Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2026-02-26 10:36Core Insights - The investment wave in AI infrastructure is pushing tech giants into an unprecedented capital-intensive cycle, with hyperscalers like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Oracle expected to exceed historical capital expenditure peaks from the internet bubble era [1][4]. Capital Expenditure Trends - Morgan Stanley forecasts that the capital expenditure to sales ratio for these hyperscalers will reach 34%, 39%, and 37% from 2026 to 2028, surpassing the internet bubble peak of approximately 32% [1][4]. - Including financing leases, this ratio could rise to 38%, 44%, and 45% during the same period [1][7]. - The total capital expenditure for these companies is projected to exceed $2 trillion over the next three years, accounting for about 40% of the total capital expenditure of Russell 1000 index constituents [1]. Revenue Adjustments - Despite the significant increase in capital expenditure, revenue forecasts have not seen a corresponding rise, leading to a decline in free cash flow (FCF) expectations for hyperscalers [3][10]. - Over the past six months, capital expenditure expectations for 2026 and 2027 have been raised by over $630 billion, while revenue expectations have only seen limited adjustments [3][10]. Financing Leases Impact - The use of financing leases has significantly inflated the actual investment scale, with total commitments for future leases exceeding $660 billion among the five companies [13]. - For instance, Oracle's capital expenditure to sales ratio could rise dramatically from 75% to over 100% when including financing leases [15]. Sector Performance Disparity - Semiconductor companies have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the current investment cycle, with their revenue expectations rising by approximately 60%, compared to only 8% for hyperscalers [3][17]. - The market has shown a preference for semiconductor firms, with stock prices increasing significantly more than those of hyperscalers since December 2023 [17]. Future Outlook - Analysts believe that while companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon are leveraging AI investments to enhance user engagement and monetization, the substantial capital expenditures will lead to increased depreciation costs, putting pressure on profit margins if sales do not keep pace [18].