Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2026-01-25 23:59Core Viewpoint - Investors are focusing on niche stocks in the artificial intelligence sector, with upcoming earnings reports from major tech companies serving as a critical indicator for the continuation of this strategy into 2026 [1] Group 1: Performance of Major Tech Companies - The "Tech Seven" companies, including Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla, have significantly influenced the stock market over the past three years, but skepticism is growing regarding their AI investments and returns [1] - As of October 29, 2025, five of the seven companies saw their stock prices decline, underperforming the S&P 500 index, with only Google and Amazon showing gains [1] - The group is expected to report a 20% profit growth for Q4, marking the slowest growth since early 2023, indicating pressure to demonstrate returns on substantial capital expenditures [3][6] Group 2: Shift in Investor Focus - Following the decline of the Tech Seven index, traders have shifted their attention to companies benefiting from funding from these tech giants, with stocks like Sandisk, Micron Technology, and Western Digital seeing significant price increases [2] - The performance of these smaller companies is attributed to expectations of economic growth and attractive valuations, suggesting a broader market shift towards performance-driven investments [2] Group 3: Earnings Reports and Expectations - Major companies like Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Tesla are set to release earnings reports soon, with Alphabet and Nvidia following later, which will provide insights into various sectors including cloud computing and digital advertising [2][3] - Microsoft’s Azure business has shown remarkable growth, with a 39% revenue increase in Q1, driven by demand for AI model training, and expectations for continued growth in the upcoming quarter [5] Group 4: Capital Expenditure and Investor Sentiment - Major tech companies are projected to increase capital expenditures to approximately $475 billion by 2026, up from $230 billion in 2024, raising investor expectations for returns [6] - The market is cautious, as companies that fail to meet growth targets may face significant stock price declines, as evidenced by Meta Platforms' 11% drop following its capital expenditure announcement [6] Group 5: Market Dynamics and Valuation - The Tech Seven companies dominate the S&P 500 index, accounting for over one-third of its total weight, making it challenging for investors to avoid these stocks [7] - Despite the recent performance issues, the expected price-to-earnings ratio for the Tech Seven is 28, aligning with historical averages, indicating that these stocks are not overly expensive [10]