Special Reports
Special reports are provided for insight into market events and trends. View the PDF or subscribe yourself to future updates by using the buttons below.
10 Predictions for the Next 10 Years
July 2010
In addition to his usual 10 predictions that BlackRock Vice Chairman and Chief Equity Strategist for Fundamental Equities Bob Doll makes every year, he is now also taking a look at what might happen in the global economy and financial markets over the next decade to provide investors with ideas for how to position their portfolios for the long term.
What's Ahead in 2010
Mid-Year Update
July 2010
In the mid-year update to What's Ahead in 2010, Bob Doll, BlackRock Vice Chairman and Chief Equity Strategist for Fundamental Equities discusses why a double-dip recession is unlikely and why investors should continue to overweight risk assets.
Subscribe to this document in order to automatically receive quarterly updates as soon as they are available.
BlackRock Municipal Credit Research
Making a Difference One Bond at a Time
May 2010
Today's municipal market, in many ways, is uncharted territory, having seen the demise of the bond insurers, liquidity challenges and, most recently, severe fiscal trouble among state and local issuers of municipal debt. The changing dynamics have created a unique opportunity that has brought credit analysis to the fore of municipal bond investing. This paper profiles the BlackRock Municipal Credit Research team and its process, highlighting the reasons why thorough analysis of each municipal credit and issuer is not only required today, but ultimately can make the difference in the success or failure of a municipal bond portfolio.
Why Quality Matters in 2010
Market Views From the BlackRock Large Cap Series Team
March 2010
Markets have been extremely volatile over the past couple of years, with leadership vacillating quickly between high- and low-quality stocks. In 2010, Bob Doll, Chief Equity Strategist for Fundamental Equities and Head of the Large Cap Series Team, expects to see a return to "normalcy" in which high quality outperforms.
Weathering Uncertain Markets
Learning From the Past, Positioning for the Future
March 2010
Economic difficulties, wild market swings and a general sense of uncertainty have caused some investors to abandon their long-term investment plans. This report discusses these concerns, provides context around the history of market downturns and suggests investment strategies that can help investors cope with and manage through periods of uncertainty and market volatility.
State of the State and Local Governments
Municipal Bond Market Report
December 2009
Many headlines this past year have focused on the fiscal plight of state and local governments and the implications for their debt obligations. While the financial condition of state and local governments has deteriorated throughout the year, BlackRock's Municipal Bond Management Committee continues to believe that states and the vast majority of local governments will take the actions necessary to balance budgets and ensure full and timely payment on their general obligation debt.
The Appeal of Dedicated-Tax Bonds
Analysis From the Municipal Bond Management Committee
October 2009
The fiscal plight of state and local governments has been the subject of much media attention, leading to speculation over issuer bankruptcies and bond defaults. Against this backdrop, BlackRock's Municipal Bond Management Committee addresses the appeal of dedicated-tax bonds -- municipal debt that is supported by a broad established revenue stream that covers annual debt service, making the likelihood of default very remote and providing some solace for investors.
This material is provided as an educational tool. BlackRock cannot be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss resulting from applying any of the information provided in these publications or from any other source mentioned.