Three key ETF themes to watch in 2026, according to BlackRock's Jacobs

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  January 05, 2026 at 18:46  |  2:21  |  CNBC
Speakers
Jay Jacobs — US Head of Equity ETFs, BlackRock
Dom Chu — Host, ETF Edge

Summary

Jay Jacobs of BlackRock discusses his 2026 ETF playbook with CNBC's Dom Chu, highlighting three broad investor needs: growth, income, and diversification. He points to AI as the main growth theme, covered call ETFs as an income solution, and Bitcoin, gold, and silver as diversifiers. He also highlights the newly launched iShares alternative ETF IALT for multi-strategy diversification in one ticker.

  • Jay Jacobs, BlackRock's U.S. head of equity ETFs, outlines 2026 ETF themes.
  • Growth focus centers on artificial intelligence and BlackRock's AI ETF.
  • Income demand is tied to baby boomer retirements and possible rate cuts; covered call ETFs are highlighted.
  • Diversification ideas include Bitcoin, gold, and silver as assets that do not behave like stocks and bonds.
  • BlackRock's IALT is presented as a multi-strategy alternative ETF packaging alternative return sources in one ticker.
  • The segment is an ETF Edge interview on CNBC's Halftime Report.
Ideas
Jay Jacobs US Head of Equity ETFs, BlackRock 1:17
AI is the top 2026 growth theme.
Artificial intelligence is the main growth opportunity for ETF investors in 2026. BlackRock's AI ETF is designed to pick winners and losers within AI, offering targeted exposure to the AI theme.
AI-SECTOR MED
Jay Jacobs US Head of Equity ETFs, BlackRock 1:27
Covered calls for retirement income demand.
Baby boomer retirements and likely rate cuts are increasing demand for income. Covered call strategies inside ETFs can generate more income while still giving investors exposure to equity upside.
Covered Call ETFs MED
Jay Jacobs US Head of Equity ETFs, BlackRock 1:36
Bitcoin, gold, silver diversify stock-bond portfolios.
If volatility rises, investors need better diversification. Bitcoin, gold, and silver are unique assets that do not behave like stocks and bonds, so they can serve as portfolio diversifiers.
BTC GLD SILVER MED
Jay Jacobs US Head of Equity ETFs, BlackRock 1:54
IALT packages alternative return sources.
BlackRock launched IALT, an iShares alternative ETF that seeks to package multiple sources of alternative returns—macro bets, micro bets, and different asset classes—into one ticker for simple diversification.
IALT MED
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This CNBC video, published January 05, 2026, features Jay Jacobs discussing AI-SECTOR, Covered Call ETFs, BTC, GLD, SILVER, IALT. 4 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Jay Jacobs  · Tickers: AI-SECTOR, Covered Call ETFs, BTC, GLD, SILVER, IALT