Is This ETF Your Knight in Shining Armor?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 04 2024
0mins
Should l Buy BLK?
Source: WSJ
Growth of Investment Funds: Mutual funds and exchange-traded funds utilizing options contracts for loss protection while still allowing for gains have seen significant growth, increasing from 13 funds managing $3.8 billion in 2018 to 342 funds managing $108.3 billion recently.
Market Demand: The surge in these funds indicates a strong market demand for investment strategies that minimize risk while maximizing potential returns.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BLK?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BLK
Wall Street analysts forecast BLK stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1055.630
Low
1209
Averages
1354
High
1550
Current: 1055.630
Low
1209
Averages
1354
High
1550
About BLK
BlackRock, Inc. is an investment management company. The Company provides a range of investment management and technology services to institutional and retail clients. Its diverse platform of alpha-seeking active, private markets, index and cash management investment strategies across asset classes enables the Company to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. Its product offerings include single- and multi-asset portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives, and money market instruments. Its products are offered directly and through intermediaries in a range of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares exchange-traded funds, separate accounts, collective investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles. It also offers technology services, including the investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin, Aladdin Wealth, eFront, and Cachematrix, as well as advisory services and solutions.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Comparative Analysis of IGIB and BND Bond ETFs
- Cost and Yield Comparison: IGIB has an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to BND's 0.03%, making BND slightly more cost-effective; however, IGIB's one-year return of 5.55% surpasses BND's 4.19%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- Risk and Volatility Analysis: Over the past five years, IGIB experienced a maximum drawdown of -20.61%, while BND's was -17.91%, indicating higher volatility for IGIB, which may attract investors with a greater risk tolerance while highlighting potential risks in yield pursuit.
- Portfolio Composition: IGIB holds 2,979 assets primarily in high-rated A and BBB bonds, whereas BND encompasses 15,000 securities with at least 72% allocated to AAA-rated bonds, providing BND with a stronger risk management profile.
- Investor Decision Considerations: Although both ETFs have similar one-year returns, the high yield of IGIB and the low-risk profile of BND necessitate that investors consider their risk preferences, especially in a market where bond ETFs typically exhibit slower growth.
See More
Vanguard BND Offers Broader Bond Mix Than BlackRock's IEI
- Cost Comparison: Vanguard BND's expense ratio stands at 0.03%, significantly lower than iShares IEI's 0.15%, making BND more cost-effective for long-term holders, thus appealing to investors seeking low-cost options.
- Return and Risk: As of February 14, 2026, BND's one-year return is 4.19%, closely matching IEI's 4.22%, but BND's maximum drawdown over the past five years is -17.91%, higher than IEI's -13.89%, indicating greater risk associated with BND.
- Portfolio Composition: BND holds approximately 15,000 securities, providing diversified bond exposure, while IEI focuses on 87 U.S. Treasury bonds, with nearly 100% AA-rated bonds, ensuring minimal credit risk, appealing to investors favoring government debt.
- Dividend Yield: Although BND offers a higher dividend yield of 3.83% compared to IEI's 3.48%, IEI's actual monthly dividend payouts are nearly double BND's due to its price of $120.14, which is almost twice that of BND, highlighting different cash flow characteristics.
See More
Market Divergence: Industrials Surge While Tech Stocks Struggle
- AI Fears Hit Financial Stocks: Concerns over a new AI-driven tax planning feature led to significant declines in Wells Fargo and Capital One, with shares dropping over 7.4% and nearly 7% respectively, highlighting investor sensitivity to potential threats in the wealth management sector, although Wells Fargo's rating upgrade on Friday provided some stabilization.
- Strong Performance in Industrials: Stocks like Eaton, Honeywell, and GE have continued their strong performance in 2026, with Eaton's shares rising over 4% last week and up 22% year-to-date, reflecting market optimism about economic recovery and driving what Jim Cramer describes as an
See More
Bitcoin's Scarcity and Value Proposition
- Scarcity Advantage: Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million units, a hard limit established through halving events every four years, making its inflation rate predictable and contrasting sharply with the current monetary system, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Outstanding Historical Performance: Between 2013 and 2023, Bitcoin outperformed all other asset classes, with a staggering 17,000% price increase over the past decade, which, despite recent dips, still provides long-term investors with confidence from its historical growth.
