Amazon enhances e-commerce as Meta plans $165 billion spend

Key Takeaways

• Billionaire Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management invested 23% of its capital in Amazon and Meta Platforms in 2025, anticipating significant growth.
• Amazon's AI applications boosted e-commerce and AWS cloud services, leading to a 24% sales increase in Q4.
• Meta's AI improvements resulted in a 7% lift in Facebook views and a 6% increase in ad prices in Q4 2025, with 2025 revenue up 22%.
• Meta plans approximately $165 billion in capital expenditure for 2026, raising questions about future profitability despite strong current performance.
• Indian startup C2i secured $15 million in Series A funding, totaling $19 million, to develop "grid-to-GPU" power delivery systems for AI data centers, aiming to reduce 15-20% energy waste by 10%.
• Investment in AI within the insurance sector surged in 2025, with two-thirds of the $5.08 billion insurtech funding directed towards AI-focused companies, though profitability remains a concern.
• India's AI Impact Summit aims to boost funding and global collaboration for its private AI companies, shifting focus from policy to economic opportunities since ChatGPT's rise.
• AI-driven layoffs are occurring, with Angi Inc. cutting 350 jobs in Denver to save $80 million annually, highlighting the need for workforce adaptation.
• Upwork Inc. issued a cautious 2026 revenue forecast ($835 million to $850 million) despite promising AI job growth, suggesting potential market challenges.
• Demand for critical metals is increasing significantly due to the growth of artificial intelligence and electrification, powering new industrial advancements.

Bill Ackman invests heavily in Amazon and Meta AI stocks

Billionaire Bill Ackman, who leads Pershing Square Capital Management, bought large shares in Amazon and Meta Platforms in 2025. He allocated 23% of his fund's capital to these two artificial intelligence stocks. Wall Street experts believe both stocks could see significant gains in the next year, with Amazon potentially reaching $285 per share and Meta $850 per share. Amazon uses AI to boost its e-commerce and AWS cloud services, which saw a 24% sales increase in Q4. Meta uses AI to improve user engagement and ad performance, leading to a 7% lift in Facebook views and a 6% increase in ad prices in Q4, as noted by CFO Susan Li.

Bill Ackman bets big on Amazon and Meta AI shares

Billionaire Bill Ackman, head of Pershing Square Capital Management, invested heavily in Amazon and Meta Platforms in 2025. He dedicated 23% of his fund's capital to these two artificial intelligence companies. Wall Street analysts predict strong growth for both stocks, with Amazon's target price at $285 and Meta's at $850 per share. Amazon uses AI to improve its e-commerce and AWS cloud services, which grew 24% in the fourth quarter. Meta leverages AI to boost user engagement and ad performance, resulting in a 7% increase in Facebook views and a 6% rise in ad prices in Q4, according to CFO Susan Li.

Bill Ackman's fund invests in Amazon and Meta AI stocks

Billionaire Bill Ackman, who founded Pershing Square Capital Management, bought significant stakes in Amazon and Meta Platforms in 2025. His fund allocated 23% of its capital to these two artificial intelligence stocks. Wall Street experts project substantial gains for both companies, with Amazon's target price at $285 per share and Meta's at $850 per share. Amazon uses AI to enhance its e-commerce and AWS cloud computing services, which saw a 24% increase in sales in the fourth quarter. Meta employs AI to deepen user engagement and improve ad performance, leading to a 7% lift in Facebook views and a 6% rise in ad prices in Q4, as reported by CFO Susan Li.

Bill Ackman reveals new Meta AI stock investment

Billionaire Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management recently invested in Meta Platforms, which now makes up 10% of its capital. The fund also initiated a position in Amazon and exited Chipotle Mexican Grill last year. Ackman believes Meta is a leader in digital advertising with over 3.5 billion users, and its daily active users grew 7% in Q4 2025. Meta uses AI to create precise ad campaigns and saw its revenue increase by 22% in 2025. Pershing Square bought Meta stock in November, considering it "deeply discounted" despite planned 2026 capital expenditure of around $165 billion.

Meta faces questions on AI spending and profits

Meta Platforms' stock rallied after its late January earnings report but has since dropped below its pre-report price. The company's planned increase in capital expenditure for 2026 raises concerns about infrastructure costs and profitability. Supporters believe Meta's AI investments will boost ad revenue and user engagement, leading to sustainable growth. However, critics worry that high spending and unclear ways to make money from AI could hurt profits, similar to past issues with Reality Labs and the Metaverse. Seeking Alpha gives Meta high marks for profitability, growth, and momentum, suggesting the stock might be undervalued despite potential valuation changes from increased spending.

