Palantir Technologies recently reported robust fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, exceeding analyst expectations with $1.41 billion in revenue and $0.25 earnings per share. The company, known for its AI and machine learning software, projects significant growth for 2026, anticipating revenue up to $7.198 billion. Despite this strong performance and a 1,660% stock surge over three years, Palantir's stock is currently considered very expensive, trading at 45 times its 2026 revenue forecast.
In a notable shift in investment strategy, major venture capital firms like Sequoia Capital and Altimeter Capital are backing both OpenAI and Anthropic, rival AI companies. Tech giants such as Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft also plan to invest in both firms, highlighting the critical importance of these AI developers. Meanwhile, fears of AI disruption are impacting traditional sectors; European wealth management stocks, including Amundi and Schroders, dropped on February 11, 2026, as investors worry about AI automating financial tasks. Similarly, real estate services companies like CBRE Group Inc. saw shares fall due to concerns that AI could automate labor-intensive services.
The impact of AI extends to workforce changes, with Heineken announcing plans to cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs over the next two years, partly attributing this to AI and digitization for productivity savings. On the infrastructure side, Equinix anticipates higher 2026 annual revenue, projecting between $10.12 billion and $10.22 billion, driven by the surging demand for data centers that power generative AI technology. Furthermore, new AI-focused security ventures are emerging: Backslash Security secured $19 million in Series A funding for AI cyber defense, addressing risks from AI-generated code, while Tenna Systems raised $13.5 million for AI defense technology that transforms existing wireless devices into real-time threat detectors for military use.
Supporting the global expansion of AI innovation, Meliora Ventures, led by Clive Dickens, launched Meliora Ventures Fund One, aiming to raise $3 million. This fund will specifically target early-stage artificial intelligence companies developing solutions for the Australian market, providing capital, strategic advice, and access to a global network to foster local AI industry growth.
Key Takeaways
- Palantir Technologies reported strong Q4 2025 earnings with $1.41 billion revenue and projects 2026 revenue up to $7.198 billion, but its stock is highly valued at 45 times its 2026 forecast.
- Major investors, including Sequoia Capital, Altimeter Capital, Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft, are investing in both OpenAI and Anthropic, signaling a shift in traditional investment strategies for rival AI companies.
- Backslash Security raised $19 million in Series A funding to develop AI cyber defense solutions, specifically addressing risks from AI-generated software ("vibe coding").
- Fears of AI automation caused shares of European wealth management firms (e.g., Amundi, Schroders) and real estate services companies (e.g., CBRE Group Inc.) to drop.
- Heineken plans to cut 5,000-6,000 jobs (up to 7% of its global workforce) over two years, partly due to AI and digitization for productivity savings, aiming for 400-500 million euros in annual savings.
- Equinix expects 2026 annual revenue between $10.12 billion and $10.22 billion, driven by high demand for data centers powering generative AI technology.
- Tenna Systems secured $13.5 million in seed funding for AI defense technology that transforms existing wireless devices into real-time threat detectors for military applications, working with the U.S. Army and Air Force.
- Meliora Ventures launched a new $3 million investment fund, Meliora Ventures Fund One, to support early-stage AI companies developing solutions for the Australian market.
Palantir Technologies tops earnings but stock remains expensive
Palantir Technologies reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, beating analyst estimates with $1.41 billion in revenue and $0.25 earnings per share. The company also gave a positive outlook for 2026, expecting up to 60.8% revenue growth. Palantir uses AI and machine learning to analyze data for clients, including the US government and commercial businesses, which saw 137% growth. Despite its strong performance and growth in its AIP platform, the stock is considered very expensive at 45 times its 2026 revenue forecast. Investors are advised to be patient as better buying opportunities may arise due to its high valuation.
Palantir stock beats estimates but remains pricey
Palantir Technologies reported strong fourth-quarter 2025 earnings, surpassing analyst predictions with $1.41 billion in revenue and $0.25 earnings per share. The company also projected significant growth for 2026, with revenue expected to reach up to $7.198 billion. Palantir develops AI and machine learning software for data analysis, serving both the US government and a rapidly growing commercial sector. Despite its impressive performance and 1,660% stock surge over three years, the stock is currently very expensive. Investors should be cautious and consider waiting for better opportunities due to its high valuation.
Backslash Security raises $19 million for AI cyber defense
Backslash Security, an Israeli cybersecurity company, secured $19 million in Series A funding. KOMPAS VC led the round, with other investors including Maniv and StageOne Ventures. The company addresses new cyber risks from "vibe coding," where AI agents write and change software. This new way of coding boosts productivity but also creates a wider area for cyberattacks. Backslash's platform monitors the entire AI development process in real time to spot and stop malicious activity. Shahar Man and Yossi Pik founded the company in 2022, and Ron Zoran joined its board.
