made that the performance presented will be achieved by any asset allocation or investment, or that every assumption made in achieving, calculating or presenting either the forward-looking information or the historical performance information herein has been considered or stated in preparing this material. Any changes to assumptions that may have been made in preparing this material could have a material impact on the investment returns that are presented herein by way of example.

In U.S.: For Institutional Use Only; Not For Public Distribution

In Canada, this material is intended for institutional investors, is for educational purposes only, does not constitute investment advice and should not be construed as a solicitation or offering of units of any fund or other security in any jurisdiction. Investors should read the relevant offering documents carefully including the investment objective and risk factors relating to the product before investing.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE PROPRIETARY IN NATURE AND MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, COPIED OR DISTRIBUTED WITHOUT THE PRIOR CONSENT OF BLACKROCK, INC. (“BLACKROCK”).

© 2024 BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a trademark of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.

MASSH0624U/M-3648581

Why Tactical Asset Allocation

Macro tactical asset allocation strategies capitalize on the divergence across global economies, add nimbleness to portfolios and seek to deliver uncorrelated returns to complement existing long-term strategies.

We believe skillful investors can generate returns from TAA by exploiting:

  • Market segmentation and structural impediments
  • Information, processing, and behavioral asymmetries
  • Non-alpha seeking market participants
  • Dispersion between markets and asset classes

Heightened asset class volatility creates opportunities for tactical investors

chart of best and worst performing equity return amongst the MSCI All Country World Index

As of 12/31/2023. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Indices are unmanaged and it is not possible to invest directly in an index. Top and bottom countries representative of the best and worst performing country index within the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) for the respective quarter. Measured from Tactical Opportunities strategy inception date 7/1/2016.

Why BlackRock for GTAA?

BlackRock’s Global Tactical Asset Allocation (GTAA) team is a $44 billion1 platform with a 15+ year track record of implementing highly diversified tactical portfolios for both institutional and retail clients.

Our GTAA team offers customized strategies investing across asset classes, countries and sectors within a tactical investment horizon using a data-intensive, top-down macroeconomic investment process.

The intersection of macro data & market pricing

Our innovative approach seeks to exploit the disconnect between market pricing and macroeconomic fundamentals.

Building portfolios

We build portfolios based on three key macro drivers and market pricing, employing discretionary and systematic approaches.

Alpha generation

GTAA seeks to generate alpha through a robust, data-driven macroeconomic research process.

Flexible investment strategy

Flexible investment strategy across geographies, asset classes and potential alpha sources as well as client objectives and implementation considerations.

Our investment frameworks

Bespoke investment strategies for institutions

We offer a range of multi-asset strategies to meet client needs.

  Multi-asset solutions Liquid alternative solutions
 Objective Excess return above benchmark Excess return above Cash
 Active risk 1-4% 6-12%
 Implementation Separately managed accounts
Fund-of-one
Separately managed accounts
Fund-of-one
Commingled Vehicles
 Illustrative client need  “We seek a partner to improve risk-adjusted returns versus our SAA, within custom guidelines and constraints”  “We need to be more nimble and generate uncorrelated alpha in a capital efficient strategy”

For illustrative purposes only. Strategies and active risk targets depend upon a variety of factors, including prevailing market conditions and investment availability. There is no guarantee that they will be achieved.

Meet BlackRock’s GTAA team

The GTAA team includes 15 individuals dedicated exclusively on macro investing, located in 6 cities across the globe, allowing the team to tap into BlackRock’s expertise across asset classes and geographies using the latest market developments, macro insights and market pricing.

Phil Green
Managing Director, Head of Global Tactical Asset Allocation team

FAQs about TAA

  • Strategic asset allocation (SAA) focuses on creating a portfolio aligned with an investors long-term goals and risk tolerance. Tactical asset allocation (TAA) seeks to generate excess returns for investors by adjusting portfolio allocations to take advantage of changing market conditions.

  • Tactical asset allocation strategies will adjust the equity, fixed income, or currency positioning within a portfolio to take advantage of perceived opportunities. Investors look for opportunities over a shorter timeframe than strategic asset allocation and benefit from the ability to quickly adapt portfolios.

  • Macro volatility will likely continue for years to come and tactical macro teams, like GTAA, are well positioned to take advantage of these dispersions.

Interested in learning more about tactical asset allocation?

Contact our institutional team to learn more about multi-asset strategies

Please click here to opt-in to receiving insight emails from BlackRock. Any data collected will be processed according to BlackRock's privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.

*Required information | Read our Privacy policy

Thank you for reaching out!

A BlackRock representative will reach out shortly. In the meantime, explore our website to read insights on the markets, portfolio design and more.


Explore our insights hub