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OpenAI and Anthropic Now Rival Public Software Giants for Revenue. That Makes These 3 Stocks Strong Buys for 2026.
The Motley Fool· 2026-02-01 02:15
Core Insights - The rising adoption of generative AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic is significantly impacting major cloud computing platforms, with trillions of dollars committed to future infrastructure projects by these companies [1] Group 1: OpenAI and Microsoft - OpenAI's partnership with Microsoft has provided the latter with a first-mover advantage in integrating generative AI, with ChatGPT being heavily utilized across Microsoft's Azure cloud services [3][5] - The increasing use of OpenAI's software has led to a surge in AI workloads on Azure, driving demand for incremental cloud services [4] Group 2: Amazon's Role in AI Infrastructure - Amazon Web Services (AWS) has entered a $38 billion GPU leasing deal to support OpenAI, highlighting the competitive landscape among cloud providers [7] - Amazon has invested $8 billion in Anthropic, positioning itself strategically in the AI sector, with Anthropic utilizing AWS's GPU clusters and custom-designed chips [8][9] - If Amazon's AI accelerators can compete effectively with Nvidia and AMD's GPUs, AWS could gain significant pricing power and increase customer retention [10][11] Group 3: Google Cloud's Position - Google Cloud has experienced impressive growth, with OpenAI and Anthropic as key customers, leveraging its computing power and custom chips [12][13] - Anthropic's use of Google Cloud's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) is expected to enhance Google Cloud's competitive position in the AI infrastructure market [14] - As OpenAI addresses its capacity challenges, Google Cloud is likely to benefit from increased user adoption and ongoing data center expansion [15]
Is the Stalled Nvidia-OpenAI Megadeal AI’s First Domino to Fall?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 13:19
Core Insights - OpenAI has secured a multi-year deal with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to supply approximately 6 GW of GPU capacity, potentially valued at up to $300 billion, with warrants for a 10% stake in AMD contingent on meeting certain targets [1] - OpenAI has committed to an incremental $250 billion purchase of Microsoft Azure cloud services for AI training and inference over several years [1] OpenAI's Partnerships and Funding - OpenAI's current position is supported by a complex network of partnerships and funding discussions, totaling around $1.4 trillion in potential commitments across various cloud partners, chipmakers, and financial investors [2] - Nvidia's $100 billion plan to partner with OpenAI has reportedly stalled due to internal doubts about the transaction's size and structure, raising concerns about OpenAI's business discipline and competitive risks [2][4] - OpenAI is seeking up to $100 billion in fresh funding at a valuation of approximately $830 billion, with potential contributions from major players like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon, SoftBank, and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds [4] Concerns Over Circular Financing - Nvidia's deals have faced criticism for being a form of circular financing, where Nvidia invests heavily in OpenAI, which in turn commits to purchasing large quantities of Nvidia chips [5] - This circular financing model has led to concerns that revenues may be artificially supported rather than driven by sustainable demand [6] Implications of Stalled Deals - The stalled $100 billion plan raises fears that if Nvidia withdraws its investment, OpenAI may reduce its demand for CoreWeave's capacity, potentially impacting the entire AI ecosystem [7] - However, the non-binding nature of the Nvidia-OpenAI agreement means that it was contingent on infrastructure milestones, and OpenAI is still in discussions for substantial funding from various sources [8] Future of AI Investments - Demand for AI compute remains strong, and large-scale projects can be phased in, allowing for flexibility in funding and execution [9][10] - The Nvidia-OpenAI megadeal may be smaller than initially anticipated, but this does not signify the end of the AI boom; rather, it highlights the diverse ecosystem of potential backers for OpenAI [11] - The AI infrastructure and applications market continues to thrive, with a shift towards more cautious investment strategies as the sector matures [12]
7 Reasons Why Meta Platforms Is Arguably the Best AI Stock to Buy Right Now
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-31 08:45