- Network Security: Since the first block was mined in 2009, the Bitcoin network has never been hacked, a fact that underscores its resilience and reliability, especially in light of high-profile failures in the crypto industry, thus bolstering investor trust.
- Investment Advice: Despite Bitcoin's impressive performance, the analyst team recommends focusing on ten other stocks that could yield significant returns in the coming years, indicating that Bitcoin is not the only investment opportunity available.
See More
Three Key Insights Every Bitcoin Investor Should Know
- Supply Limitation Feature: Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million units, a hard limit set in the software through halving events every four years, making its inflation rate predictable and contrasting sharply with the current monetary system, especially as the U.S. government continues to increase its debt.
- Outstanding Asset Performance: According to BlackRock, Bitcoin outperformed all other asset classes from 2013 to 2023, with a staggering 17,000% price increase over the past decade, suggesting that even amidst recent dips, investors should focus on its long-term growth potential.
- Network Security: Since the first block was mined in 2009, the Bitcoin network has never been hacked, highlighting its resilience in the face of industry turmoil, despite significant security breaches at platforms like Mt. Gox and FTX.
- Investor Confidence Boost: As Bitcoin matures and gains global recognition, investors are increasingly informed about this digital asset, enabling them to make more prudent portfolio decisions, which further stabilizes the market.
See More
BlackRock Acquires 8.1% Stake in Archer Aviation
- Investor Confidence Boost: BlackRock's acquisition of an 8.1% stake in Archer Aviation for $366 million, despite the company missing production targets since its 2021 debut and delivering only one test aircraft, may indicate confidence in its future potential.
- Market Outlook: Archer's Midnight eVTOL is expected to replace helicopters for short-range flights, with capabilities of flying 100 miles on a single charge and reaching speeds of 150 mph; if it secures FAA approval and scales production, analysts project revenues could reach $32 million by 2026.
- Backlog Situation: As of the end of 2025, Archer has a non-committal backlog of $6 billion with approximately 1,200 aircraft orders, showing strong market demand for eVTOLs, although collaboration with major investor Stellantis is progressing slower than anticipated.
- Industry Competition and Challenges: While Archer has potential in the eVTOL market, its market cap of $4.96 billion reflects a valuation of 155 times this year's sales, and it has yet to break even, facing risks of production issues and delayed approvals in the future.
See More
Comparative Analysis of IGIB and BND Bond ETFs
- Cost and Yield Comparison: IGIB has an expense ratio of 0.04% compared to BND's 0.03%, making BND slightly more cost-effective; however, IGIB's one-year return of 5.55% surpasses BND's 4.19%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- Risk and Volatility Analysis: Over the past five years, IGIB experienced a maximum drawdown of -20.61%, while BND's was -17.91%, indicating higher volatility for IGIB, which may attract investors with a greater risk tolerance while highlighting potential risks in yield pursuit.
- Portfolio Composition: IGIB holds 2,979 assets primarily in high-rated A and BBB bonds, whereas BND encompasses 15,000 securities with at least 72% allocated to AAA-rated bonds, providing BND with a stronger risk management profile.
- Investor Decision Considerations: Although both ETFs have similar one-year returns, the high yield of IGIB and the low-risk profile of BND necessitate that investors consider their risk preferences, especially in a market where bond ETFs typically exhibit slower growth.
See More
Vanguard BND Offers Broader Bond Mix Than BlackRock's IEI
- Cost Comparison: Vanguard BND's expense ratio stands at 0.03%, significantly lower than iShares IEI's 0.15%, making BND more cost-effective for long-term holders, thus appealing to investors seeking low-cost options.
- Return and Risk: As of February 14, 2026, BND's one-year return is 4.19%, closely matching IEI's 4.22%, but BND's maximum drawdown over the past five years is -17.91%, higher than IEI's -13.89%, indicating greater risk associated with BND.
