Artificial intelligence continues to reshape the business world, emerging as a central investment theme across various sectors. Citrini Research identifies AI workforce changes and automation as key trends for 2026, noting that global assets in thematic funds, which include new technology, reached US$779 billion by Q3 2025. This focus on AI helps businesses streamline tasks, reduce management roles, and control rising expenses, especially in regions with high labor costs.
Companies like Trimble and HCA Healthcare are already seeing the impact, with Trimble reporting strong 2025 results and positive 2026 guidance partly due to AI. HCA Healthcare is also investing in digital and AI technologies after a strong 2025 performance. Lincoln National demonstrates this trend by appointing a new Chief AI Data & Analytics Officer to integrate AI into underwriting, distribution, and customer service, following six quarters of adjusted operating earnings growth.
In the software space, Box is gaining traction with its Enterprise Advanced tier, featuring AI tools like Box AI, Extract, and Automate. CEO Aaron Levie sees Box's AI platform as a strong competitor, even against bundled suites like Microsoft 365, with the company targeting $1.5 billion in revenue and $191.0 million in earnings by 2028. ServiceNow is also solidifying its position as an "AI workflow control tower" through new partnerships, projecting significant growth to $20.3 billion in revenue by 2028. Meanwhile, Elastic is expanding its AI tools for self-managed customers, aiming to transform its search and observability offerings into a robust AI platform.
Salesforce is undergoing a significant reorganization, including job cuts in early February 2026, to accelerate its adoption of AI and automation, further evidenced by its acquisition of Cimulate for AI search capabilities. Even pure-play AI companies like SoundHound AI are navigating complex financial landscapes, balancing ongoing losses and cash burn with promising AI model advancements and raised revenue guidance.
Key Takeaways
- AI workforce changes and automation are identified as major investment trends for 2026 by Citrini Research.
- Global assets in thematic funds, including new technology, reached US$779 billion by Q3 2025.
- Trimble expects 2026 growth, partly due to AI, after strong 2025 results.
- HCA Healthcare is investing in digital and AI technologies following strong 2025 financial performance.
- Lincoln National appointed a Chief AI Data & Analytics Officer to integrate AI into underwriting, distribution, and customer service.
- Box is leveraging AI features in its Enterprise Advanced tier, aiming for $1.5 billion in revenue and $191.0 million in earnings by 2028, competing with Microsoft 365.
- ServiceNow is becoming an "AI workflow control tower" and projects $20.3 billion in revenue by 2028.
- Elastic launched new AI tools for self-managed customers, aiming to become a strong AI platform.
- Salesforce cut nearly 1,000 jobs and reorganized in early February 2026 to increase its focus on AI and automation, acquiring Cimulate for AI search.
- SoundHound AI faces financial challenges like losses and cash burn, despite a positive earnings outlook and its Polaris AI model improving accuracy.
Trimble beats earnings and focuses on AI for 2026 growth
Trimble (TRMB) reported strong 2025 results, exceeding revenue and earnings expectations. The company also provided positive guidance for 2026, expecting further growth in recurring revenue and operating margins, partly due to AI. Despite this good news, Trimble's share price has been softer recently. Analysts believe Trimble is undervalued, with a fair value around $98.08 compared to its recent $66.40 share price. However, its P/E ratio of 37.3x is higher than industry averages, suggesting some caution.
HCA Healthcare reports strong 2025 results with AI investments
HCA Healthcare (HCA) announced strong 2025 results, showing higher revenue and net income. The company is also investing in digital and AI technologies and building new emergency facilities. HCA's stock has performed well, with a 15.13% return in one month and 72.15% over one year. While some analysts see the stock as slightly overvalued at $530.33, its P/E ratio of 17.8x is lower than the US Healthcare industry average of 23.6x. This lower P/E might suggest less risk, but investors should consider debt and policy changes.
Three big investment trends to watch in 2026
Citrini Research identified three major investment trends for 2026: AI workforce changes, automation, and weight-loss drugs. AI is expected to change how companies operate by streamlining tasks and reducing management roles, especially in Canada where labor costs are high. This focus on AI and automation helps businesses become more efficient and control rising expenses. Thematic investing, which looks at global shifts like new technology, has grown significantly, with global assets in thematic funds reaching US$779 billion by Q3 2025.
