The world's largest asset manager, BlackRock, has decided to partially reduce its positions in stocks of companies most closely tied to the artificial intelligence industry. This statement, made by the organization's top executive Rick Rieder, has sparked lively discussions in the investment community. However, contrary to potentially alarming interpretations, BlackRock emphasizes that this is a planned portfolio rebalancing, not a change in its long-term view of the sector.
As of March 31, 2026, BlackRock managed a record $13.9 trillion in assets. Such massive figures make every move by the company a significant indicator for the market. According to Rieder, the reduction affected both the stake in individual AI companies and the overall weight of stocks in the portfolio. He explained that these actions are aimed at locking in profits on successfully grown positions, not at abandoning the sector's prospects.
"In some companies that are more closely tied to AI than others, we have slightly reduced our stake and made a minor adjustment to the structure," Rieder noted.
Fundamental Shift or Tactical Adjustment?
Rieder's position has remained consistent since the beginning of 2026. Back in June, he dismissed comparisons to the dot-com bubble, pointing to the "Magnificent Seven" multiplier of around 26 earnings with expected growth above 20% annually. In a January forecast, BlackRock emphasized that final returns would be strictly determined by real profitability and rigorous selectivity. This points to a deep stratification of the market, where clear leaders will sharply differ from laggards.
On Wall Street, there is currently no consensus. JPMorgan advises buying cheaper shares of chip manufacturers, while Morgan Stanley is betting on cloud infrastructure providers. Such a divergence of opinions only confirms BlackRock's selective approach.
Where Is Capital Heading?
Rieder hinted that the freed-up capital could be directed into sectors that benefit from AI adoption but are not purely technological. In particular, electricity producers, industrial companies, and builders of data center infrastructure could become new recipients of major investments. The trend of profit-taking has already affected nearly the entire AI industry supply chain. Even Samsung's shares, despite an optimistic forecast of a 19-fold increase in net profit, came under pressure as large holders rushed to lock in gains.
The main systemic threat today is an abnormal concentration of assets. The S&P 500 index is hitting record highs, but the positive dynamics are driven by an extremely narrow group of issuers. In this context, BlackRock's diversification recommendations carry particular weight. The company officially advises allocating 1% to 2% of a portfolio to Bitcoin (BTC) as an alternative to a risky bet solely on technology leaders.
Analyst's Comment: BlackRock's actions are not panic, but a mature and measured move. The AI market is overheated in certain segments, and locking in profits on the most grown positions is a logical management decision. However, redirecting capital into infrastructure and energy sectors, along with partial allocation to Bitcoin, signals a search for new growth points and risk hedging. For the retail investor, this is a clear signal: the euphoria around "artificial intelligence" is transitioning into a phase of more rational and selective investing.