Core Insights - Meta Platforms is positioned as a leading AI stock for 2026, driven by significant advancements in its advertising business and productivity enhancements through AI technologies [1] Group 1: Advertising Business Transformation - Meta's ad revenue increased by 24% year over year in Q4, reaching $58.1 billion, with AI playing a crucial role in enhancing revenue and profits [2] - The company revamped its ad ranking model and doubled GPU usage for AI training, resulting in a 3.5% rise in ad clicks on Facebook and over 1% increase in ad conversions on Instagram [3] Group 2: Productivity Improvements - The implementation of agentic coding has led to a 30% increase in output per engineer since early 2025, with power users experiencing an 80% year-over-year productivity boost [4] - CFO Susan Li indicated that growth is expected to accelerate in the latter half of 2026 [5] Group 3: Product Innovations - Sales of Meta's AI-powered smart glasses tripled in 2025, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg comparing their potential impact to that of smartphones [5][6] - Meta is committed to developing personal superintelligence, which is anticipated to significantly enhance user experience by understanding individual preferences and relationships [7] Group 4: AI Infrastructure Development - Meta established a new division, Meta Compute, aimed at creating custom silicon and energy sources for AI, which is expected to reduce reliance on third-party chips and lower energy costs [8][9] - The Andromeda ad retrieval engine is now compatible with various GPUs, including Nvidia and AMD, enhancing operational flexibility [9] Group 5: Business-to-Business Revenue Growth - Agentic AI is also contributing to B2B revenue, with Meta's business AIs on WhatsApp facilitating over 1 million weekly conversations between customers and businesses in Mexico and the Philippines [10][11] - Plans are in place to expand the availability of these AI agents to more markets in 2026 [11] Group 6: Reality Labs Financial Outlook - Reality Labs reported a $6 billion loss in Q3, which impacted overall profits, but losses are expected to stabilize in 2026, with a focus on AI glasses and wearables [12][13]
If You'd Invested $100 in Nvidia 5 Years Ago, Here's How Much You'd Have Today
The Motley Fool· 2026-01-31 08:02
Core Insights - Nvidia has experienced significant volatility over the past five years, transitioning from a gaming-focused revenue model to a data center-driven growth strategy fueled by artificial intelligence demand [2][4]. Financial Performance - In early 2021, Nvidia's gaming segment contributed approximately 50% of its revenue, but the company faced a 24% stock decline due to GPU shortage fears [2]. - Nvidia reported record quarterly revenue of $5 billion for Q4 of fiscal 2021, leading to a stock gain of 125% that year [3]. - However, between November 2021 and October 2022, Nvidia's stock price fell by 66% due to inflation and slowing economic growth [3]. - Currently, Nvidia's data center segment generated record revenue exceeding $51 billion in the third quarter, which is more than ten times its total revenue from five years ago [4]. - The company's market capitalization stands at $4.6 trillion, with a current stock price of $191.13 [5]. - Management forecasts fourth-quarter revenue of $65 billion, indicating a growth rate of 65% [6]. Investment Returns - An investment of $100 in Nvidia stock five years ago would now be worth $1,479, reflecting a remarkable gain of 1,380% [7].
Software Stocks Are Getting Socked. Is It a Red Flag Or a Buying Opportunity?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 05:35
We're a month into the new year, and major indexes on the stock market have been mostly steady so far. However, not every corner of the market has been quiet. One of the biggest stories of 2026 is the sudden implosion of software stocks. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » The sector that was famously "eating the world," according to venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, no ...
Vertiv CEO raises alarm on heated AI hardware problem
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-31 02:03
Core Insights - The $4 trillion AI boom is significantly driven by Palantir's advanced models and Nvidia's powerful GPUs, leading to substantial investments in silicon technology [1] - A bottleneck has emerged as chip power densities exceed traditional cooling capabilities, necessitating advanced thermal management solutions [2] Company Overview - Vertiv Holdings, based in Westerville, Ohio, is a key player in critical digital infrastructure, providing power, cooling, and housing solutions for data centers [3] - The company offers products such as liquid cooling and precise air conditioning to support Nvidia's Blackwell chips, ensuring consistent power supply from the electrical grid [4] Market Demand and Growth - The transition from traditional air-cooling systems to liquid cooling has spurred demand for Vertiv's services, with standard rack densities increasing from 10-20 kW to over 100 kW for Blackwell chips [5] - Vertiv's Q3 2025 earnings report indicated a 60% increase in organic orders year-over-year and a 20% increase from the previous quarter, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4x and a backlog of $9.5 billion [6] Analyst Ratings - JPMorgan equity analyst Stephen Tusa maintained an overweight rating on Vertiv, adjusting the price target from $230 to $225, highlighting the company's growth potential in the AI infrastructure sector [7]
36氪精选:阿里平头哥启动上市计划,已布局全栈AI芯片
日经中文网· 2026-01-31 00:33
编者荐语: 日经中文网与36氪开展内容交换合作。将精选36氪的精彩独家财经、科技、企业资讯,与读者分享。 以下文章来源于36氪 ,作者邱晓芬 36氪 . 36氪是服务中国新经济参与者的卓越品牌和开创性平台,提供新锐深度的商业报道,强调趋势和价值,我们的slogan是:让一部分人先看到未来。 平头哥自研PPU已成为中国新增AI算力市场的主力芯片之一。 文 | 邱晓芬 封面来源 | 日经中文网 1月22日,接近市场人士称,阿里巴巴集团已决定支持旗下芯片公司平头哥未来独立上市。平头哥是阿里巴巴全资子公司,于2018年成立。 成立8年以来,公司已在计算、存储、网络等领域推出多款性能业界顶级的芯片,据悉,平头哥自研PPU已成为中国新增AI算力市场的主力芯片之一。 互联网公司里, 自研芯片的早期探索者 芯片一直被认为是科技领域最难坑的骨头之一,而平头哥创立之前,阿里巴巴的硬件研发「履历」几乎空白,互联网公司造芯在国内更无先例,平头哥研 发芯片的难度不亚于阿里投入云计算。 虽然现实很骨感,但在这场技术和资本的游戏里,阿里的战略决心不亚于对阿里云的长期投入。 公司成立后,内部芯片研发的路线和模式非常清晰,即重点围绕云端数据中 ...
