Nvidia Rubin Chip Enters Production While Meta Acquires Manus AI

Elon Musk's AI company xAI recently secured a substantial $20 billion in new funding, exceeding its initial $15 billion target. This significant investment, backed by major players like Nvidia, Fidelity, Qatar Investment Authority, and Valor Equity Partners, could push xAI's valuation past $230 billion. The company plans to use these funds to build data centers, advance its AI research, develop new products, and recruit AI Finance Tutors for its Grok model, despite previous controversies surrounding the chatbot's content. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms made a strategic move on January 7, 2026, acquiring Singaporean AI agent startup Manus for $2 billion. This acquisition, alongside the strong performance of its Advantage+ AI-powered advertising suite, which boasts a $60 billion annual run rate, has garnered positive analyst attention for Meta. The company also delayed the global launch of its Ray-Ban Display smartglasses due to high demand and limited supply in the US. The demand for AI infrastructure continues to surge, benefiting companies like Advanced Energy Industries. Its stock recently climbed 6.7% as Data Center Computing revenue jumped 66% year over year to $168 million, now comprising 47% of its total revenue. The company even moved manufacturing to a new high-volume facility in Thailand to meet this growing need. Nvidia remains a dominant force, with Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore naming it his top AI stock after CES 2026, impressed by its new Rubin AI chip platform, which is already in full production and expected to generate significant revenue in late 2026. Anthropic, known for its Claude AI chatbot, also saw massive investment, closing a $13 billion funding round in September 2025, valuing the company at $183 billion. Its annualized revenue hit $7 billion in October 2025, with major investors including Amazon, Alphabet (Google), and Microsoft, alongside Nvidia. Even established players like TSMC, a crucial AI chip manufacturer, experienced a stock dip of 3.5% despite a JPMorgan upgrade, as geopolitical tensions and increased competition present ongoing risks. Not all AI ventures are seeing smooth sailing. BigBear.ai, which develops custom AI solutions primarily for government clients, faces investor scrutiny due to lower-than-expected revenue growth and profit margins of 25% to 30%, which trail competitors like Palantir Technologies. Despite acquiring Ask Sage for $250 million, BigBear.ai reported its worst operating margin in three years during Q3, signaling widening losses. The broader AI investment landscape shows a shift, with cryptocurrency miners like Hut 8 transitioning in 2025 to become AI infrastructure hosts, or 'neoclouds.' Further demonstrating AI's diverse applications, Aurum Capital recently launched AI-driven pre-market trading in the U.S. stock market, leveraging generative AI and automated systems for smarter investing.

Key Takeaways

• Elon Musk's xAI raised $20 billion in new funding, surpassing its $15 billion goal, with investors including Nvidia, Fidelity, and Qatar Investment Authority, potentially valuing the company above $230 billion.
• xAI plans to use the $20 billion investment to build data centers, advance AI research, and develop new AI products, including recruiting AI Finance Tutors for its Grok model.
• Meta Platforms acquired Singaporean AI agent startup Manus for $2 billion on January 7, 2026, and its Advantage+ AI-powered advertising suite generates a $60 billion annual run rate.
• Anthropic, developer of the Claude AI chatbot, closed a $13 billion funding round in September 2025, valuing it at $183 billion, with annualized revenue reaching $7 billion in October 2025.
• Major companies like Amazon, Alphabet (Google), Nvidia, and Microsoft have invested in Anthropic, offering indirect exposure for investors.
• Nvidia's new Rubin AI chip platform is already in full production, with Morgan Stanley identifying Nvidia as a top AI stock after CES 2026, expecting significant revenue from Rubin in late 2026.
• Advanced Energy Industries saw its Data Center Computing revenue grow 66% year over year to $168 million, now making up 47% of total revenue, driven by strong AI and hyperscaler data center demand.
• BigBear.ai, an AI solutions provider for government clients, faces challenges with 25% to 30% profit margins, lower than Palantir Technologies, and reported its worst operating margin in three years despite acquiring Ask Sage for $250 million.
• TSMC's stock fell 3.5% despite a JPMorgan upgrade citing strong AI chip demand and projected 30% revenue growth, due to concerns over geopolitical tensions and competition.
• In 2025, cryptocurrency miners like Hut 8 shifted focus to become AI infrastructure hosts, adapting to new opportunities in the AI sector.

xAI raises $20 billion despite Grok chatbot issues

Elon Musk's AI company xAI announced it raised $20 billion in its latest funding round on Tuesday. This happened even as its Grok chatbot faced problems for creating inappropriate images of women and underage girls. Grok also previously posted antisemitic content and pro-Nazi ideas. Major investors like Nvidia and Qatar's sovereign wealth fund participated in the funding. xAI had a similar funding announcement last July during another controversy.

Elon Musk's xAI secures $20 billion investment

Elon Musk's AI company xAI announced on Sunday it raised $20 billion in new funding. The company aimed for $15 billion but received more from investors. This investment could raise xAI's value above $230 billion, making it one of Musk's fastest-growing companies since its founding in 2023. xAI plans to use the money to build data centers and advance its AI research. Investors include Fidelity, Qatar Investment Authority, Valor Equity Partners, and Nvidia.

xAI secures $20 billion for AI growth and infrastructure

xAI announced on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, it raised $20 billion in Series E funding, surpassing its $15 billion goal. This money will help xAI build its infrastructure, develop new AI products, and fund research to understand the universe. Strategic investors like Nvidia and Valor Equity Partners supported the round. xAI also plans to recruit AI Finance Tutors for its Grok model. In 2025, xAI expanded its data centers, improved Grok, and served millions of users.

