BlackRock BLK CEO Larry Fink is offering a forthright take on what to expect in 2025. Speaking at the RBC Capital Markets Global Financial Institutions Conference in New York on March 4, he predicted a volatile year ahead but reassured investors that “the world's fine” and that long-term growth opportunities remain strong.

Short-Term Volatility, Long-Term Optimism

Fink acknowledged that 2025 will be full of uncertainty, pointing to inflation, market fluctuations, and shifting global trade policies. “Let me just start off and say the world's fine. I mean, [there’s] a lot of noise, we'll get by this. The United States will get by all the, I would say, social tensions between two opposing groups, we'll get by that,” he said, adding that “It's not as bad as it was in the '60s here in the United States. And I'm tired of having people say, have you ever seen anything like this before?”

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He believes that new technologies, shifting trade policies, and economic adjustments will create opportunities despite the turbulence. “We’re getting set up for a big economic boom. A lot of it's going to be related to new technologies, new science, which will present new opportunities,” he said.

Investing Through The Storm

Despite the expected volatility, Fink sees market dips as a chance to invest. “For long-term investors, if there's a big dip, good. Good time to buy,” he stated.

BlackRock is putting its money where its mouth is, expanding aggressively into private markets and infrastructure. The firm raised $641 billion in new flows last year and has acquired 43 ports from Hutchison Whampoa for $22 billion. It has also completed key acquisitions in infrastructure and private credit, with plans for more.

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The Role of AI and Technology

Fink highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence, calling it “very deflationary” in the long run. He pointed to its potential in industries like healthcare, logistics, and finance, but acknowledged its high costs are limiting broad adoption for now.

“AI right now is still the domain of large companies because the cost associated with AI is extraordinary,” he said. However, he expects those costs to decline, making AI more accessible and further fueling innovation.

Europe's Surprising Comeback

While the U.S. remains a powerhouse, Fink pointed to Europe as an emerging bright spot. “Europe has been in a bad trajectory for ten, twelve years,” he said. But now, with increased defense spending and renewed economic responsibility, he sees potential. “Europe has a real opportunity to truly start growing again.”

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Labor Shortages and Job Creation

Fink also warned about labor shortages, particularly in skilled trades. “We are going to have shortages in this country and in every other country of electricians. Just the building out of these data centers, the amount of electricians we need… these are incredible jobs,” he said.

While AI and automation will disrupt certain industries, he stressed that human interaction jobs, like nursing, will remain essential.

Fink's message is that 2025 will be tough, but those who stay invested could see strong returns. “This is going to be a rocky year in 2025, I would say for the markets as we try to get reoriented,” he admitted, but he remains confident that “the world and the U.S. will get by.”

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