AI Stocks & Markets

Today's Stories

1. 1

   BlackRock's AI Infrastructure Deal: What It Means

   BlackRock has announced an AI infrastructure workforce agreement, signaling its entry into the AI-driven investment space. This move positions BlackRock to capitalize on the growing demand for AI infrastructure, potentially driving long-term value for investors.

   The specific terms and scope of the agreement, as well as how it will impact BlackRock's financial performance, are yet to be detailed.

2. 2

   Gilead's Nucleai AI Deal: Oncology Bet Under Scrutiny

   Gilead Sciences (GILD) has announced an oncology AI deal with Nucleai, a move aimed at strengthening its cancer drug pipeline. The deal raises questions about whether Gilead's current valuation is justified, as the company seeks to leverage AI to improve its oncology portfolio and compete more effectively.

   Investors will be watching whether the Nucleai partnership delivers tangible results in drug development, and how this affects Gilead's financial performance and stock valuation.

3. 3

   UBER Stock Drops After AI Budget Blowout

   Uber's stock dropped after reports that it is capping employee access to AI software, following a budget blowout. The move signals that even major companies are trying to control AI-related spending, which could affect how AI tools are adopted in business.

   Whether the cap affects Uber's operations or employee productivity, and if other companies follow suit.

4. 4

   Qualcomm stock target $226.05, 41% upside seen

   24/7 Wall St. issued a BUY rating on Qualcomm with a $226.05 price target over the next 12 months, implying 41.14% upside from the current $160.61 quote. The confidence level is 90%. The stock is down 2.46% over the past week, 7.35% over the past month, and 5.06% year to date, well off the $258.96 52-week high. The model sees a diversified semiconductor platform with a credible path into the data center, priced at a discount to its earnings power.

   CEO Cristiano Amon targets total non-handset revenues growing to $40 billion by fiscal 2029, with data center alone scaling from $5 billion in fiscal 2027 to $15 billion in fiscal 2029. The first hyperscaler custom silicon solution launch is targeted for mid-2027.

5. 5

   Broadcom Credit Risk Rises on AI Debt Backstops

   Bond traders have raised credit risk measures for Broadcom Inc. as it backs mega financing for AI buildouts. Its 5.15% bonds maturing in 2031 saw yields rise about 14 basis points in August, and five-year credit default swaps climbed 28 basis points — more than Oracle or SpaceX. Broadcom is in talks to raise over $60 billion in debt for an AI chip financing deal expected to benefit Anthropic PBC and others, potentially guaranteeing part of a senior-secured tranche. This follows an earlier agreement to backstop most of a $35 billion package with investors like Apollo and Blackstone financing custom AI chips leased to Anthropic. Guarantees let chipmakers lend their balance-sheet strength to clients, but also hide risks that could force them to honor billions in pledges during a downturn.

   JPMorgan strategist Tarek Hamid warns this adds to 'phantom leverage' under the AI ecosystem, with backstops like leases and purchase commitments poised to stretch into the trillions. Tony Trzcinka of Impax Asset Management sees the CDS rise as specific to Broadcom's balance sheet, linked to expectations of more guarantees.

6. 6

   Lam Research Sees AI-Driven Growth Extend Into 2027

   Guinness Global Innovators Fund highlighted Lam Research in its Q2 2026 investor letter, noting strong performance and an extended growth outlook. Lam shares closed at $314.00 on August 21, 2026, with a 52-week gain of 210.03% and a market cap of $383.62 billion. Lam benefits from accelerating AI infrastructure spending, with rising demand for DRAM and high-bandwidth memory, resilient China revenues, and faster-than-expected growth in its high-margin services business. Management has repeatedly raised its outlook for global wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) spending, framing the cycle as supply-constrained rather than demand-constrained.

   Guinness notes that WFE stocks' valuations have become more demanding after strong performance, but maintains conviction due to structural AI demand and recurring service revenues. The fund also highlighted Applied Materials and KLA as top performers.