A recent downgrade of Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) by a Rosenblatt analyst has brought attention to multiple areas of transitional risk that the tech giant is facing. The investment bank identified risks associated with the impact of AI on search, potential search ad revenue loss due to AI Overviews, and emerging evidence of search share loss to Bing. Additionally, the shift of search ad revenue to retail media networks, the aggressive entry of Amazon into video advertising, and possible higher-than-anticipated capex spending cycle for AI were highlighted as concerns. These factors have led to the analyst downgrading Alphabet stock from Buy to Neutral, urging investors to take a step back and observe the company’s handling of these risks.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) recently claimed the number one spot in terms of market valuation, surpassing Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) as the most valuable public company in the world. However, Truist Securities analysts believe that the company could face challenges in maintaining this position and experiencing stock upside due to trading and technical challenges. Despite this, Truist analysts pointed out that holding the top market cap position does not inherently hinder future investment returns. They reviewed the performance of stocks that have previously held the top market capitalization and found that while these stocks may underperform in the short term, they often outperform the S&P 500 index over longer periods.
Rosenblatt Securities upgraded Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) stock to Buy, citing the company’s privacy-focused Apple Intelligence platform as a key driver for boosting market share in the AI sector. A survey conducted by Rosenblatt showed that privacy is the most sought-after feature among US consumers in AI technology, with Apple’s emphasis on privacy safeguards potentially positioning it for market share gains. The strategic focus on specialized large language models (LLMs) and Apple silicon also set Apple apart from other tech giants, protecting the company from cost pressures in the industry.
Micron Technology’s Quarterly Results
Shares in AI memory chipmaker Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU) experienced a decline following the release of its latest quarterly results. Citi analysts attributed this decline to the company’s conservative guidance and increased capital expenditure. Despite this, Citi maintained a positive outlook on Micron, suggesting that investors should consider buying on weakness due to the company’s strong position in the DRAM market. JPMorgan analysts also expressed confidence in Micron’s ability to capitalize on memory content demand driven by AI and accelerated compute server deployments. They reiterated an Overweight rating on Micron stock and highlighted it as one of their top picks in semis.
Tesla’s Position for Growth
Analysts at investment bank Stifel initiated research coverage on Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) with a Buy rating and a price target of $265.00. They believe Tesla is well-positioned for substantial growth in the coming years, particularly from 2025 to 2027. The updated models and the upcoming Model Y refresh are expected to boost sales, with the production of the next-generation Model 2 anticipated to attract high demand. Stifel analysts also highlighted Tesla’s AI-based Full Self-Driving (FSD) initiative as a potential driver of value through sales of FSD and as a critical element of longer-term RoboTaxi initiatives. However, they noted some near-term risks, including delivery levels, EV adoption challenges, and uncertainties related to the U.S. election.
The latest analyst moves in the artificial intelligence sector have shed light on the various risks and opportunities facing companies in this space. Investors should carefully consider these factors when making investment decisions, as the AI landscape continues to evolve rapidly.