2026 AI playbook, Intel stock up 80% in 2025

Group 1: Market Overview and Key Pillars - The market is experiencing a pullback as 2025 comes to a close, but it has been a strong year for stocks, particularly driven by technology [2][24] - The first pillar supporting the market is AI, which has generated significant investor excitement and has been a major driver for the market over the past three and a half years [3][4] - The AI trend is expected to evolve in 2026, becoming more selective with a focus on specific winners and losers rather than a broad-based rally [5][6] Group 2: Economic Indicators - The labor market remains stable, with a current unemployment rate of 4.6%, but there are concerns about a potential shift to a contracting labor market if job losses occur [10][12] - Rate cuts are anticipated in 2026, with expectations of two cuts, which could provide a necessary boost for the market [14][15] - The overall economic growth is expected to be resilient, but there are concerns about the potential for the economy to run too hot, which could lead to tighter monetary policy [78][82] Group 3: Company-Specific Developments - Lululemon's founder, Chip Wilson, has initiated a proxy fight to nominate three independent directors to the board following the announcement of CEO Calvin McDonald's departure [20][97] - The stock of Lululemon has seen a 15% increase in the last month, but it remains down about 40% year-to-date, indicating investor interest in the company's restructuring efforts [101] - Amazon has halted its drone delivery plans in Italy due to regulatory challenges, but it has received a bullish outlook from analysts, citing potential growth in AWS [21][22] Group 4: Technology Sector Insights - Nvidia has made a strategic licensing deal with Grock for $20 billion, which is seen as a move to secure its market position against emerging competitors [28][34] - Intel has completed a $5 billion share sale to Nvidia, which is expected to bolster investor confidence and support collaborative efforts in developing CPUs [41][42] - The networking equipment sector is highlighted as a promising area for investment, with expectations of significant earnings growth driven by AI-related demand [86][90]