Amazon Microsoft Google Meta plan $700 billion AI spend

Key Takeaways

• Allbirds is pivoting from footwear to AI infrastructure, planning to rebrand as "New Bird AI," leading to a stock surge of nearly 400%.
• Major hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are projected to spend nearly $700 billion on AI and infrastructure in 2026, with April earnings crucial for demonstrating returns.
• Amazon's stock gains reflect significant investments in AI infrastructure, advertising, and automated commerce, aiming for improved margins by late 2026.
• TSMC, a key chipmaker for Nvidia and AMD, reported Q1 2026 revenue of $36 billion (up 35%) and net income of $18 billion (up 58%), driven by AI hardware demand.
• Nvidia continues its dominance in AI chips, while Bloom Energy's fuel cell technology is vital for powering AI data centers sustainably.
• Pacer ETFs launched the USAI fund to invest in natural gas providers for AI data centers, highlighting the energy demands of AI infrastructure.
• SenseTime is raising $415.2 million, allocating 40% to scale its SenseCore AI infrastructure and 30% to generative AI research.
• Babcock & Wilcox stock jumped 191% year-to-date due to its involvement in a $2.4 billion power generation project supporting the AI sector.
• EdgeCortix secured new investment to advance its energy-efficient edge AI platforms and SAKURA-X chiplet architecture for global market expansion.
• Fortinet exceeded Q1 2026 earnings expectations for the fifth consecutive quarter, focusing on AI-driven security solutions and aiming for significant growth by 2029.

Allbirds stock soars 350% as shoemaker pivots to AI

Allbirds, known for its sustainable sneakers, is reportedly shifting its business focus to artificial intelligence. This strategic pivot has caused its stock to surge by 350% this week. While specific details about the AI venture are limited, investors have responded positively to the change. This move comes after the company faced challenges in maintaining its initial growth since its IPO.

Allbirds stock nears 400% gain amid AI business shift

Allbirds, the sustainable footwear company, is reportedly pivoting its business strategy to focus on artificial intelligence. This significant shift has led to a remarkable surge in its stock, which is on track for a 400% gain this week. The company, previously known for its wool sneakers, is moving into AI-driven solutions, though details remain scarce. This dramatic change aims to reinvent Allbirds and capture new market opportunities in the evolving tech landscape.

Allbirds shifts from shoes to AI, stock jumps over 400%

San Francisco-based Allbirds is making a major business change, moving away from footwear to focus on artificial intelligence. The company announced it is pivoting to concentrate on AI infrastructure with the goal of becoming an AI cloud solutions provider. This news caused the company's stock to surge over 400% in early trading on Wednesday. As part of this strategic change, Allbirds plans to rebrand itself as 'New Bird AI'.

Gartner stock gains attention after investor interest and AI finance event

Gartner is drawing renewed investor interest following a new position disclosure by Oakmark Select Fund and its promotion of the AI-focused Finance Symposium/Xpo 2026 in London. Despite this attention, the company's stock has seen a significant decline over the past year. Analysts are questioning whether Gartner is undervalued or if the market has already factored in future growth. The company's value is estimated to be significantly higher than its current trading price, driven by increasing demand for its insights in AI, digital transformation, and cybersecurity.

Amazon stock rises on AI and cloud investment focus

Amazon's stock has seen recent gains, prompting a look at how the market values its various operations including retail, advertising, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The company is heavily investing in AI infrastructure, advertising, and automated commerce, aiming for long-term dominance. These investments are expected to improve margins by the end of 2026. While analysts suggest Amazon is undervalued, its current stock price reflects significant future growth expectations, with a P/E ratio higher than its industry peers.

April earnings season crucial for AI stocks, testing investment returns

The April 2026 earnings season is critical for artificial intelligence (AI) stocks, as it will determine if massive investments are yielding measurable returns. Hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms are projected to spend nearly $700 billion on AI and infrastructure in 2026. Investors are now demanding clear proof of revenue from these investments, moving beyond just ambition. Companies that demonstrate strong revenue conversion from AI infrastructure spending will be rewarded, while those that do not may face challenges.

3 reasons to buy TSMC, the AI revolution's hidden giant

TSMC, a major chipmaker, is a key player in the AI revolution, manufacturing advanced chips for companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Apple. In the first quarter of 2026, TSMC's revenue grew 35% to $36 billion, with net income up 58% to $18 billion. The company benefits from strong demand for AI hardware, with its 3nm and 5nm technologies driving significant growth. TSMC has a proven track record of performance and has consistently increased its shareholder dividends since 2004.

