242: 2026 Outlook: Pushing Limits

AI-driven investment, rising leverage and shifting market dynamics are reshaping the 2026 stock market outlook. As companies accelerate spending on data centers, chips and digital infrastructure, micro-level decisions are increasingly influencing the capital markets and broader economy. In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido speaks with Jean Boivin, Head of the BlackRock Investment Institute, about the major forces shaping the 2026 markets and investing landscape. Jean breaks down how AI-related capital expenditure is transforming growth patterns, why governments and companies may need to leverage up to finance large-scale projects, and how these trends interact with today’s policy and market environment. They also explore the diversification mirage — the idea that in an economy driven by a few powerful megaforces, some strategies that appear diversified may actually be concentrated calls. Jean shares how this affects views on regional equity markets, fixed income trends and the evolving structure of global investing. 🔗 Check out this Spotify playlist for more on the AI growth story: Key moments in this episode: 00:00 Introducing AI's Unprecedented Growth in 2025 and Beyond 01:11 Introduction to the 2026 Global Outlook 02:04 Three Big Market Themes for 2026 03:33 AI's Dominance and Economic Impact 05:39 Is AI in a Bubble? 09:44 Leveraging Up: Financing the AI Boom 12:30 Diversification Mirage in the AI Era 15:06 Future of Finance: Private Credit and Digital Innovation 17:30 Investment Opportunities Beyond AI 19:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🔗 Watch and

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242: 2026 Outlook: Pushing Limits is an episode from The Bid by BlackRock.

This episode is 00:20:51 long.

This episode was published on Dec 5, 2025.

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