Raspberry Pi Holdings Plc shares have seen a significant surge, with jumps of 43% and 27% recently, following social media buzz and a tech influencer's blog post. The excitement stems from the potential for its low-cost computers to run AI agents like OpenClaw, also known as Clawdbot and Moltbot. This AI program, launched in November, can perform tasks such as clearing inboxes and making reservations. An X user highlighted that Raspberry Pi devices are a more affordable option for AI use compared to Apple products, further fueling investor interest. The company's CEO, Eben Upton, has also been actively purchasing company stock.
In the broader AI investment landscape, large investors are showing caution, cutting their net-long positions on Nasdaq 100 futures by over $7 billion since mid-January. This marks the biggest reduction since last spring, reflecting growing discussions about AI's disruptive impact and potential market volatility. Meanwhile, SoftBank Group Corp has disclosed selling its entire stake in Nvidia during the fourth quarter of 2025, a period where Nvidia's stock price saw a decline of about 7%.
Despite some market apprehension, specific AI-driven sectors are seeing robust activity. Breaker Industries, an AI defense startup, successfully raised $6 million in seed funding, led by Bessemer Venture Partners, pushing its valuation to $28 million. This fourfold increase from its pre-seed funding highlights strong investor confidence in its voice-controlled AI agents for military technology. Additionally, Western Digital has committed all its hard disk drives for the rest of the year, driven by high demand from its top seven data center customers, who are heavily investing in AI infrastructure. This demand means retail customers will find it challenging to purchase these drives.
Canada's Celestica is emerging as a key player in the AI data center market, designing and manufacturing hardware for major cloud and tech companies. The company's stock has soared 2,150% in three years, and it plans to invest about $1 billion in 2026 to expand manufacturing in the US and Southeast Asia. In the mortgage technology sector, firms like ICE and Sagent are introducing new AI-driven tools and platforms to streamline servicing and provide real-time data. However, not all AI ventures are thriving, as startups at the India AI Impact Summit struggled to attract serious investors, citing low returns on their significant investments in exhibition stalls.
Key Takeaways
- Raspberry Pi shares surged by up to 43% due to excitement over its low-cost computers running AI agents like OpenClaw, which can perform tasks such as clearing inboxes.
- An X user noted Raspberry Pi devices are a cheaper alternative to Apple products for AI applications.
- Large investors have reduced their Nasdaq 100 futures bets by over $7 billion since mid-January, indicating caution regarding big tech and AI's market impact.
- SoftBank Group Corp sold its entire stake in Nvidia during the fourth quarter of 2025.
- AI defense startup Breaker Industries secured $6 million in seed funding, increasing its valuation to $28 million.
- Western Digital has committed all its hard disk drives for the remainder of the year due to high demand from AI-driven data centers.
- Celestica, a major player in AI data center hardware, plans to invest about $1 billion in 2026 to expand manufacturing.
- Mortgage technology companies like ICE and Sagent are integrating new AI-driven features and platforms into their servicing systems.
- Luxury stocks are experiencing volatility due to hedge fund trading and investor concerns about AI's broader market effects.
- Startups at the India AI Impact Summit faced challenges in finding serious investors, questioning the returns on their large investments in exhibition stalls.
Raspberry Pi Shares Soar on OpenClaw AI Buzz
Raspberry Pi Holdings Plc shares jumped 43% on Tuesday, marking their biggest gain since the 2025 IPO. This surge followed a tech influencer's blog post detailing how the AI program OpenClaw can run on Raspberry Pi devices. OpenClaw, also known as Clawdbot and Moltbot, launched in November and performs tasks like clearing inboxes and making reservations. Experts believe Raspberry Pi could become a key platform for AI, despite past concerns about rising memory chip costs. CEO Eben Upton has also bought company stock multiple times since late January.
Raspberry Pi Stock Jumps on AI Agent Excitement
Shares of Raspberry Pi rose about 27% on Tuesday, leading gains on the FTSE 250 index. This increase followed social media buzz that its low-cost computers could be used to run AI agents like OpenClaw. An X user with many followers suggested buying Raspberry Pi stock, noting the devices are cheaper than Apple products for AI use. The company's CEO has also been buying shares, though Raspberry Pi stated there is no new company news. The company expects strong 2025 earnings but faces uncertainty in 2026 due to memory chip costs.
Big Investors Reduce Nasdaq 100 Bets Amid AI Concerns
Large investors are cutting their bets on Nasdaq 100 futures, showing caution about big tech companies. Net-long positions have dropped by over $7 billion since mid-January, the biggest cut since last spring. This shift comes as discussions about AI's impact on businesses grow. While some see AI as disruptive but beneficial for infrastructure, others worry about job losses and market volatility. Morgan Stanley strategists believe this turbulence is normal for a major investment cycle. Investors are now moving money towards companies that benefit from structural changes and economic cycles.
