The artificial intelligence sector continues to drive significant market activity, with AI analysts from TipRanks identifying several Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) poised for growth. As of early March 2026, these analysts recommend six ETFs, including the Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF, The iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF, and the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF, all expected to yield at least a 13% return. Another set of recommendations includes The Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF, The Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF, and the Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, with the Dimensional fund offering broad exposure across various U.S. sectors like technology and finance.
Major AI players are reporting varied performances and strategic moves. NVIDIA recently posted strong earnings, with $68.1 billion in quarterly sales driven primarily by its Data Center segment. Palantir also demonstrated robust growth, achieving $1.4 billion in sales, particularly strong in the U.S. market. A DayTrading.com analysis revealed Palantir Technologies as the top-performing AI stock in 2025, delivering a 133.2% return. Other notable performers included Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) with a 75.1% return, Alphabet (Google) with 65.2%, NVIDIA with 37.2%, and Microsoft with 13.6%.
Hardware innovation and infrastructure demands are also prominent. Apple introduced new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models featuring M5 chips, designed to significantly enhance on-device AI capabilities. These new Macs come with increased prices, with the MacBook Air starting at $1,099 and the 16-inch MacBook Pro at $3,899. Meanwhile, the electrification of AI data centers is projected to require a staggering $1.4 trillion by 2030, highlighting power as a critical bottleneck. Companies like Eaton, GE Vernova, and Vertiv are experiencing substantial growth in data center orders, with Eaton's backlog extending eleven years.
However, not all AI-focused companies are seeing upward trends. ServiceNow's stock has dropped about 28% year to date in 2026, despite its AI-focused Now Assist products reaching over $600 million in annual contract value and the company authorizing a $5 billion share repurchase program. C3.ai's stock plummeted 36% in 2026 to an all-time low, following a 46% year-over-year revenue decline to $53.3 million in its fiscal third quarter. Additionally, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) shares fell 5.5% due to broader market risk-off sentiment, geopolitical concerns, and profit-taking after recent rallies.
AI applications are also transforming retail, with Target leveraging AI for personalization to boost sales. The company's AI-driven engine generated billions in incremental sales for loyalty members, contributing to a 1.9% growth in digital sales despite an overall comparable sales decline. Conversely, Artrya Limited's stock fell 10% as investors reassess the timing of its AI commercialization and clinical adoption for its Salix software, which uses AI to detect coronary artery disease.
Key Takeaways
- TipRanks AI analysts identified six ETFs with Outperform ratings, expecting at least 13% growth, including the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF.
- NVIDIA reported strong earnings with $68.1 billion in quarterly sales, primarily from its Data Center segment.
- Palantir achieved $1.4 billion in sales and was the top-performing AI stock in 2025 with a 133.2% return.
- Apple launched new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models with M5 chips for enhanced on-device AI, with prices starting from $1,099.
- AMD saw a 75.1% return, Alphabet (Google) 65.2%, NVIDIA 37.2%, and Microsoft 13.6% in 2025 AI stock performance.
- Electrifying AI data centers is projected to cost $1.4 trillion by 2030, indicating a significant infrastructure buildout.
- ServiceNow's stock dropped 28% year to date in 2026 despite its AI-focused Now Assist products reaching over $600 million in annual contract value.
- C3.ai's stock plummeted 36% in 2026 following a 46% year-over-year revenue decline to $53.3 million.
- Target successfully used AI for personalization, leading to a 1.9% growth in digital sales and billions in incremental sales for loyalty members.
- TSMC shares fell 5.5% due to geopolitical concerns and profit-taking, while Artrya Limited's stock dropped 10% over AI commercialization timing.
AI analyst picks top 3 ETFs for 2026
An AI analyst from TipRanks has identified three Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with an Outperform rating and potential for at least 13% growth. These ETFs are the Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF, The iShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF, and the Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF. The Vanguard fund focuses on U.S. companies expected to grow faster than the market. This information was released on March 2, 2026.
AI analyst recommends 3 ETFs amid market uncertainty
TipRanks' AI analyst has selected three ETFs for investors navigating market uncertainty, with each expected to yield at least 13% return. The recommended funds are The Putnam Sustainable Leaders ETF, The Pacer Trendpilot 100 ETF, and the Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF. The Dimensional fund offers exposure to the U.S. stock market across various company sizes and sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare. This analysis was published on March 3, 2026.
Zacks tool finds AI stocks like NVIDIA and Palantir
Zacks Thematic Screens offers a tool to explore 30 investment themes, including Artificial Intelligence. This AI screen highlights companies involved in AI software, hardware, and applications. NVIDIA recently reported strong earnings with $68.1 billion in quarterly sales, driven by its Data Center segment. Palantir also showed robust growth, with $1.4 billion in sales, particularly strong in the U.S. market. The Zacks Artificial Intelligence screen identifies top-ranked stocks for investors interested in this sector.