Indian startup C2i gets $15 million to power AI data centers

Peak XV Partners led a $15 million Series A funding round for C2i, an Indian startup focused on solving power issues in AI data centers. C2i, which stands for control conversion and intelligence, has now raised $19 million in total, with Yali Deeptech and TDK Ventures also participating. Founded in 2024 by former Texas Instruments executives, the Bengaluru-based company aims to reduce energy waste in data centers, which currently loses 15% to 20% of power during conversion. C2i plans to cut these losses by about 10% using a new "grid-to-GPU" power delivery system. The startup expects its first silicon designs between April and June and will then validate performance with data center operators.

Upwork's 2026 outlook raises questions despite AI growth

Upwork Inc. reported higher revenue for Q4 and full-year 2025 in February 2026 but gave a careful revenue forecast for 2026, expecting $835 million to $850 million. The company also completed a $35.93 million share repurchase and updated its bylaws. Investors are watching if AI-driven growth can overcome challenges like slower client acquisition and enterprise spending. While AI job growth looks promising, the cautious revenue guidance suggests potential risks. Upwork's long-term plan projects $906.3 million in revenue and $147.8 million in earnings by 2028, but the current outlook may temper more optimistic analyst predictions.

Insurance AI investment booms but profits remain unclear

Investment in artificial intelligence within the insurance sector surged in 2025, with insurtech funding rebounding to $5.08 billion, a 19.5% increase from 2024. Two-thirds of this funding went to AI-focused companies, according to Gallagher Re's Q4 Global InsurTech Report. Property and casualty insurtechs saw a 34.9% increase in funding, reaching $3.49 billion, with notable mega-rounds for companies like CyberCube ($180M) and ICEYE ($174.81M). Despite this growth, the industry faces a "return on investment paradox," struggling to turn efficiency gains into clear profits. Experts question if AI will generate new revenue or just make existing systems slightly better, raising concerns about a potential bubble similar to the dot-com era.

India's AI Summit focuses on funding and global business

India's AI Impact Summit opened on Monday in New Delhi, marking the fourth major artificial intelligence conference since ChatGPT's rise. Unlike previous summits in the UK, South Korea, and France, which produced non-binding policy declarations, India's event aims to boost funding and global collaboration for its private AI companies. The summit will showcase startups and enterprises working on AI to attract international investors and secure global business for data centers and AI applications. This approach shifts the focus from policy consensus to practical economic opportunities within the AI sector.

Critical metals rise with AI and electrification boom

Critical metals are experiencing a surge in demand as artificial intelligence and electrification drive a new industrial revolution. Dominari Securities CEO Kyle Wool discussed this trend, highlighting the AI-driven robotics boom. These metals are essential for developing advanced technologies and infrastructure needed for both AI and the shift to electric power. The increased demand for critical metals is a key indicator of the ongoing changes in global industries.

European stocks climb as AI trading slows for holiday

European stocks showed gains on Monday while the U.S. market took a break for Presidents Day. This pause allowed the U.S. market to calm down after several weeks of intense trading activity, especially in artificial intelligence related stocks. The temporary slowdown in the AI trading frenzy provided a moment for investors to catch their breath.

AI causes Denver layoffs Golden faces federal job cuts

Denver is experiencing AI-driven layoffs, with Angi Inc. cutting 350 jobs in Q1 to save $80 million annually. Experts like Dr. Anoud Bani-Hani from CU Denver Business School emphasize the need for AI skills as 90% of jobs face disruption. Meanwhile, Golden, Colorado, is dealing with economic impacts from federal job cuts at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, which laid off 134 employees on February 9. Nola Krajewski of the Golden Chamber of Commerce highlighted how these cuts affect local businesses and property tax revenue. Both situations show a need for workforce adaptability and community resilience.

Sources

• Billionaire Bill Ackman Buys 2 Brilliant Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks -- They Could Soar in the Next Year, According to Wall Street
• Billionaire Bill Ackman Buys 2 Brilliant Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks -- They Could Soar in the Next Year, According to Wall Street
• Billionaire Bill Ackman Buys 2 Brilliant Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks -- They Could Soar in the Next Year, According to Wall Street
• Billionaire Bill Ackman Reveals New Position in This Top Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock
• What's next for Meta amid its massive AI spending projection?
• As AI data centers hit power limits, Peak XV backs Indian startup C2i to fix the bottleneck
• Does Upwork’s (UPWK) Cautious 2026 Outlook Clash With Its AI‑Driven Margin Ambitions?
• AI Investment Surges in Insurance, But ROI Questions Persist
• Market for apps, funding pitches to precede policy declaration at AI summit
• Critical metals surge as AI, electrification fuel new industrial revolution
• European Stocks Rise. AI Trading Frenzy Takes a Breather for Presidents Day
• Business Buzz: AI layoffs in Denver and economic aftershocks in Golden