One thing has generally held true about the stock market the past two years: it has gone up and to the right. The reasons why are plentiful. For starters, corporate profits continue to impress Wall Street amid solid US economic growth, pricing power and stock buybacks. Two, investors have poured massive money into big-cap tech names such as Nvidia and Alphabet – which has only served to lift sentiment in many corners of the market. And lastly, interest rates have started to finally come down and in turn, drive up returns on investment. But can the feel good vibes persist as returning President Donald Trump aims to shake up the world order with tariffs and deportations, among many controversial ideas floated. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with BlackRock chief investment and portfolio strategist, Americas Gargi Chaudhuri to get her latest market-moving insights. Chaudhuri thinks markets can continue to grind higher along with the economy, but there will be bumps along the way in part due to unpredictable politics. Some of those bumps are currently being felt as investors grapple with rising yields, percolating energy prices and dialed back rate cut expectations.

Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Gargi Chaudhuri on Opening Bid

04:50-Why a little pullback is healthy

08:45-What in the world is "GARP"

14:00-Nobody's ruling out rate cuts

20:30-Where does gold and Bitcoin fit into your portfolio?

Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Gargi Chaudhuri is Chief Investment and Portfolio Strategist, Americas at BlackRock. Based in New York, she heads the Investment and Portfolio Solutions (IPS) team for the Americas focusing on investment research, portfolio construction and market insights.

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