Beyond the S&P 500 with Paul Baiocchi

Lead-Lag Live

What happens when the investment playbook that worked for the past decade suddenly stops working? In this eye-opening discussion with Paul Baiocchi, Chief ETF Strategist at SS&C Alps Advisors, we explore the compelling case for looking beyond the S&P 500 and its dominant mega-cap tech stocks.
The conversation centers on one of the most overlooked megatrends reshaping our economy: electrification. As Paul explains, this isn't just about utilities—it's a convergence of AI data centers, EV adoption, and home electrification driving unprecedented electricity demand growth after two decades of flat consumption. This transformation creates investment opportunities across multiple sectors, from midstream energy companies transporting natural gas to industrial firms building the expanded grid infrastructure.
We also examine why international markets are showing signs of life after 16 years of U.S. dominance. With developed markets outside the U.S. trading at a 30% valuation discount, experiencing stronger earnings growth, and benefiting from a weakening dollar, the stage may be set for a multi-year period of outperformance. Similarly, small caps and REITs represent potential mean reversion opportunities, with both segments trading at historically deep discounts despite improving fundamentals.
The key takeaway? Investment cycles eventually turn, and positioning your portfolio for what's next rather than what's worked in the past requires looking beyond the obvious. Whether through thematic approaches capturing structural economic shifts, international allocations benefiting from valuation gaps, or quality-focused small cap strategies, diversification may be coming back into favor.
Ready to explore investment opportunities beyond the concentrated mega-cap tech trade? This conversation provides a roadmap for navigating the next market cycle rather than the last one.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Portfolio Diversification (00:00:00)

2. Advisor Frustrations with Market Concentration (00:07:31)

3. Thematic Investing and Electrification (00:11:12)

4. AI Exposure Beyond the Obvious Plays (00:17:46)

5. International Markets: Ready for a Comeback? (00:23:35)

6. Small Caps: Potential and Challenges (00:33:14)

7. The Case for REITs in Your Portfolio (00:41:58)