Nvidia Advances AI Processors While Intel Develops New CPUs

The artificial intelligence sector continues to drive significant investment and innovation across various industries, with a strong outlook for 2026. A recent survey indicates that 9 out of 10 AI investors plan to maintain or increase their holdings in AI stocks, anticipating robust long-term growth. Nvidia remains a prominent player, with its stock surging 40% in 2025 and an impressive 860% over three years. The company expects a 65% year-over-year sales jump in Q4 and is expanding into Edge AI solutions for devices like robots and autonomous vehicles. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also showcased new robotics technology at CES, announcing that the next-generation Vera Rubin processors are in full production, set to launch in the second half of 2026, promising a tenfold cost reduction for AI inference compared to current Blackwell chips. Companies are rapidly adapting their strategies to capitalize on AI demand. Marathon Digital Holdings is shifting its focus from Bitcoin mining to AI-focused data centers, including a planned majority stake in Exaion. Similarly, CleanSpark is exploring AI data center leasing alongside Bitcoin recovery. Applied Digital, a data center builder for cloud and AI companies, secured $16 billion in lease payments over 15 years, primarily from CoreWeave, and will spin off its Sai Computing cloud business into ChronoScale. Arista Networks is experiencing increased demand for its high-speed, AI-focused networking equipment, securing new hyperscale design wins for 400G and 800G switches. The demand for AI infrastructure extends to power and memory. EnerSys is benefiting from the rising need for energy storage and data center power, driven by electrification and AI, with its stock seeing a 66.82% return over the past year. Western Digital's performance is closely tied to AI infrastructure spending and memory supply, amidst an

Key Takeaways

  • 9 out of 10 AI investors plan to hold or buy more AI stocks in 2026, expecting strong long-term growth.
  • Nvidia's stock rose 40% in 2025 and 860% over three years, with Q4 sales projected to jump 65% year-over-year.
  • Nvidia's Vera Rubin processors, launching in H2 2026, will offer a tenfold cost reduction for AI inference compared to Blackwell chips.
  • AI evaluation startup LMArena (formerly Chatbot Arena) tripled its value to $1.7 billion after raising $150 million, offering a platform to compare LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini.
  • Marathon Digital and CleanSpark are pivoting towards AI-focused data centers, diversifying from Bitcoin mining.
  • Qualcomm unveiled its Dragonwing IQ10 processor at CES 2026, designed for industrial robots and humanoids using on-device AI.
  • Microsoft acquired Osmos to enhance Microsoft Fabric with AI agents for data ingestion and preparation, focusing on ETL processes.
  • Nebius, formerly Yandex, secured contracts with Microsoft and Meta Platforms for cloud-based AI infrastructure, with revenue expected to surge 521% to $3.45 billion in 2026.
  • Micron Technology and Intel are benefiting from an AI-driven server boom, with Micron shifting to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips and Intel preparing new data center CPUs for 2026.
  • KBR won a five-year, $350 million contract from the U.S. Geological Survey to modernize its Earth Resources Observation and Science Center using cloud-native systems and AI/ML.

Marathon Digital shifts to AI data centers

Marathon Digital Holdings (MARA) is changing its business focus. The company is moving from Bitcoin mining to AI-focused data centers, including a planned majority stake in Exaion. Its stock price is currently $10.59. While MARA saw a 44.47% loss over the past year, it had an 84.17% gain over three years. Analysts believe the stock is undervalued, with a fair value of $22.41.

Zscaler stock gains after Mizuho upgrade

Zscaler (ZS) is gaining attention after Mizuho upgraded its stock to Outperform. The company also appointed Sunil Frida as its new Chief Marketing Officer and discussed AI-driven cyber threats. Zscaler's stock trades at $222.76, showing a 21.13% return over one year and 112.21% over three years. Analysts believe the stock is undervalued, with one narrative suggesting a fair value of $328.22.

Amazon faces legal challenge amid AI and AWS growth

Amazon.com (AMZN) is facing legal uncertainty after a federal court denied its request to dismiss a COVID-19 price-gouging lawsuit. Despite this, investors are focusing on the company's strong AI and AWS cloud growth. Amazon's stock trades at $233.06, with a 3-year return of 159.33%. Experts believe the stock is slightly undervalued, with a fair value estimate of $234.75.

EnerSys stock gains from AI and energy demand

EnerSys (ENS) is drawing attention due to increasing demand for energy storage and data center power, driven by electrification and AI. The company's stock has seen strong growth, with a 66.82% return over the past year and a 35.21% return in 90 days. EnerSys is trading at $154.92, close to the average analyst target of $159. The company plans $80 million in annual savings by fiscal 2026 through cost-reduction efforts and has made acquisitions like Rebel Systems.

Qualcomm unveils new AI robotics processor at CES

Qualcomm (QCOM) showcased its new Dragonwing IQ10 processor at CES 2026, designed for industrial robots and advanced humanoids using on-device AI. This move highlights the company's expansion into physical AI. Qualcomm's stock has seen a 12.30% return over the past year, trading at $176.31. The company aims for $22 billion in revenue from automotive and industrial IoT by 2029. While some views suggest the stock is undervalued at $191.80, another model indicates it might be overvalued at $164.35.

CleanSpark stock rises with Bitcoin and AI data plans

CleanSpark (CLSK) is back in focus as Bitcoin prices recover and the company plans for AI data center leasing. The stock has seen an 18.04% return in the last seven days, though it declined 35.19% over 90 days. CleanSpark's stock trades at $12.30, with a strong 3-year return. Analysts believe the stock is undervalued, with a fair value estimate of $23.16 and an average price target of $20.159.

