Jay Jacobs

Jay Jacobs

U.S. Head of Thematic and Active ETFs at BlackRock

Jay Jacobs is the U.S. Head of Thematic and Active ETFs at BlackRock. In this role, Jay oversees the overall product strategy, thought leadership, and client engagement for the firm's thematic and active ETF business. Jay is also responsible for BlackRock's international ETF suite.


Previously, Jay founded and led Global X's Research and Strategy team, which originates the firm’s insights on markets and ETFs. He also guided the planning and development of the firm’s strategic direction.


Prior to joining Global X, Jay was a business analyst at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in the ETF and Indexing Group, where he helped launch hundreds of ETFs on the NYSE Arca trading platform.


Jay is frequently sought for his industry knowledge and insights in the media across print, online and broadcast media including CNBC, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal. He holds a BA from Emory University in International Studies and an MBA from Columbia Business School. He is a CFA charter holder.


Mr. Jacobs is a member of the executive advisory board of Columbia Business School’s Program for Financial Studies. He resides in the New York area and is an avid explorer, spending his spare time in the outdoors hiking, skiing, kayaking, and mountain biking.

 



For more from Jay, follow him on LinkedIn and Twitter.

FEATURED ARTICLES

Market Insights

Using infrastructure to help “build” your portfolio

Aug 22, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how infrastructure investments may generate income, offer inflation hedging, and diversification.

Market Insights

Navigating thematic investing with THRO

Aug 15, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how THRO leverages AI to find emerging market trends, adjust positions, and seek opportunities across evolving themes.

Market Insights

Exploring Bitcoin and Gold for Portfolio Diversification

Jul 25, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Learn why investors are considering allocations to gold and bitcoin ETPs in the current market environment.

Market Insights

Thematic investing mid-year update

Jul 10, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Explore the latest investment themes in AI and geopolitics through the lens of thematic investing in our 2025 mid-year update.

Market Insights

Factor investing strategies for fast-moving markets

May 27, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Explore factor investing strategies to optimize returns and manage risks. Learn how dynamic adjustments and factor rotation can outperform benchmarks.

Market Insights

Investing in companies across the AI tech stack

Apr 21, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Exploring three companies across the different layers of the AI tech stack including infrastructure, intelligence, and apps & services.

Market Insights

How to pursue income strategies with outcome ETFs

Apr 02, 2025 | Jay Jacobs

Unlock the potential of options strategies with outcome ETFs. Gain insights into investments designed to potentially generate income, provide targeted protection, or seek enhanced growth.

Market Insights

2025 Thematic Outlook: AI and geopolitics forge new paths

Nov 19, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Dive into thematic ETFs and learn how AI, geopolitics, and recent rate cuts are reshaping investment opportunities.

INVESTING IN BITCOIN ETPs WITH iSHARES

Sep 25, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Embrace the future of finance by learning how to invest in Bitcoin — uncover the pros, cons, and strategies for a savvy digital asset portfolio.

WHAT ARE OPTIONS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?

Sep 03, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Interested in learning about trading options but now sure where to start? Here's what you need to know about options trading.

Market Insights

Investing in AI: It’s about how, not if

Aug 15, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how AI’s impact may extend beyond the “Magnificent 7,” & how investing across the AI value chain offers a potentially more rewarding approach.

Market Insights

Bitcoin vs. Ethereum: Similarities, differences and considerations

Jul 22, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Learn about the key differences between Bitcoin and Ethereum

Market Insights

The rebirth of American manufacturing: Growth and innovation

Jul 18, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how U.S. manufacturing could be poised for a renaissance, driven by a reshaping of supply chains and changing political and economic priorities

Investment Strategies

Bitcoin volatility guide: Trends & insights for investors

Jul 11, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Explore the journey of bitcoin's volatility, from turbulent beginnings to a promising decline. Learn how these trends affect long-term investing.

Market Insights

The Bitcoin halving: What is it? And why does it matter?

Apr 24, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Dive into the mechanics behind the 2024 Bitcoin halving, a scheduled event that seeks to ensure Bitcoin's scarcity and can help the digital asset’s long-term viability.

SIZE INVESTING 101: THE BASICS AND ITS ROLE IN PORTFOLIOS

Mar 04, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how size investing focuses on smaller, nimble companies to optimize portfolio performance and how this strategy can lead to higher returns.

Market Insights

Changing the game for Bitcoin investing with an ETP

Feb 20, 2024 | Jay Jacobs

Learn how Bitcoin ETPs such as IBIT expand access to Bitcoin investing.

Market Insights

Chip away towards tomorrow: Investing in semiconductors

Sep 14, 2023 | Jay Jacobs

Learn about investment opportunities in the growing semiconductor industry, fueled by the mega force of artificial intelligence and digitalization.

VALUE INVESTING 101: THE BASICS AND ITS ROLE IN PORTFOLIOS

Aug 16, 2023 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how value investing seeks to buy stocks that are cheap relative to their fundamentals based on a variety of financial metrics.

MINIMUM VOLATILITY 101: THE BASICS AND ITS ROLE IN PORTFOLIOS

May 19, 2023 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how minimum volatility investing looks to build a portfolio with less risk than the broad market – not just a collection of less risky stocks.

QUALITY INVESTING 101: THE BASICS AND ITS ROLE IN PORTFOLIOS

Apr 14, 2023 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how quality investing aims to improve portfolio returns and minimize risks by focusing on high-quality stocks.

FACTOR INVESTING 101: THE BASICS AND ITS ROLE IN PORTFOLIOS

Mar 02, 2023 | Jay Jacobs

Discover the potential of factor investing by understanding the role of value, quality, momentum, size, and minimum volatility in your investment strategy.

Market Insights

Explore cybersecurity: Key insights for 2025

Aug 05, 2022 | Jay Jacobs

Navigate the world of cybersecurity ETFs with detailed insights. Explore options that provide exposure to defensive growth sectors amid rising cyber threats.

SMART BETA 101: THE BASICS AND ITS ROLE IN PORTFOLIOS

Sep 14, 2021 | Jay Jacobs

Discover how smart beta investing can enhance your portfolio's returns and reduce risk by leveraging factor exposures systematically.

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