nvidia launches anthropic while google expands its platform

Key Takeaways

• Stock markets declined due to US trade policy uncertainty and fears of AI's economic disruption, impacting software, payment, and delivery stocks.
• Nvidia's earnings report is a key event for investors this week amid market volatility.
• AI startup Anthropic partnered with Slack, Intuit, Docusign, and Google's Gmail, easing concerns about AI disrupting software business models.
• Check Point Software Technologies reported Q4 2025 revenue of $744.9 million and net income of $304.5 million.
• Check Point is focusing on AI-driven cybersecurity, acquiring Cyata, and announced a $2.00 billion share buyback program.
• AI chipmaker d-Matrix, backed by Microsoft, emphasizes that increased AI adoption is crucial for driving further investment in AI hardware.
• Agaton secured $10 million in seed funding for its AI-powered sales intelligence platform.
• BlackRock identifies artificial intelligence, defense, and infrastructure as top investment themes for 2026.
• Concerns remain about AI's potential for short-term job disruption and its threat to the private credit market, especially for software companies.
• Canva acquired AI startups Cavalry and MangoAI, indicating continued investment in AI capabilities within the software sector.

Stocks Fall on Trade Fears and AI Worries

Stock markets dropped as uncertainty about US trade policy and concerns about artificial intelligence impacted investor sentiment. President Trump increased global tariffs, while a report on AI's potential economic effects caused software and payment stocks to decline. Geopolitical risks, including US-Iran nuclear talks, also contributed to the market downturn. Despite some positive economic data, investors are focused on upcoming earnings reports and economic news this week. Q4 earnings season has shown strong results, with most S&P 500 companies beating expectations.

Stocks Drop Amid Trade Uncertainty and AI Fears

Major stock indexes fell sharply due to uncertainty over US trade policy and fears about AI's impact. President Trump's executive order raising tariffs and a report on AI's potential disruption to the economy led to declines in delivery, payment, and software stocks. Geopolitical tensions, including US-Iran nuclear talks, also added to market concerns. This week, investors will focus on corporate earnings and economic data, with Nvidia's earnings report and consumer confidence figures among the key events. Despite market volatility, Q4 earnings have generally exceeded expectations, showing a positive trend for the S&P 500.

Stocks Tumble on Trade Uncertainty and AI Disruption Fears

Stock markets experienced a significant sell-off driven by uncertainty surrounding US trade policy and growing concerns about artificial intelligence. President Trump's decision to raise global tariffs and a report highlighting AI's potential economic risks caused delivery, payment, and software stocks to fall. Geopolitical tensions, particularly US-Iran nuclear talks, also negatively impacted market sentiment. This week's focus will be on corporate earnings, including Nvidia's report, and key economic indicators like consumer confidence. Despite the downturn, Q4 earnings have largely surpassed expectations, contributing to a positive earnings growth trend for the S&P 500.

Check Point Focuses on AI Security After Strong Q4 Earnings

Check Point Software Technologies reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 results with increased revenue and net income. The company is now emphasizing its AI-driven cybersecurity strategy, highlighted by the acquisition of Cyata and participation in the upcoming Software Conference. This focus on AI security, alongside its financial performance, aims to reshape its investment narrative. While recent earnings support its steady growth profile, competition in AI security poses a key risk to its margins. Investors are watching to see if the AI push drives durable growth or impacts profitability.

Check Point Stock Drops After AI Security Push and Buyback

Check Point Software Technologies saw its stock price fall by 9.8% following its fourth-quarter earnings report and strategic announcements. The company reported Q4 2025 revenue of $744.9 million and net income of $304.5 million, while also providing 2026 guidance. Key announcements included plans to boost AI-driven security through the acquisition of Cyata and a partnership for large language model protection. Additionally, Check Point revealed a $2.00 billion share buyback program, emphasizing its commitment to securing enterprise AI. The stock's decline raises questions about potential shifts in the company's investment outlook.

D-Matrix Founder: More AI Adoption Needed for Investment

The founder of AI chipmaker d-Matrix believes that increased adoption of artificial intelligence is crucial to drive further investment in the sector, especially in hardware. Financial backers are reportedly concerned about slow returns and the potential for an investment bubble. The company, which is backed by Microsoft, is looking to meet the growing demand for inference chips. However, the executive also noted barriers to entering the Chinese market. Greater AI integration across industries is seen as key to unlocking future funding and innovation in AI technology.

