Strong Earnings Remain the Key Counterweight to Higher Interest Rates

• Markets are increasingly pricing a scenario where inflation remains sticky and policy rates stay elevated, placing greater importance on earnings growth as the primary support for equity valuations.
• The AI buildout remains the dominant earnings driver. BlackRock notes that technology-sector earnings growth has significantly outpaced the broader market, supported by sustained investment in data centers, semiconductors and AI infrastructure.
• The firm remains overweight U.S. equities and selective emerging-market exposures, while maintaining a cautious stance toward long-duration government bonds due to persistent inflation risks and rising term premia.

Read the full commentary for a deeper assessment of AI-driven earnings growth, interest-rate risks and BlackRock’s current tactical and strategic positioning.