Citi Updates GlobalFoundries (GFS) Valuation Model to 2027 Estimates From 2026
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-30 19:58
Group 1 - GlobalFoundries Inc. has seen a rise in stock interest, with Citi raising its price target from $35 to $42 while maintaining a Neutral rating [1] - The company has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Synopsys Inc.'s ARC Processor IP Solutions business, which includes engineering and design teams, aimed at enhancing its capabilities in custom silicon solutions [2][3] - The acquisition will integrate various product lines and tools into GlobalFoundries' existing MIPS offerings, focusing on providing a processor IP suite tailored for physical AI, thereby improving customer engagement and time-to-market [3] Group 2 - GlobalFoundries operates as a semiconductor foundry, offering a range of wafer fabrication services and technologies globally [4]
Is IonQ Stock a Buy After Its Latest Acquisition?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-30 16:48
Core Insights - IonQ has established itself in the quantum computing sector by developing one of the most accurate systems, achieving 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity [1] - The company is pursuing vertical integration to enhance scalability and control over the quantum ecosystem through strategic acquisitions [2] Company Strategy - IonQ has made significant acquisitions, including Oxford Ionics for reducing quantum computer size, LightSynq for photonic interconnect technology, Capella for satellite-based distribution, and Vector Atomic for quantum sensing technology [4] - The latest acquisition of SkyWater Technology allows IonQ to manufacture its own chips, making it the only vertically integrated quantum computing company [5] Industry Context - Most semiconductor companies operate on a fabless model, relying on third-party foundries, but vertical integration is advantageous in the emerging quantum computing field [6] - With SkyWater's fabs located in the U.S. and its trusted status with the government, IonQ is positioned to secure government contracts in quantum computing, which is a promising revenue source [8]
Should Investors Worry About Symbotic's Walmart Exposure?
ZACKS· 2026-01-30 16:36
Core Insights - A significant portion of Symbotic's revenues is derived from its partnership with Walmart, which serves as the largest customer [1] - In fiscal 2025, more than 84% of Symbotic's total revenues were generated from Walmart, indicating a high dependency on a single customer [2] - Symbotic has a sizable backlog of $22.5 billion, primarily from agreements with Walmart and GreenBox, providing strong visibility into future revenue [3] - To reduce dependence on Walmart, Symbotic is pursuing strategies to diversify its customer base and expand market reach [5] - A new partnership with Nyobolt enhances Symbotic's warehouse automation systems, improving performance and durability [6] Revenue Concentration - Over 84% of Symbotic's fiscal 2025 revenues were generated from Walmart, highlighting significant customer concentration risk [2][11] - The company's backlog of $22.5 billion is largely tied to Walmart and GreenBox, emphasizing the reliance on these key partners [3][11] Strategic Initiatives - Symbotic is focusing on diversifying its customer base to mitigate risks associated with customer concentration, including a deal with Nyobolt [5][11] - The collaboration with Nyobolt aims to enhance the performance of Symbotic's autonomous mobile robots, which could broaden its market appeal [6] Financial Performance - Symbotic's shares have surged in double digits over the past year, outperforming its industry [9] - The company is trading at a premium valuation compared to the industry average, with a price-to-sales ratio of 10.98X [13]