Thematic investing is an approach which focuses on predicted long-term trends rather than specific companies or sectors, enabling investors to access big, structural changes that affect investing now - and far in the future. At the centre of BlackRock's Thematic investing philosophy lies five mega forces: demographic divergence, digital disruption and AI, a fragmenting world, future of finance and the low carbon transition. As key drivers of the new regime of greater macroeconomic and market volatility, they change the long-term growth and inflation outlook and are poised to create big shifts in profitability across economies and sectors. This creates major opportunities - and risks - for investors.
WHAT IS THEMATIC INVESTING?
Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Video 01:35
5 MEGA FORCES
We have identified five mega forces that we believe are shaping the future and propelling the world into a new economic era. We believe these present profound opportunities, and risks, for all investors.
The global economy is ever evolving, and the pace of change is accelerating. We believe the future is being shaped today by five mega forces or seismic shifts that are rapidly propelling the world into a new economic era. Demographics could have profound implications as the developed world ages and selecting emerging markets experience a youth boom. Geopolitics intensify, reshaping global supply chains amid heightened tensions between economic superpowers.
The Low Carbon Transition spurs a massive reallocation of capital with global investment in energy and infrastructure. Artificial Intelligence becomes the new bedrock of corporate productivity, potentially revolutionising work and resource allocation. The Future of Finance could rapidly alter how we buy, borrow, transact and seek returns. We believe these five mega-forces present opportunities and risks for all investors. With iShares thematics ETFs, investors can harness these long-term forces and position their portfolios to be ready for the future.
Discover more insights from iShares.
Disclosures:
This document is marketing material: Before investing, please read the Prospectus and the PRIIPs KID available on www.blackrock.com/it, which contain a summary of investors’ rights.
Risk Warnings
Capital at risk. The value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise and are not guaranteed. Investors may not get back the amount originally invested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results and should not be the sole factor of consideration when selecting a product or strategy.
Changes in the rates of exchange between currencies may cause the value of investments to diminish or increase. Fluctuation may be particularly marked in the case of a higher volatility fund and the value of an investment may fall suddenly and substantially. Levels and basis of taxation may change from time to time and depend on personal individual circumstances.
Important Information
This material is for distribution to Professional Clients (as defined by the Financial Conduct Authority or MiFID Rules) only and should not be relied upon by any other persons.
In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel: + 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.
In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V., authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20-549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.
In Italy: For information on investor rights and how to raise complaints please go to https://www.blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/investor-right available in Italian.
For investors in Switzerland: This document shall be exclusively made available to, and directed at, qualified investors as defined in Article 10 (3) of the CISA of 23 June 2006, as amended, at the exclusion of qualified investors with an opting-out pursuant to Art. 5 (1) of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services ("FinSA"). For information on art. 8 / 9 Financial Services Act (FinSA) and on your client segmentation under art. 4 FinSA, please see the following website: https://www.blackrock.com/ch/individual/en/compliance/financial-services-act.
Any research in this document has been procured and may have been acted on by BlackRock for its own purpose. The results of such research are being made available only incidentally. The views expressed do not constitute investment or any other advice and are subject to change. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any company in the BlackRock Group or any part thereof and no assurances are made as to their accuracy.
This document is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to anyone to invest in any BlackRock funds and has not been prepared in connection with any such offer.
© 2025 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights reserved. BLACKROCK, BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS and iSHARES are trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.
FIVE MEGA FORCES SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Digital disruption and artificial Intelligence (AI)
Technologies transforming how we live and work.
A fragmented world
Globalisation is being rewired as the world splits into competing blocks.
Transition to a low-carbon economy
The transition is set to spur a massive capital reallocation as energy systems are rewired.
Demographic divergence
The world is split between aging advanced economies and younger emerging markets – with different implications.
Future of finance
A fast-evolving financial architecture is changing how households and companies use cash, borrow, transact and seek returns.