Host John Stepek speaks with Helen Jewell, International CIO of Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, about an unexpectedly strong year for global equity markets — one in which most regions outside the US outperformed. Jewell explains why widespread diversification, renewed strength in European banks, and accelerating demand for energy infrastructure—driven largely by AI—are shaping her outlook for 2026. She also highlights key risks, including investor complacency, and argues that selective opportunities in European quality growth and UK small caps remain compelling despite recent volatility. 

This interview was taped at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit at the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 4, 2025.

Host John Stepek speaks with Helen Jewell, International CIO of Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, about an unexpectedly strong year for global equity markets &mdash; one in which most regions outside the US outperformed. Jewell explains why widespread diversification, renewed strength in European banks, and accelerating demand for energy infrastructure&mdash;driven largely by AI&mdash;are shaping her outlook for 2026. She also highlights key risks, including investor complacency, and argues that selective opportunities in European quality growth and UK small caps remain compelling despite recent volatility. This interview was taped at the Edelman Smithfield Investor Summit at the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 4, 2025.

Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.

Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.

Merryn Talks Money

Why Europe’s Banks and Energy Stocks May Lead the Next Rally with Blackrock's Helen Jewell

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dfe0e79b-bdb5-4ce7-ba86-b3ac00e9e60a/transcript

Advertisement