Top investors back rival AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic
Major venture capital firms, including Sequoia Capital and Altimeter Capital, are investing in both OpenAI and Anthropic, even though they are rival AI companies. This new trend shows how much the AI industry is changing traditional investment rules. Tech giants like Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft also plan to invest in both firms. While this signals the importance of these AI developers, it raises concerns for startups about potential information sharing between competing companies. Some investors, however, choose to back only one AI leader.
AI fears cause European wealth management stocks to fall
Shares of European money managers, including those in the UK, dropped sharply on February 11, 2026. This decline happened because investors worry that new AI companies could automate financial tasks, changing how wealth management businesses operate. Major firms like Amundi, Schroders, and Rathbones Group saw their stock prices fall. Analysts from RBC noted this event brings back the discussion about humans versus machines in financial advice. However, they also suggested that some AI products might help financial advisors instead of replacing them.
Heineken cuts up to 6,000 jobs partly due to AI
Heineken plans to cut between 5,000 and 6,000 jobs over the next two years, which is up to 7% of its global workforce. This decision is partly driven by the use of AI and digitization to achieve "productivity savings." The Dutch brewer aims to save 400 to 500 million euros annually and invest more in growth and premium brands. This move comes after the company's beer sales volumes dropped by 2.4% in 2025. Outgoing CEO Dolf van den Brink stated these cuts are part of their EverGreen 2030 strategy.
Equinix predicts higher sales from AI data center demand
Equinix expects its 2026 annual revenue to be between $10.12 billion and $10.22 billion, which is higher than what analysts predicted. The company also forecasts strong first-quarter sales, driven by the increasing demand for data centers that power generative AI technology. CEO Adaire Fox-Martin stated that Equinix plays a key role in managing AI, cloud, and networking infrastructure. To meet this demand, Equinix is expanding its capacity by investing in new data centers in places like Chennai, India, and Jakarta, Indonesia. The company reported a net income of $264 million in the fourth quarter, a significant improvement from a loss last year.
Real estate stocks fall due to AI disruption fears
Shares of real estate services companies, including CBRE Group Inc. and Cushman & Wakefield Plc., dropped significantly on Wednesday. Investors are worried that artificial intelligence could change their business models by automating tasks currently performed by human professionals. This concern is causing investors to move away from companies with high-fee, labor-intensive services. Analysts believe AI could reduce the need for human involvement and impact fee structures in the real estate sector. This selloff is part of a larger trend where investors are selling stocks of businesses they see as vulnerable to AI advancements.
Meliora Ventures launches new AI investment fund
Meliora Ventures, led by Clive Dickens, introduced a new investment fund called Meliora Ventures Fund One. This fund aims to raise $3 million from wholesale investors to support early-stage artificial intelligence companies. It will specifically focus on AI solutions being developed for the Australian market. The fund will offer capital, strategic advice, and access to a global network of contacts for promising AI startups. This effort is a big step toward helping Australia's AI industry grow and placing local companies on the world stage.
Tenna Systems raises $13.5 million for AI defense tech
Tenna Systems, a defense technology startup, successfully raised $13.5 million in an oversubscribed seed funding round. Costanoa Ventures led the investment, with additional support from Viola Ventures and Fresh Fund. The company creates hardware-free solutions that use AI to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum. Its platform transforms existing wireless devices, like radios and sensors in aircraft, into real-time threat detectors. This technology helps military teams identify and react to issues like jamming and spoofing without needing new equipment. Tenna Systems, founded by Avner and Gabriel Bendheim, already works with the U.S. Army and Air Force.
Sources
- This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Just Beat Earnings Estimates. Is It a Buy?
- This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stock Just Beat Earnings Estimates. Is It a Buy?
- Backslash Security raises $19 million Series A as AI vibe coding reshapes cyber risk
- VCs Rush to Back Rivals OpenAI and Anthropic as AI Frenzy Mounts
- UK wealth managers stocks tumble as AI fears ripple across Europe
- Heineken to slash up to 6,000 jobs in AI 'productivity savings' amid slump in beer sales
- Equinix forecasts annual sales above estimates on AI data center demand
- Real Estate Services Stocks Sink in Latest ‘AI Scare Trade’
- Meliora Ventures launches AI-focused investment fund with strategic advisors
- Tenna Systems Raises $13.5M for Hardware-Free EW AI
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