- Portfolio Composition: BND holds approximately 15,000 securities, providing diversified bond exposure, while IEI focuses on 87 U.S. Treasury bonds, with nearly 100% AA-rated bonds, ensuring minimal credit risk, appealing to investors favoring government debt.
- Dividend Yield: Although BND offers a higher dividend yield of 3.83% compared to IEI's 3.48%, IEI's actual monthly dividend payouts are nearly double BND's due to its price of $120.14, which is almost twice that of BND, highlighting different cash flow characteristics.
See More
Market Divergence: Industrials Surge While Tech Stocks Struggle
- AI Fears Hit Financial Stocks: Concerns over a new AI-driven tax planning feature led to significant declines in Wells Fargo and Capital One, with shares dropping over 7.4% and nearly 7% respectively, highlighting investor sensitivity to potential threats in the wealth management sector, although Wells Fargo's rating upgrade on Friday provided some stabilization.
- Strong Performance in Industrials: Stocks like Eaton, Honeywell, and GE have continued their strong performance in 2026, with Eaton's shares rising over 4% last week and up 22% year-to-date, reflecting market optimism about economic recovery and driving what Jim Cramer describes as an
See More
Bitcoin's Scarcity and Value Proposition
- Scarcity Advantage: Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million units, a hard limit established through halving events every four years, making its inflation rate predictable and contrasting sharply with the current monetary system, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Outstanding Historical Performance: Between 2013 and 2023, Bitcoin outperformed all other asset classes, with a staggering 17,000% price increase over the past decade, which, despite recent dips, still provides long-term investors with confidence from its historical growth.
- Network Security: Since the first block was mined in 2009, the Bitcoin network has never been hacked, a fact that underscores its resilience and reliability, especially in light of high-profile failures in the crypto industry, thus bolstering investor trust.
- Investment Advice: Despite Bitcoin's impressive performance, the analyst team recommends focusing on ten other stocks that could yield significant returns in the coming years, indicating that Bitcoin is not the only investment opportunity available.
See More
Three Key Insights Every Bitcoin Investor Should Know
- Supply Limitation Feature: Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million units, a hard limit set in the software through halving events every four years, making its inflation rate predictable and contrasting sharply with the current monetary system, especially as the U.S. government continues to increase its debt.
- Outstanding Asset Performance: According to BlackRock, Bitcoin outperformed all other asset classes from 2013 to 2023, with a staggering 17,000% price increase over the past decade, suggesting that even amidst recent dips, investors should focus on its long-term growth potential.
- Network Security: Since the first block was mined in 2009, the Bitcoin network has never been hacked, highlighting its resilience in the face of industry turmoil, despite significant security breaches at platforms like Mt. Gox and FTX.
- Investor Confidence Boost: As Bitcoin matures and gains global recognition, investors are increasingly informed about this digital asset, enabling them to make more prudent portfolio decisions, which further stabilizes the market.
See More
BlackRock Acquires 8.1% Stake in Archer Aviation
- Investor Confidence Boost: BlackRock's acquisition of an 8.1% stake in Archer Aviation for $366 million, despite the company missing production targets since its 2021 debut and delivering only one test aircraft, may indicate confidence in its future potential.
- Market Outlook: Archer's Midnight eVTOL is expected to replace helicopters for short-range flights, with capabilities of flying 100 miles on a single charge and reaching speeds of 150 mph; if it secures FAA approval and scales production, analysts project revenues could reach $32 million by 2026.
- Backlog Situation: As of the end of 2025, Archer has a non-committal backlog of $6 billion with approximately 1,200 aircraft orders, showing strong market demand for eVTOLs, although collaboration with major investor Stellantis is progressing slower than anticipated.
- Industry Competition and Challenges: While Archer has potential in the eVTOL market, its market cap of $4.96 billion reflects a valuation of 155 times this year's sales, and it has yet to break even, facing risks of production issues and delayed approvals in the future.
See More
