Core Insights - The stock market is at a critical juncture with the S&P 500 near an all-time high, but increasing expectations of a pullback due to signs of economic weakness and declining consumer sentiment [1] Company Summaries Micron Technology - Micron has emerged as a significant player in the AI sector, with its latest earnings report exceeding expectations [4] - Revenue surged by 57% to $13.6 billion, with cloud memory revenue doubling to $5.3 billion, driven by high demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips [5] - Operating margin increased from 25% to 45%, and adjusted earnings per share rose from $1.79 to $4.78 [6] - EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 increased from $18.10 to $31.88, indicating a low valuation with the stock trading at less than 9 times forward earnings [7] - The stock's recent performance suggests potential for further growth despite reaching an all-time high [8] Dollar General - Dollar General is benefiting from a shift in consumer behavior towards cheaper goods due to persistent inflation and stagnant job growth [10]

Core Viewpoint - Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) has experienced significant volatility in its share price, recently falling by 24.01% due to concerns surrounding the AI bubble and its implications for the energy sector [1][4]. Company Overview - Bloom Energy designs, manufactures, sells, and installs solid-oxide fuel cell systems for on-site power generation, converting fuels like natural gas, biogas, and hydrogen into electricity without combustion [2]. Recent Performance - The company's share price has surged by nearly 230% since the beginning of 2025, driven by its recognition as a potential solution for the increasing energy demands of data centers [5]. Market Dynamics - Recent fears about an AI bubble have led to heavy selling of Bloom Energy's shares, particularly after Oracle Corporation missed revenue estimates and reported a negative free cash flow of $13 billion for the past four quarters [4]. - The withdrawal of Blue Owl Capital from a planned $10 billion financial support to Oracle's data center has further intensified concerns regarding Big Tech's spending on AI [4]. Competitive Threats - The announcement of SpaceX's plans to go public in 2026 poses a potential threat to Bloom Energy's business model, as Elon Musk intends to use the funds to develop AI data centers in orbit, where solar energy is abundant, potentially reducing the need for Bloom's technology [5].

Core Insights - The utility sector has benefited significantly from the AI boom, with major companies securing substantial contracts with hyperscalers, leading to billions in investments in the coming years [1] - Recent concerns about an AI bubble have tempered bullish sentiment, causing investors to question the realization of these promised investments [2] - Despite outperforming the market for most of the year, the utilities sector has recently experienced a pullback, with the S&P Utilities index up 12.41% since the beginning of 2025, compared to a 15.44% gain in the overall S&P 500 [3] Company Highlights - **Dominion Energy, Inc. (NYSE:D)**: - Serves 3.6 million homes and businesses in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and provides natural gas service to 500,000 customers in South Carolina [8] - Morgan Stanley reduced its price target from $65 to $62, maintaining an 'Equal Weight' rating, indicating a potential upside of 4.5% [9] - JPMorgan also lowered its price target from $62 to $59, keeping an 'Underweight' rating [10] - Holds a strong position in Virginia's 'Data Center Alley', with 450 data centers connected and over 25% of sales from these facilities; has approximately 47 GW of data-center supply in contracting stages, up from 40 GW [11] - **Eversource Energy (NYSE:ES)**: - Operates New England's largest energy delivery system, serving customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire [12] - JPMorgan lowered its price target from $72 to $71, maintaining an 'Underweight' rating, indicating almost 4% upside potential [13] - BofA raised its price target from $72 to $75, maintaining a 'Buy' rating after discussions regarding the utility's regulatory roadmap [14] - Reaffirmed a 5-year capital plan of $24.2 billion through 2029, with additional investment opportunities of $1.5 billion to $2 billion; declared a quarterly dividend of $0.7525 per share, with an annual dividend yield of 4.43% [15]

Son has ‌slowed most other dealmaking at The Japanese conglomerate is also looking to cash out some of its holdings in Didi Global, the operator of China's dominant ride-hailing platform, which is looking to list its shares in Hong Kong after a regulatory crackdown forced it to delist in the U.S. in 2021, a source with direct knowledge said. Investment managers at SoftBank's Vision Fund are being directed toward the OpenAI deal, two of the above sources said. SoftBank's scramble to marshal funds offers a ...

Group 1 - The tech market is experiencing a mix of excitement and anxiety as AI stock valuations reach historic highs, raising concerns about whether the market has become overvalued heading into 2026 [2] - Recent news, such as Oracle losing a key funding partner, has caused some market unease, but the overall market reaction has been limited, indicating that a collapse is not imminent [3] - Marc Lichtenfeld emphasizes that bubbles typically do not burst when there is widespread discussion about the possibility of a bubble, suggesting that current market sentiment does not reflect a bubble mentality [3] Group 2 - Lichtenfeld recommends focusing on companies with strong cash flow and rising dividends as a strategy to navigate the current market conditions, providing options for both bullish and defensive investors [4] - Black Hills Corp. is highlighted as a utility stock that stands to benefit from the growing demand for energy in AI infrastructure hubs, particularly in regions like Wyoming where data centers are emerging [5] - Valuations in the AI sector remain high, but historical patterns indicate that a bubble is unlikely to burst while caution prevails, with Black Hills Corp. positioned to capitalize on AI-related energy demands [6]

Our next guest does believe that there is in fact some good signs for 26. Joining us here at Post 9 today is GMO's co-head of asset allocation, Ben Ink. Ben, welcome.It's good to have you. >> Thanks very much for having me. >> What What do you think at least the first half looks like >> of 2026.Uh, you know, we're nervous because the US market is very expensive and very reliant on the AI trade. Uh, I'm actually more worried about what happens after the the giant IPOs that people are talking about come to ma ...

Group 1 - TikTok has reached an agreement to form a joint venture with American investors, granting them a controlling stake in the platform [1][2] - The joint venture will include Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, who will collectively own a 45% stake, while ByteDance retains a 20% stake [1][2] - The agreement is expected to close on January 22, ending a prolonged effort by the U.S. government to force a sale of TikTok due to national security concerns [2][3] Group 2 - Oracle's shares rose over 5% in extended trading following the news of the joint venture, despite previous concerns about an AI bubble and reliance on a few major clients [4] - The joint venture comes ahead of a January deadline for TikTok to comply with U.S. ownership requirements or face a potential ban [3]

Core Insights - The investment landscape is experiencing heightened volatility as it transitions into 2026, leading to investor fatigue and caution [1][7] - Vanguard ETFs are positioned as a strategic choice for both retirees and growth investors, providing a way to navigate a crowded market without needing to reinvent investment strategies [2][3] Vanguard ETFs Overview - Vanguard ETFs, particularly the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSE: VOO), are highlighted for their ability to offer exposure to over 500 dominant US companies, making them a reliable growth option despite a modest dividend yield of 1.13% [5][6] - The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield ETF achieved a return of over 35% in 2025, with a dividend yield of 3.74%, showcasing the potential for income and growth [7] - The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF includes small and mid-cap stocks, providing a broader market exposure beyond the S&P 500 [7] Investment Strategy - The current market conditions make timing investments challenging, thus Vanguard ETFs are recommended for their ability to mitigate risks while capturing market growth [4][6] - The resilience of the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is emphasized, particularly if the tech sector continues to perform well, while still offering benefits from other sectors like healthcare and industrials [6]

The AI bubble is already in the process of bursting; however, this is a very early stage ofAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial short position in the shares of SPX either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no g ...

As AI bubble fears grow, shares of GPU titan Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) seem like a top candidate for some profit-taking, especially as things get a bit choppier and the momentum begins to taper further. ...