Apple launches pricier MacBooks with M5 chips for AI
Apple has released new MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models featuring M5 chips and updated Studio Displays, increasing prices across the board. The MacBook Air now starts at $1,099, and the 16-inch MacBook Pro begins at $3,899, with doubled base storage for the Air and increased storage for the Pro models. These new Macs are designed to enhance on-device AI capabilities, with Apple stating the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips can process large language model prompts significantly faster than older models. Apple also updated its Studio Display lineup with new models starting at $1,599 and $3,299.
ServiceNow stock falls despite AI growth and stock split
ServiceNow, a digital workflow specialist, has seen its stock price drop by about 28% year to date in 2026, despite strong performance and a recent five-for-one stock split. The company reported fourth-quarter subscription revenue of $3.5 billion, a 21% increase year over year, with its AI-focused Now Assist products reaching over $600 million in annual contract value. Although the stock's valuation remains high at 32 times forward earnings, ServiceNow has authorized a $5 billion share repurchase program, indicating management's confidence in the stock.
Palantir led AI stock gains in 2025, study finds
New analysis from DayTrading.com reveals that Palantir Technologies was the top-performing AI stock in 2025, delivering a 133.2% return. A hypothetical $10,000 investment in Palantir would have grown to approximately $23,320. Other notable performers included Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) with a 75.1% return and Alphabet with 65.2%. Giants like NVIDIA and Microsoft saw more modest gains of 37.2% and 13.6%, respectively, while Super Micro Computer experienced a loss of 5.5%. The study analyzed 10 influential AI stocks based on direct AI revenue or core infrastructure roles.
AI data center power needs $1.4 trillion by 2030
Electrifying AI data centers will require an estimated $1.4 trillion by 2030, highlighting power as a critical bottleneck in AI infrastructure. Companies like Eaton and GE Vernova are experiencing significant growth in data center orders, with Eaton's backlog extending eleven years and GE Vernova tripling its electrification orders in 2025. Vertiv also saw an 81% increase in orders, while Constellation Energy and Vistra are securing long-term nuclear power agreements with hyperscalers. This surge in demand indicates the early stages of a multi-year buildout cycle for power infrastructure.
TSMC shares drop amid geopolitical worries and AI profit-taking
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) shares fell 5.5% due to broad market risk-off sentiment and geopolitical concerns, rather than company-specific news. Chip and AI-related stocks have experienced pullbacks after recent rallies and high expectations. Volatility in U.S. equity futures is linked to escalating U.S.-Iran conflict developments. This decline may also be attributed to profit-taking following a strong late-February rally that pushed TSMC's stock near record levels.
C3.ai stock plunges 36% in 2026 amid revenue drop
C3.ai, an enterprise AI company, has seen its stock plummet 36% in 2026, trading at an all-time low of around $8. The company's revenue fell 46% year over year to $53.3 million in its fiscal third quarter, significantly missing forecasts. This decline follows the departure of its founder and CEO, Thomas Siebel, last September. C3.ai offers over 40 AI applications for various industries, accessible through major cloud providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google Cloud. The company's cash reserves stand at $621.9 million, prompting a focus on cost reduction and revenue generation.
Target uses AI for personalized sales boost
Target is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance personalization and drive sales momentum, particularly within its digital channels. While overall comparable sales declined 2.5% in the fourth quarter, digital sales grew 1.9%, with same-day delivery via Shipt increasing over 30%. Target's AI-driven personalization engine is credited with generating billions in incremental sales by tailoring offers and rewards for loyalty members. The company plans to reinvest over $2 billion in 2026, focusing on technology, merchandising, and marketing to achieve an estimated 2% net sales growth.
Artrya stock drops 10% on AI sales focus
Artrya Limited (AYA.AX) stock fell 10% to A$3.06 in after-hours trading on March 3, 2026, as investors reassess the timing of its AI commercialization. The company uses AI in its Salix software to detect coronary artery disease, selling cloud-based services to imaging centers and hospitals. The stock's decline reflects uncertainty over clinical adoption and revenue growth in 2026. Despite negative earnings per share of -0.17, Artrya holds a cash balance of A$0.61 per share, indicating ongoing investment in research and development.
Sources
- 3 Best ETFs to Invest In, According to AI Analyst, 03/02/2026
- 3 Best ETFs to Invest In, According to AI Analyst, 03/03/2026
- Use This Zacks Tool to Find AI Stocks Like NVIDIA and Palantir
- Apple raises MacBook prices across the board as M5 chips, new displays signal AI-first strategy
- This Stock-Split Stock Is a Major AI Beneficiary. But Is Its Recent Sell-Off a Buying Opportunity?
- DayTrading.com Reveals Which AI Stock Would Have Made You Richest In 2025
- $1.4 Trillion Needed for AI Data Center Electrification by 2030, Chief Investment Officer
- TSMC shares slide as risk-off trading hits chip stocks amid geopolitical jitters and recent AI-driven profit-taking
- C3.ai Stock Has Already Plummeted by 36% in 2026. Buy the Dip, or Run for the Hills?
- Target Looks to AI for Sales Momentum Through Personalization
- After hours (Mar 2026): AYA.AX Artrya ASX down 10% to A$3.06: AI sales focus
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.