A world in transition

BLACKROCK FUTURE FORUM

Explore below to watch investors Rick Rieder and Ray Dalio provide perspectives on today's market dynamics, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry share insights on climate policy, and investment experts provide their views on opportunities stemming from the net zero transition and the post pandemic economy.

BEYOND THE MONETARY TOOLKIT

Key takeaways

01

Real assets have the potential to protect against inflation

With inflation risk rising, real assets may help investors protect against a decline in purchasing power. Infrastructure can likewise serve as a hedge against inflation while also boosting returns, while also being lowly correlated to real assets.

02

China can no longer be ignored by U.S. investors

As China continues its rise to an economic superpower, it claims its spot next to the U.S. as one of the top two global technology centers. For investors wanting exposure to new technologies and post pandemic growth, Chinese assets are rapidly becoming a must-have element in diversified portfolios going forward.

03

Technology investments differentiate winners across sectors

Technology investments were a key determiner of how companies weathered the pandemic disruption. Companies that continue to spend on technology over the next several years will be better positioned to outperform, while the companies providing technology services will see massive expansion.

A year and a half after the start of the pandemic, liquidity remains elevated, corporate margins are at all-time highs and the job market is going through one of its strongest periods ever. However, supply chain disruptions, rising energy costs and looming inflation risks concern many. To make sense to how investors should be incorporating these themes and many more into their portfolios, BlackRock brought together two legendary investors, to reflect on today's markets from a historical perspective and the opportunities going forward.

We're in an era with more revolutionary technology development than ever before.

Ray Dalio Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-CIO of Bridgewater Associates

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ACHIEVING NET ZERO: THE PATH AHEAD

Key takeaways

01

There are two critical players in the net-zero transition

The six largest American banks have already contributed more than US$4 trillion to help accelerate the transition to net-zero. It will take a similar amount annually to meet global emissions goals by 2050, and the private sector, alongside the public sector, will need to help fill funding gaps to drive this transformation.

02

New technologies will enable climate breakthroughs

The innovations in new green technologies will drive economic activity and growth on par with the Industrial Revolution. Companies that develop commercially scaled battery storage, green hydrogen, direct air capture or other technologies will lead the way.

03

Traditional energy companies will play an important role

Traditional energy companies have committed big portions of their large R&D budgets to develop clean energy and carbon capture technologies. To hit ambitious emissions targets, investors will need to support these companies as they help drive the revolution to a sustainable and clean energy future.

The race to achieve a net-zero economy is gaining traction around the globe. Already, countries responsible for over half of global GDP have committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, including the U.S., the E.U. and Japan. Reaching net-zero goals will require significant partnerships from individuals and institutions. We spoke to John Kerry and two BlackRock investing professionals about the role of governments, corporations and investors in accelerating the transition to a green economy.

Every day that goes by that we do not address this is a market destabilizer, it's a threat multiplier, it could wind up with costs to all of us that eclipse anything that we've imagined.

John Kerry U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate