Tech stock volatility provides opportunity to gain AI exposure, UBS says
Main U.S. indexes advance ahead of FOMC minutes at 2 PM ET
Financials lead S&P 500 gainers; Comm Svcs weakest group
Dollar up; gold, bitcoin, crude decline
U.S. 10-Year Treasury yield edges up to ~4.07%
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TECH STOCK VOLATILITY PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN AI EXPOSURE, UBS SAYS
The technology-heavy Nasdaq .IXIC is on track for its second consecutive day of gains on Wednesday, signifying improving market sentiment over the sector.
But tech stocks had weakened by more than 1% on Monday amid worries that the Federal Reserve would cut rates at a slower pace given strong U.S. economic data.
The fact that October is historically a volatile for tech stocks had also weighed on the sector. However, UBS analysts said they remained positive for tech stocks owing to the outlook for artificial intelligence (AI). And that investors should capitalize on the current volatility to building "long-term AI-exposure".
Underlying this outlook is continued spending on AI into 2025, according to UBS. Major technology giants including AlphabetGOOGL.O and Meta META.O have flagged risks to underspending on AI, rather than overspending, with analysis showing big tech's combined capital expenditure intensity still below historical levels. Furthermore, a range of AI customers, including cloud platforms, enterprises, and sovereign entities have pledged additional AI spending.
Third-quarter results of AI companies, particularly semiconductor firms, should provide a catalyst for markets as investor focus shifts to tech fundamentals as earnings season begins this week.
"While second-quarter results were mixed, we expect tech and AI companies to "beat and raise" for the September quarter," according to UBS analysts led by Solita Marcelli, chief investment officer for Americas for global wealth management.
Given the product development roadmap of major chipmakers, the stage is now set for extensive technology upgrade and a leap in computing power over the next five years, leading to reduced transistor sizes. Smaller chips should result in significant performance improvements in chips and elevated investment in AI chips, according to UBS.
"We continue to favor the semiconductor space and megacaps for AI exposure, and recommend investors consider structured strategies or a buy-the-dip approach for quality AI stocks," the analysts said.
(Chibuike Oguh)
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