AI spending spree drives global tech debt issuance to record high

Core Insights - Global technology companies have significantly increased debt issuance in 2025, reaching record levels due to the urgent need to invest in artificial intelligence capabilities [1][2] Group 1: Debt Issuance and Market Trends - Tech companies issued $428.3 billion in bonds in 2025, with U.S. firms contributing $341.8 billion, while European and Asian firms issued $49.1 billion and $33 billion, respectively [2] - Traditionally, large tech firms relied on internal cash flows but are now turning to debt due to low borrowing costs and strong investor demand [2] Group 2: Structural Shifts and Financial Ratios - The shift to debt-funded AI capital expenditures indicates a structural change in the industry, driven by rapid technological obsolescence and the need for continuous reinvestment [3] - The median debt-to-EBITDA ratio for over 1,000 tech firms with market capitalizations of at least $1 billion rose to 0.4 by the end of September, nearly double the level seen during the 2020 debt surge [5] - The median operating cash flow-to-total-debt ratio fell to a five-year low of 12.3% in Q2 before a modest recovery later in the year [6] Group 3: Investor Sentiment and Risk Perception - Rising investor caution is reflected in credit markets, with five-year CDS spreads on Oracle nearly doubling to 142.48 basis points and Microsoft's spreads increasing to about 35 basis points from around 20.5 [6] - The current market dynamics are viewed as unsustainable, with concerns that the "go big or go home" mentality may not be a permanent shift for hyperscalers [7]