Hu Xiu·2025-10-17 01:37Core Viewpoint - The current narrative in the U.S. market revolves around the concepts of "bubbles," "crashes," and the anticipation of a potential collapse, particularly in relation to AI and private credit sectors [1][2][38]. Group 1: Bubble Identification - Identifying a bubble is challenging, but the aftermath reveals a recognizable pattern: new technologies ignite expectations, prices soar, and speculation ensues, leading to a "hot potato" scenario [3][4]. - The classic prelude to a crisis can be summarized in three categories: speculative bubbles driven by "hot potato" dynamics, misallocation of capital, and shadow banking that amplifies downturns [6][8]. Group 2: Key Questions for Analysis - Three critical questions to assess potential bubbles include: 1. Is the investment driven by the intent to sell to a "greater fool"? 2. Are funds being misallocated away from genuinely promising companies? 3. Is the current boom heavily reliant on debt, with creditors poised to withdraw support? [9][10]. Group 3: AI Sector Analysis - The AI sector is experiencing a surge in investment, with significant partnerships and funding among major players like OpenAI, Nvidia, and Oracle, raising concerns about the sustainability of this growth [14][28]. - The concept of "circular revenue" is prevalent, where companies invest in each other without real demand, leading to questions about the health of the underlying market [22][24]. - Evidence suggests that AI investments are crowding out funding for other sectors, with substantial capital expenditures projected in the AI infrastructure space [27][30]. Group 4: Debt and Leverage Concerns - The current AI boom may be underpinned by high leverage, particularly in shadow banking, which could exacerbate volatility during downturns [35][36]. - The complexity of contractual agreements in the AI ecosystem raises concerns about transparency and the true nature of demand, indicating potential risks if the market shifts [36][37]. Group 5: Conclusion on AI Bubble - Overall, the AI sector is viewed as a bubble, reminiscent of the internet boom in 2000, where the technology and long-term value are genuine, but a correction may be necessary [38].