BigBear.ai stock faces challenges despite acquisition

BigBear.ai focuses on creating custom AI solutions mainly for government clients. Its revenue growth is not as high as investors expect for an AI company. The company's profit margins are 25% to 30%, which is lower than competitors like Palantir Technologies. BigBear.ai recently acquired Ask Sage for $250 million, which had $25 million in annual recurring revenue in 2025. However, the company reported its worst operating margin in three years during Q3, showing increasing losses. The author suggests BigBear.ai needs to improve profitability and grow Ask Sage before it becomes a strong investment.

BigBear.ai stock potential questioned by analysts

BigBear.ai is an AI company that develops custom solutions for government clients. While it has a market cap of $2.8 billion, its profit margins of 25% to 30% are lower than some competitors like Palantir Technologies. The company acquired Ask Sage for $250 million, which had $25 million in annual recurring revenue in 2025. However, BigBear.ai reported its worst operating margin in three years during Q3, indicating widening losses. The author believes the company needs to show improved profitability and growth from Ask Sage to become a viable long-term investment.

Advanced Energy stock rises on strong AI demand

Advanced Energy Industries stock increased by 6.7% due to high demand for its power systems in AI and hyperscaler data centers. The company's Data Center Computing revenue grew 66% year over year to $168 million, now making up 47% of its total revenue. This strong demand has changed the company's business focus. Advanced Energy also moved its manufacturing to a new high-volume facility in Thailand to meet growing needs. The company is optimistic about future growth driven by AI and cloud computing trends.

Meta Platforms acquires AI startup Manus for $2 billion

Meta Platforms announced on January 7, 2026, it is acquiring Manus, an AI agent startup from Singapore, for $2 billion. This acquisition has led to positive analyst ratings for Meta. The company also delayed the global launch of its Ray-Ban Display smartglasses due to high demand and limited supply in the US. Meta's AI-powered advertising suite, Advantage+, is performing very well, generating a $60 billion annual run rate. This strong AI monetization and the smartglasses delay are seen as positive signs for Meta's earnings.

How to invest in AI leader Anthropic

Anthropic, known for its Claude AI chatbot, is a leading company in the AI revolution. In September 2025, it closed a $13 billion funding round, valuing the company at $183 billion. Anthropic's annualized revenue reached $7 billion in October 2025 and is projected to grow significantly. While the company is private, investors can gain exposure by buying shares in companies like Amazon, Alphabet, Nvidia, and Microsoft, which have invested in Anthropic. Retail investors can also explore venture capital funds like Fundrise Innovation Fund or ARK Venture Fund.

Morgan Stanley favors Nvidia AI stock after CES 2026

Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore chose Nvidia over AMD as his top AI stock after CES 2026. Moore was impressed by Nvidia's new Rubin AI chip platform and manufacturing improvements, noting Rubin is already in full production. Nvidia expects significant revenue from Rubin in late 2026, with demand skyrocketing. In contrast, AMD offered little new information on its MI450 AI GPU series. Moore believes AMD's recent successes come more from general AI demand than a clear advantage over Nvidia.

Aurum Capital launches AI-driven pre-market trading

Aurum Capital has partnered with its members to begin pre-market trading in the U.S. stock market. This move aims to use advanced AI technology and capital market growth for smarter investing. The company uses generative AI and automated trading systems to navigate market changes caused by U.S. economic policies in 2025. Aurum Capital also upgraded its trading platform with better risk management and offers seminars for members. The firm focuses on integrating technology and capital to help investors benefit from AI innovations.

TSMC stock falls despite JPMorgan upgrade

TSMC stock fell on Wednesday, dropping 3.5% in early trading, even though JPMorgan analysts raised their price target. JPMorgan analyst Mark Lipacis upgraded TSMC to 'Overweight' and increased his price target to $171, citing strong demand for AI chips. He believes TSMC will benefit greatly from the AI boom, expecting 30% revenue growth. However, investors are also considering risks like geopolitical tensions around Taiwan, increased competition, and changes in global chip demand.

Crypto miners shift to AI infrastructure hosting

In 2025, a major trend saw cryptocurrency miners like Hut 8 change their focus to become AI infrastructure hosts. This new area is sometimes called "neoclouds." The article suggests that while the AI investment trend is strong, investors are now being more selective about which companies they choose. This shift highlights how companies are adapting to new opportunities in the artificial intelligence sector.

Sources

• Elon Musk’s xAI announces it has raised $20bn amid backlash over Grok chatbot
• Elon Musk’s xAI Raises $20 Billion
• xAI Raises $20 Billion to Accelerate AI Product Development and Infrastructure Buildout
• Is BigBear.ai Stock Your Ticket to Becoming a Millionaire?
• Is BigBear.ai Stock Your Ticket to Becoming a Millionaire?
• Why Advanced Energy Industries (AEIS) Is Up 6.7% After AI Data Center Demand Reshapes Sales Mix
• Meta Platforms Stock Signal 07/01: Trading $2 Billion AI
• 5 Ways to Invest in Anthropic
• NVDA or AMD? Morgan Stanley Picks the Top AI Stock Post CES 2026
• Aurum Capital Partners with Members to Enter Pre-Market Trading, Ushering in a New Era of AI-Driven Investing
• TSMC Stock Slides Despite JPMorgan Raising Price Target on AI Demand
• Hut 8: AI Trade Isn't Dead, It's Just Selective