254: Alternative Investing: Finding Diversification in Volatile AI-driven Markets

Alternative investing is moving from a niche allocation to a core portfolio conversation. As volatility returns, interest rates reset higher, AI accelerates capital spending, and fiscal deficits expand, investors are reassessing what diversification really means. In a world where stocks and bonds can move together and macro forces dominate markets, traditional portfolio frameworks are under pressure. In this episode of The Bid , host Oscar Pulido revisits conversations with investors and strategists across BlackRock to explore why alternative investing is gaining renewed attention. From private equity, private credit, and infrastructure to hedge fund strategies, gold, and digital assets, the episode examines how alternatives are being used to broaden return drivers and navigate today’s regime shift in capital markets. The discussion highlights how structural megaforces — including AI buildout, geopolitical fragmentation, and fiscal expansion — are reshaping opportunity sets. Private markets offer exposure to long-duration capital themes and potential illiquidity premia, though with liquidity tradeoffs and manager dispersion. Hedge fund strategies aim to capture rising market dispersion through flexible long/short and systematic approaches. Infrastructure sits at the center of AI-driven energy demand and essential services. Meanwhile, gold and digital assets are increasingly viewed as monetary alternatives with distinct risk-return profiles. As portfolio construction evolves beyond the traditional 60/40 model, alternative investing is becoming part of a broader shift toward expanding diversification tools in volatile markets. Check out the previous episodes featured in this episode in this playlist on Alternative Investments: Key insights from this episode: 00:00 Introduction 01:08 Why traditional diversification has become harder in AI-driven markets 03:22 Defining Alternative Investing 04:00 How private markets have grown — and what tradeoffs they introduce 06:04 Infrastructure The AI Buildout: Where infrastructure investing connects to AI and energy demand 08:37 Liquid Alternatives & Hedge Fund Strategies 12:12 Systematic Alpha In Volatility 13:36 How gold and digital assets fit into the evolving diversification toolkit 18:38 Rethinking Portfolio Mix 19:22 Wrap Up And Next Episode Alternative investing explained, private equity, private credit, hedge fund strategies, infrastructure investing, AI capital spending, portfolio diversification, 60/40 portfolio shift, digital assets, bitcoin investing, gold investing, capital markets outlook, alternative investing This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures . See Privacy Policy at and California Privacy Notice at .

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254: Alternative Investing: Finding Diversification in Volatile AI-driven Markets is an episode from The Bid by BlackRock.

This episode is 00:20:39 long.

This episode was published on Mar 20, 2026.

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