Arista Networks boosts AI networking with new wins

Arista Networks (ANET) is seeing increased demand for its high-speed, AI-focused networking equipment. The company secured new hyperscale design wins for 400G and 800G switches, strengthening its role in AI and cloud networking. CEO Jayshree Ullal sold about US$1.00 billion of stock through pre-arranged plans. Arista Networks projects revenue of $13.6 billion and earnings of $5.4 billion by 2028.

AI startup LMArena triples value to $1.7 billion

AI evaluation startup LMArena raised $150 million in a new funding round. This round values the company at $1.7 billion, nearly tripling its valuation from its seed funding in May 2025. LMArena is known for its widely used ranking system for AI models based on their performance.

LMArena AI startup now worth $1.7 billion

AI startup LMArena's value tripled to $1.7 billion in about eight months after raising $150 million in a new funding round on January 6. Formerly known as Chatbot Arena, LMArena offers a web platform for users to compare large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini. Felicis and UC Investments co-led the funding, with other major investors participating. The company plans to use the capital to operate its platform, grow its technical team, and boost research.

Nvidia remains top AI stock for investors in 2026

A survey shows that 9 out of 10 AI investors plan to hold or buy more AI stocks in 2026, with many seeing strong long-term growth. Nvidia is highlighted as a key stock, with its business thriving due to its leadership in artificial intelligence. The company's stock rose 40% in 2025 and 860% over three years. Nvidia expects sales to jump 65% year over year in Q4 and is expanding into Edge AI solutions for devices like robots and autonomous vehicles.

Applied Digital and Nebius compete in AI infrastructure

Applied Digital and Nebius are two AI stocks showing strong growth. Applied Digital builds data centers for cloud and AI companies and will spin off its Sai Computing cloud business into a new company called ChronoScale. It has secured $16 billion in lease payments over 15 years, mainly from CoreWeave. Nebius, formerly Yandex, provides cloud-based AI infrastructure services in the US and Europe, securing contracts with Microsoft and Meta Platforms. Analysts expect Nebius's revenue to surge 521% to $3.45 billion in 2026, making it a stronger buy due to its faster growth and lower valuation.

Western Digital stock reacts to AI memory demand

Western Digital (WDC) stock saw a volatile session, briefly hitting a 52-week high before cooling to $187.88. The company's performance is closely tied to AI infrastructure spending and memory supply. A Reuters report highlighted an "unprecedented" global memory chip shortage, with prices doubling since February last year. This "supercycle" could last until 2027. Western Digital expects its second-quarter revenue to increase by about 20% year over year. Investors await the company's earnings report around February 4, along with upcoming economic data.

KBR wins $350 million AI Earth data contract

KBR (KBR) stock rose 6.3% after winning a five-year, US$350 million contract from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). KBR will modernize the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center using cloud-native systems, AI/ML, and advanced IT solutions. This contract also involves preparing USGS for the Landsat Next three-satellite constellation, which will provide higher-resolution Earth observation. KBR projects revenue of $9.4 billion and earnings of $664.3 million by 2028.

Nvidia unveils new robotics tech at CES

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang showcased new products for robotics and autonomous driving at CES in Las Vegas. He emphasized the company's hardware powering "physical AI" through various software and programming tools. Despite this, Nvidia's stock slipped 0.1% after hours and fell 0.4% during the trading session. Huang also announced that the next-generation Vera Rubin processors are in full production, expected to launch in the second half of 2026. These new chips will offer a tenfold cost reduction for AI inference compared to current Blackwell chips.

Micron and Intel benefit from server boom

Micron Technology and Intel are benefiting from a rapidly accelerating server boom driven by AI. Micron increased its 2025 server unit growth outlook and expects strong demand into 2026. The company is shifting production to high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, with new factories planned for 2027, 2028, and 2030. Micron's Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue surged 57% year over year, and net income nearly tripled. Intel, a leader in data center CPUs, is also seeing strong demand, with new chips expected in 2026 using the Intel 18A process.

How to choose an AI ETF for 2026

The outlook for AI investments in 2026 remains strong, with many investors planning to increase their holdings in AI-related stocks. Investors can choose from dozens of AI ETFs, which offer easy access to a basket of stocks. These ETFs vary, with some like the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ) focusing on "pure" AI companies. Others, such as the First Trust Nasdaq Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ETF, categorize companies as enablers, engagers, or enhancers. Investors should understand how these funds weight their components and what kind of AI exposure they offer.

Microsoft stock rises with new AI push

Microsoft is boosting its AI capabilities by acquiring Osmos, a tech company specializing in data ingestion using AI agents. This acquisition will enhance Microsoft Fabric by providing autonomous agents to gather and prepare data, focusing on tedious Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes. Osmos's AI Data Wrangler and AI Data Engineer agents will help manage data from various sources and build complex logic pipelines. Additionally, Microsoft hired a new communications head with Xbox experience as the brand approaches its 25th anniversary.

Sources

NOTE:

This news brief was generated using AI technology (including, but not limited to, Google Gemini API, Llama, Grok, and Mistral) from aggregated news articles, with minimal to no human editing/review. It is provided for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies or biases. This is not financial, investment, or professional advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please verify all information with the linked original articles in the Sources section below.

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