217: How Does This Cycle of Tariff Market Volatility Compare to Historical Periods of Market Uncertainty? [April 23rd]

Global markets have been experiencing extraordinary volatility in response to the U.S. tariff pause announced on April 9th, a reflection of the uncertainty surrounding the economic and policy outlook. But similar to other unprecedented market moments in history, the investment strategies that work today may not apply tomorrow. So how can investors adapt their investment approach, when the familiar economic rulebook is thrown out?  

Rich Mathieson, a senior portfolio manager within the Systematic Active Equities team, a quantitative investment group at BlackRock will take us through some of the pivotal moments in history where uncertainty was a catalyst for transformation in the insights and strategies used by investors. He’ll share how that’s playing out in markets today, including how he is using data and techniques that can help investors cut through the headline noise.  

This episode was recorded on April 22nd and published April 23rd.

Check out the full series covering tariffs and market volatility on The Bid: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3iiZbbNz3eI08zXGZ4n3LI?si=TNiOrYRoSxyXVsbwsBs68Q

Key moments in this episode:

00:00 Introduction to Market Volatility and Impact of Tariff Policies

02:41 Unique Features of Current Market

06:29 Artificial Intelligence in Investing

08:14 Analyzing Trade Tensions

11:05 Current Market Environment

13:51 Investment Opportunities

15:43 Portfolio Construction Insights

17:20 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Sources: “Stocks Advance as Nvidia Closes at All-Time High: Markets Wrap”, Bloomberg January 2025; “Investors haven’t been this bearish in 30 years” Blooomberg, April 2025; “Is This The Brink Of The Recession We Have Yet To Have?” Bloomberg, April 2025; BlackRock Systematic, as of April 22, 2025. Comment references momentum and crowding signals; Bloomberg data for MSCI World Index performance, referencing performance during the month of April 2025; “As tariffs roil the markets, here's why some sectors are faring worse than others”, CBC News April 2025; “The Magnificent 7's lousy year, by the numbers”, CNBC, April 2025; Bloomberg, performance of S&P 500 Index for 2023 and 2024

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