undefined | BlackRock rips page from hedge fund playbook, applies it to exchange-traded funds BlackRock is bringing hedge‑fund techniques into its exchange‑traded fund business, focusing on liquid‑alternatives ETFs that employ market‑neutral, long‑short strategies. Senior portfolio manager Jeffrey Rosenberg explained that these “alts” give investors a way to diversify beyond the traditional bond‑stock relationship, which has weakened in recent market turmoil. According to the firm’s website, BlackRock’s iShares Systematic Alternatives Active ETF (IALT) is up almost 8 percent year‑to‑date, while the iShares Managed Futures Active ETF (ISMF) has gained nearly 5 percent. Rosenberg said demand for liquid‑alternatives is rising because investors want “diversifiers of diversifiers” that can generate returns independent of market direction. He highlighted the concentration risk in equity portfolios, which are now dominated by a handful of large‑cap tech winners, and argued that liquid‑alternatives can restore diversification and add value to portfolio construction. The approach challenges the classic 60‑40 fixed‑income versus equities mix, especially in a post‑COVID environment where that correlation has broken down. Industry observers, such as VettaFi’s Todd Rosenbluth, note that liquid‑alternatives ETFs remain a relatively small segment compared with traditional equity and fixed‑income funds, but they are gaining attention from advisors seeking assets that “zag when the market zigs.” The emerging category is positioned to help investors navigate market volatility by providing alternative sources of return that are not tied to overall market movements. Read more: undefined #blackrock #ishares