Breaker AI Defense Startup Secures 6 Million Dollars
Breaker Industries, an AI defense startup, successfully raised $6 million in a seed funding round. Bessemer Venture Partners led this investment, which closed in late 2025. The company's valuation is now $28 million, a fourfold increase since its pre-seed funding almost a year ago. Breaker develops voice-controlled AI agents for drones and other military technology. Its software aims to simplify controlling many autonomous systems.
Western Digital Hard Drives Sell Out Due to AI Demand
Western Digital has committed all its hard disk drives for the rest of the year because of high demand from data centers. The company's top seven customers, driven by the growing AI market, are buying up all available HDDs. Hard drives offer better storage efficiency and value compared to SSDs, making them crucial for cloud storage services. This demand means retail customers, who account for only 5% of Western Digital's revenue, will find it hard to buy these drives. The company's cloud storage business now makes up 89% of its total revenue.
India AI Summit Startups Struggle to Find Investors
Startups at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi are questioning their large investments due to low returns. Exhibitors paid between ₹15 lakh and ₹50 lakh for stalls but found the visitor quality disappointing, lacking serious investors. Organizational issues like unstable internet and camera restrictions also caused problems. Tighter security for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit will further limit access, with the venue closing early on Wednesday and Thursday morning. A ₹25 lakh theft also occurred on Monday, adding to the frustrations of many exhibitors.
Luxury Stocks Face Volatility From AI Fears and Hedge Funds
Luxury company stocks like LVMH and Kering are experiencing sharp price swings. This volatility comes from hedge fund trading and investor worries about AI's impact on the market. Sales of high-end goods have slowed for two years, making investors sensitive to any recovery signs. LVMH saw a big drop after its CEO gave a cautious outlook, while Kering's shares jumped after better-than-expected results. Hedge funds have placed many bets against luxury stocks, which can make prices move dramatically. Experts also link luxury spending to the US stock market, fearing an AI market correction could hurt the sector.
Celestica Leads Canada's AI Data Center Investment Boom
Celestica, a Toronto-based company, is becoming a major player in the AI data center market. It designs and makes hardware for large cloud and tech companies, helping build the backbone for advanced AI systems. Celestica's stock has soared 2,150% in three years, now trading at $403.96 per share. Its Connectivity and Cloud Solutions segment saw revenue jump 64% in late 2025 due to high demand for AI infrastructure. The company plans to spend about $1 billion in 2026 to expand manufacturing in the US and Southeast Asia, expecting strong growth with $17 billion in revenue.
Mortgage Tech Firms Launch AI Tools and New Loan Programs
Several mortgage technology companies are introducing new tools and loan programs. ICE has updated its MSP mortgage servicing system with AI-driven features to make work easier. Sagent is showcasing its Dara platform, which offers real-time data and transparency for mortgage servicing at the MBA Servicing Solutions Conference. PHH Mortgage will host a webinar on February 18 to explain its FlexIQ Non-Agency loan products for various borrowers. Additionally, Castor Financial is promoting its Prime Plus Loan Program, designed for wealthy and self-employed clients with flexible income rules.
SoftBank Group Sells Entire Stake in Nvidia
SoftBank Group Corp disclosed that it sold its entire share stake in Nvidia during the fourth quarter of 2025. This information comes from SoftBank's 13-F filing with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Nvidia's stock price has fallen about 7% since November 11, when SoftBank first announced the sale. Nvidia is expected to report its quarterly results on February 25, with analysts predicting a 67% jump in revenue.
Sources
- AI Agent OpenClaw Puts Raspberry Pi Shares on Investor Radars
- Raspberry Pi soars 40% as CEO buys stock, AI chatter builds
- Warning: Big money is slashing Nasdaq 100 bets as AI fears mount By Investing.com
- AI Defense Startup Breaker Raises $6 Million in Seed Funding
- Because of AI, Western Digital Hard Drives Are Sold Out
- Amid the madding crowd, startups find their 'target' elusive
- Analysis-Luxury stocks’ volatility highlights AI jitters, hedge fund positioning By Reuters
- Why AI Data Centres Could Be Canada’s Next Big Investment Opportunity
- AI POS Evaluation, Non-Agency, Servicing, Buy-Before-You-Sell products; What's Driving Rates?
- Softbank Group dissolves share stake in Nvidia, according to SEC filing
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