Quarterly Outlook
Macro Outlook: The US rate cut cycle has begun
Peter Garnry
Chief Investment Strategist
Chief Investment Strategist
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The market's obsession with AI is evolving. After fueling a massive rally in semiconductor stocks like NVIDIA and AMD, the enthusiasm is now shifting toward software companies, with names like Marvell, Snowflake and Palantir leading the charge. This pivot underscores the growing realization that AI's true potential lies in its application across industries, not just in the hardware powering it.
Semiconductors were the initial winners of the AI boom, driven by the race to develop the processing power needed for advanced AI models. NVIDIA's leadership in GPUs and AMD's innovations positioned them as the flagship names of the rally. While these "shovels" remain essential tools in the ongoing AI gold rush, the spotlight is shifting. As the focus moves to delivering real-world AI applications, investor enthusiasm is increasingly turning toward software companies that bring AI to life.
As adoption deepens, the focus will likely move toward companies offering scalable AI solutions for enterprises. Investors looking to ride this wave should consider a barbell strategy—balancing exposure between the hardware providers (semiconductors) and the enablers (software companies).
The next wave of AI winners will likely span industries that incorporate AI into their operations and products. Cloud computing, cybersecurity, healthcare, and generative AI remain key areas of focus.
Cloud infrastructure is critical for storing, processing, and deploying AI solutions. These giants stand to benefit as AI adoption grows.
The surge in AI adoption raises the stakes for protecting systems and data, making AI-driven cybersecurity solutions a critical growth area.
Generative AI is transforming industries, from content creation to drug discovery, offering immense growth potential for enabling platforms.
As AI adoption scales, SaaS and data companies providing the foundation for AI solutions are becoming indispensable.
The healthcare sector is poised for disruption as AI transforms diagnostics, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.
AI requires a broader ecosystem of specialized hardware beyond semiconductors, creating new opportunities.
As AI integrates into consumer technologies, companies leveraging AI in smart devices, AR/VR, and autonomous vehicles stand to gain.
By focusing on these next-wave beneficiaries, investors can position themselves to capitalize on AI’s transformative potential across the economy.
Saxo's AI theme basket comprises a selection of publicly traded companies that have a substantial portion of their business models tied to AI growth.