Pacer ETFs fund USAI targets energy for AI infrastructure

Pacer ETFs has launched a strategy focusing on AI infrastructure, with the Pacer American Energy Infrastructure ETF (USAI) specifically targeting companies that provide the natural gas powering data centers. This fund is part of a broader 'AI three-pack' that includes funds for data center real estate (SRVR) and internal data center technology (TRFK). USAI aims to capture investment opportunities in the energy backbone required for the massive AI buildout. The fund includes midstream energy companies and natural gas producers, reflecting the essential role of energy in AI operations.

Top AI stocks to buy now: Nebius Group, Bloom Energy, Nvidia

As stocks reach new highs, three AI leaders are highlighted for their growth potential: Nebius Group (NBIS), Bloom Energy (BE), and Nvidia (NVDA). Nebius Group is noted for its enterprise AI solutions in natural language processing and machine learning. Bloom Energy's fuel cell technology is crucial for powering AI data centers, addressing the growing need for sustainable energy. Nvidia remains the dominant leader in AI chips, essential for various AI applications, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Fortinet earnings beat, AI security focus may change outlook

Fortinet reported fiscal Q1 2026 results exceeding earnings expectations for the fifth consecutive quarter. The company's performance highlights its focus on AI-driven security and its integrated platform, including new features in FortiOS 8.0. Despite consistent earnings beats, analysts maintain a cautious 'Hold' rating, emphasizing the need for Fortinet to convert firewall customers to higher-margin SASE and cloud services. The company aims for significant revenue and earnings growth by 2029, but faces risks from hardware cycle slowdowns and competition.

SenseTime raises $415 million to boost AI infrastructure

Hong Kong-listed SenseTime is raising approximately US$415.2 million by placing new shares at a discount. The company will use 40% of the funds to scale its SenseCore AI infrastructure and cloud stack, 30% for generative AI research, 20% for industry-specific AI applications, and 10% for working capital. This strategic capital raise aims to strengthen SenseTime's infrastructure and product development amid increasing competition in the Chinese AI market. The new shares will represent about 4.04% of the company's enlarged share capital.

Babcock & Wilcox stock jumps 191% on AI sector involvement

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises Inc. (BW) has experienced a significant stock price increase of 191% year-to-date. This surge is attributed to the company's growing involvement in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Investors are reacting positively to its role in developing a $2.4 billion power generation project for a major client, highlighting its contribution to AI infrastructure.

EdgeCortix secures new investment for edge AI platform

EdgeCortix has received a new strategic investment from Axiro Semiconductor and MPower Partners to accelerate its energy-efficient AI processing and edge AI platforms. This funding will advance the development of its SAKURA-X chiplet-based architecture for generative and agentic AI. Axiro Semiconductor's expertise will help integrate EdgeCortix's AI inference capabilities with wireless and telecom infrastructure. MPower Partners supports EdgeCortix's focus on high-performance AI with optimized power efficiency. The investment aims to expand EdgeCortix's market reach globally, particularly in Japan and India.

Sources

• Allbirds stock gains 350% this week as shoemaker pivots to AI
• Allbirds stock on track for 400% gain this week as shoemaker pivots to AI
• SF footwear company Allbirds pivots from shoes to AI; sees stock surge by more than 400%
• Gartner (IT) Valuation Check After Oakmark Interest And AI Finance Symposium Spotlight
• Assessing Amazon (AMZN) Valuation After Recent Share Price Momentum And Cloud And AI Investment Focus
• Why April Could Be the Most Important Earnings Season for AI Stocks Since the Boom Began
• 3 Compelling Reasons to Buy TSMC, the Silent Giant of the AI Revolution
• The AI Trade Nobody’s Talking About: Pacer ETFs’ USAI Targets the Energy Behind the Buildout
• Stocks Break Out to New Highs: 3 AI Leaders to Buy Now (BE, NBIS, NVDA)
• Should Fortinet’s (FTNT) Earnings Beat and AI Security Focus Prompt a Rethink of Its Hold Rating?
• SenseTime Raises $415M to Expand AI Infrastructure
• Babcock & Wilcox (BW) AI Ride Propels 191% Jump This Year
• EdgeCortix: New Investment From Axiro Semiconductor And MPower Partners To Accelerate Edge AI Platform Development