Top 2026 Investment Themes: AI, Defense, and Infrastructure

BlackRock's head of thematic investing, Jay Jacobs, identified artificial intelligence (AI), defense, and infrastructure as the top investment themes for 2026. Jacobs highlighted AI's potential to revolutionize various industries, driving growth in infrastructure, software, and applications. Increased global security needs are expected to boost the defense sector, creating opportunities in areas like cybersecurity and drones. The ongoing need for modern infrastructure, including renewable energy and digital connectivity, remains a critical theme fueled by government and private investment. These themes often intersect, offering synergistic investment possibilities.

Policy Needed to Address AI Job Disruption

Concerns are rising that while artificial intelligence may eventually create new jobs, current fiscal and monetary policies might be too slow to manage short-term job disruptions. Some data suggests AI adoption is already correlating with increased unemployment in certain sectors, like the information industry. Investors are worried about AI's impact on software business models, but historical economic theories suggest technology shocks can lead to new job creation over time. However, officials seem hesitant to implement aggressive fiscal stimulus or lower interest rates quickly, potentially leaving the workforce vulnerable to AI-driven changes.

Software Stocks Rebound on Anthropic AI Partnerships

Software stocks saw a rebound after AI startup Anthropic announced new partnerships connecting its tools with platforms like Slack, Intuit, Docusign, and Google's Gmail. This news eased investor concerns about AI disrupting the software sector, which had led to significant sell-offs in recent weeks. Analysts at Wedbush Securities believe the sell-off was overblown, stating that AI tools are unlikely to replace entire software workflows. The partnerships highlight how AI can integrate with existing software ecosystems rather than completely replace them, boosting confidence in software companies.

Agaton Raises $10 Million for AI Sales Intelligence

Agaton, an AI-powered sales intelligence platform, has secured $10 million in total seed funding. The company focuses on extracting insights from enterprise conversations to drive revenue growth and improve customer relationships. Since its stealth launch over a year ago, Agaton has processed 4 million calls for major European enterprises, helping teams double sales conversions and reduce QA handling time. The funding, backed by Inception Fund and Alstin Capital, will support team expansion, product enhancement, and global growth. Agaton emphasizes enterprise-grade security and data sovereignty in its operations.

Market Sell-Off Fueled by Tariffs and AI Disruption Fears

U.S. stocks declined on Monday due to unstable tariff situations and fears of AI disruption in the market. FedEx sued the U.S. government, and Panama annulled port contracts held by a CK Hutchison subsidiary, adding to global trade uncertainty. Canva acquired startups Cavalry and MangoAI, despite recent struggles in software stocks. Analysts suggest that the market's reaction to AI fears might be overblown, presenting a potential buying opportunity. Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters noted ongoing intense U.S.-China competition, which can spur innovation but also lead to destructive outcomes.

AI Disruption Threatens Private Credit Market

Artificial intelligence poses a threat to the booming private credit market, particularly for loans to software companies whose business models are being disrupted. Ben McMillan, Chief Investment Officer at IDX Advisors, expressed concern over lax underwriting in the software lending space, noting that companies unable to secure public bonds are turning to private markets. The potential for AI to impact software profitability is causing a repricing of these loans. While this may not directly affect retail investors, it could impact institutional investors with exposure to private credit and collateralized loan obligations.

Sources

• Stocks Retreat on US Trade Uncertainty and Fresh AI Worries
• Stocks Finish Sharply Lower on Trade Uncertainty and AI-Disruption Fears
• Stocks Finish Sharply Lower on Trade Uncertainty and AI-Disruption Fears
• Is Check Point (CHKP) Recasting Its Investment Story Around AI Security After Stronger Q4 Results?
• Check Point (CHKP) Is Down 9.8% After AI Security Push And $2 Billion Buyback Announcement – Has The Bull Case Changed?
• D-Matrix founder says more AI adoption key to unlocking further investment
• Top Themes for 2026: AI, Defense, and Infrastructure
• Policy bazooka could fend off jobless AI world
• Software stocks rebound as Anthropic announces new partnerships
• Agaton: $10 Million In Total Seed Funding Raised For AI Sales Intelligence Platform
• CNBC Daily Open: Unstable tariff situation and new AI disruption spark market sell-off
• AI disruption is threat to booming private credit market, CIO says