Markets are 'in for some volatility' this year, says Nuveen's Saira Malik

• Four themes driving market volatility are trade, AI, Middle East geopolitics, and central bank actions.
• Nuveen expects two Fed rate cuts in the second half of the year, viewing Fed Chair Powell as a 'productivity bull' due to AI's potential.
• AI is causing a shift within tech from semiconductors to software, with concerns about 'AI losers' in data-rich sectors like financial services and healthcare, though Malik believes in human-AI collaboration.
• Midterm election years historically see significant intra-year market volatility, with average declines of 18% at some point during the year.

Saira Malik, Nuveen's Chief Investment Officer, discusses four key themes driving market volatility this year: trade, artificial intelligence (AI), the Middle East situation, and central bank policy. She anticipates continued market volatility, including potential intra-year declines, but also highlights positive drivers like expected Fed rate cuts and AI's long-term productivity benefits.