Cassandra Unchained·2026-07-21 04:43Financial Risk and Hidden Debt - Hidden debt at major U.S. tech companies surged eightfold over approximately four years to an estimated $1.65 trillion [1] - The total hidden debt of $1.65 trillion now surpasses the $1.35 trillion in debt currently recorded on the balance sheets of these firms [3] - The accumulation of hidden debt complicates risk assessment for investors regarding the financial health of these corporations [1] Industry Trends and Drivers - Artificial intelligence (AI) investments are identified as the primary driver behind the ballooning hidden debt [1] - The study covers five major tech giants: Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle [2] - Financial figures for these companies are expected to rise further as second-quarter earnings are announced [2]