Core Investment Trends - Morgan Stanley identifies three core investment themes for the stock market over the next 12 months: AI computing power leaders and software giants benefiting from the AI wave, semiconductor equipment themes benefiting from favorable policies under the Trump administration, and essential consumer goods leaders amid a fragmented consumption chain [1][2]. AI Computing Power and Software Giants - The demand for AI computing power is experiencing explosive growth, driven by significant investments in AI infrastructure by the U.S. government and tech giants, indicating a bullish outlook for companies like Nvidia, TSMC, and Broadcom [6][10]. - Analysts predict that major tech companies, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon, will spend over $350 billion on AI computing infrastructure in 2023, representing a nearly 50% year-over-year growth [6][10]. - By 2025, AI-related capital expenditures in tech companies are expected to reach 28%, up from 12% in 2023, with AI applications driving significant increases in efficiency and productivity [7][11]. Semiconductor Equipment Beneficiaries - The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) is expected to significantly boost free cash flow for U.S. manufacturing companies, particularly in the semiconductor equipment sector, as companies shift production back to the U.S. [13][14]. - Semiconductor equipment leaders are positioned to benefit from the unprecedented demand for AI chips, with companies like ASML and Applied Materials playing crucial roles in the manufacturing process [15][16]. Essential Consumer Goods Amid Consumption Fragmentation - The market is witnessing a divergence in performance, with essential consumer goods companies expected to show resilient growth while discretionary spending is under pressure [17][18]. - High-income consumers are less affected by inflation and continue to spend on non-essential items, while low-income consumers are shifting towards cheaper alternatives, leading to a stark contrast in consumption patterns [18].

Group 1: Impact of Tariff Changes - The cancellation of the de minimis tax exemption for low-value packages from China has resulted in tariffs as high as 145%, leading many retailers to halt shipments to the U.S. market [1][3][5] - Retailers are increasing prices to cope with the new tariffs, which may exacerbate inflationary pressures on U.S. consumers already facing high living costs [1][4][5] - The effective tariff rate in the U.S. is now close to 23%, the highest in over a century, significantly impacting consumer and business confidence [4][5] Group 2: Retailer Responses - Major retailers, including Amazon, have reported that the new tariffs will have a significant negative impact on their earnings, with Amazon's profit guidance falling short of analyst expectations by as much as 27% [2][9][10] - Smaller retailers are withdrawing from the U.S. market due to the prohibitive costs associated with the new tariffs, which are expected to lead to price increases for essential goods [3][7] - Companies like Space NK and Understance have already suspended U.S. shipments to avoid unexpected costs due to the new tariff regime [3][7] Group 3: Economic Outlook - Analysts warn that the combination of high tariffs and ongoing inflation could lead to a significant downturn in consumer demand, potentially pushing the U.S. economy into recession [5][6] - The impact of tariffs is expected to ripple through various sectors, including e-commerce and advertising, as companies like Snap Inc. have indicated that they are facing macroeconomic headwinds due to these changes [6][9] - The overall economic environment is becoming increasingly challenging for retailers reliant on Chinese imports, with many predicting a slowdown in global economic growth [5][6]