Lincoln National grows earnings and boosts AI efforts
Lincoln National (NYSE:LNC) reported its sixth quarter in a row of adjusted operating earnings growth. The company also saw strong sales in its annuity and life insurance products. Lincoln National appointed a new Chief AI Data & Analytics Officer to focus on using data and AI. This move aims to improve how the company handles underwriting, distribution, and customer service, supporting its plans for business diversification and operational changes.
AI analyst warns about SoundHound AI stock before earnings
TipRanks AI analyst is cautious about SoundHound AI (SOUN) stock before its Q4 earnings report. The analyst notes weak financial health, including ongoing losses and cash burn, and a soft technical stock performance. However, there are positive points like a good earnings outlook and raised revenue guidance. SoundHound AI's Polaris AI model is also a strength, improving accuracy and lowering costs. Despite these positives, the stock's valuation is affected by negative earnings and no dividend.
Box Enterprise Advanced tier shows AI strength
Box (BOX) is gaining attention as analysts like Jim Cramer see it as potentially undervalued. DA Davidson named Box a top software pick for 2026, highlighting customer upgrades to its Enterprise Advanced tier. This tier uses AI features like Box AI, Extract, and Automate to drive sales growth. CEO Aaron Levie believes Box's AI-powered platform can compete even with large bundled suites like Microsoft 365. The company aims for $1.5 billion in revenue and $191.0 million in earnings by 2028.
ServiceNow becomes an AI workflow control tower
ServiceNow (NOW) is increasing its focus on AI through new partnerships and acquisitions. The company recently teamed up with Kearney for its BPR.ai offering and appointed Danielle Fontaine as Chief Accounting Officer. These actions show ServiceNow is becoming an "AI workflow control tower" for businesses, managing IT, operations, and customer service. The company expects to reach $20.3 billion in revenue and $3.3 billion in earnings by 2028, driven by 18.9% yearly revenue growth.
Elastic expands AI tools for self-managed customers
Elastic (ESTC) launched its Elastic Inference Service and new Jina.ai reranker models for Elasticsearch 9.3. These tools allow self-managed customers to use cloud-hosted GPU inference while keeping their data on-premises. This move helps Elastic improve its AI search and RAG workloads. The company aims to turn its search and observability tools into a strong AI platform, expecting $2.3 billion in revenue and $50.5 million in earnings by 2028. However, Elastic faces strong competition and pricing pressure from larger cloud providers.
Salesforce cuts jobs and reorganizes for AI future
In early February 2026, Salesforce (CRM) cut nearly 1,000 jobs and changed its senior leadership. This restructuring aims to increase the company's use of artificial intelligence and automation across its business. Salesforce also acquired Cimulate to add AI search to Agentforce Commerce. These changes show Salesforce is actively preparing for an automation-first era. The company projects $51.9 billion in revenue and $10.3 billion in earnings by 2028, with 9.6% yearly revenue growth.
Sources
- Assessing Trimble (TRMB) Valuation After Earnings Beat And AI Focused 2026 Guidance
- Assessing HCA Healthcare (HCA) Valuation After Strong Results And Growing AI And Capital Initiatives
- AI, automation and weight-loss drugs: 3 thematic investment trends analysts say are worth watching in 2026
- Lincoln National Earnings Streak And AI Push Weighed Against Valuation Risks
- AI Analyst Flags Caution on SoundHound AI Stock (SOUN) Ahead of Q4 Earnings
- Is Analyst Optimism On Box’s (BOX) Enterprise Advanced Tier Mispricing Its AI Resilience?
- Is ServiceNow (NOW) Quietly Recasting Itself as the AI Workflow Control Tower of the Enterprise?
- How Investors Are Reacting To Elastic (ESTC) Expanding AI Inference Options For Self-Managed Customers
- How AI-Driven Job Cuts And Leadership Shake-Up At Salesforce (CRM) Has Changed Its Investment Story
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