Inflation and investing are once again front and center as markets assess a new mix of price pressures. In this Ask Me Anything episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido is joined by Helen Jewell, BlackRock’s International Chief Investment Officer for Fundamental Equities, and Tom Becker, senior portfolio manager on BlackRock’s Global Tactical Asset Allocation team.
Together, they explore what is driving inflation today, from AI infrastructure demand and energy bottlenecks to fiscal spending, supply constraints, and regional differences. The conversation examines how inflation is affecting capital markets, equities, fixed income, stock market trends, and portfolio diversification.
This episode also looks at the role of AI as both a near-term inflationary force and a potential longer-term productivity driver. As AI investing accelerates demand for electricity, chips, copper, data centers, and infrastructure, investors are watching how these megaforces reshape markets and the global economy.
Key insights:
· How AI infrastructure demand is contributing to inflation pressures
· Why inflation differs across regions, including the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China
· Where pricing power matters most for companies and sectors
· How inflation measures like CPI, PCE, and PPI inform market views
· Why sticky inflation can challenge traditional stock-bond diversification
· How investors can think about inflation across equities, bonds, and multi-asset portfolios
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Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction: Why Inflation Matters
02:57 Supply Demand Basics
04:57 From Pandemic To Now
07:26 Inflation By Region
09:19 Equity Winners Losers
13:24 Which Inflation Metrics
15:23 AI And Macro Inflation
17:24 AI Bottlenecks Plays
18:58 Fixed Income And 60 40
21:03 Key Takeaways
Sources: “Harry Styles Ticket Prices Spark Outrage Among Fans”, Forbes, 2026; BlackRock Fundamental Equities, June 2026, based on analysis of company statements; Blackrock Fundamental Equities, June 2026, based on data from the UK Office of National Statistics
Inflation and investing, sticky inflation, AI infrastructure, fixed income, equities, portfolio diversification, capital markets, stock market trends
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