Headline: AI Rally Stumbles as Policy Shifts Jolt Markets
Global markets turned cautious as the AI trade lost momentum and policy headlines reset expectations across equities, crypto, and currencies. The pullback in high-growth leaders, coupled with shifting interest rate odds and trade developments, has investors reassessing risk and sector rotation in the near term.
AI-linked stocks came under pressure, with a large-cap chipmaker shedding roughly $150 billion in market value and a leading EV maker sliding about 10%. Bitcoin dipped around 3% as risk appetite softened. Expectations for near-term rate cuts were cut in half, fueling profit-taking and reviving debate over whether the AI boom is stretching into bubble territory. Operational bottlenecks—such as power constraints for data centers—and a reported 13% decline in entry-level job openings added to the caution. At the same time, a major bank flagged 16 undervalued names trading more than 10% below recent highs as potential beneficiaries of an AI rotation focused on fundamentals and cash flow.
Policy signals added to the crosscurrents. In the UK, reports that the government will abandon plans to raise basic and higher income tax rates weighed on the pound as markets recalibrated the fiscal outlook. In the US, officials are said to be considering selective tariff relief to ease food prices, while new trade agreements with four countries aim to reduce duties on agricultural and industrial goods—moves that could reshape import costs, export competitiveness, and corporate margins across supply chains.
Key Points – AI stocks retreated, with a major chipmaker losing about $150B and a leading EV stock down roughly 10%. – Bitcoin fell around 3% as risk appetite cooled and rate cut odds were halved. – Bubble concerns rose amid power constraints for AI infrastructure and a 13% drop in entry-level job postings. – A major bank highlighted 16 undervalued stocks more than 10% off recent highs for potential AI rotation. – The pound weakened after reports the UK scrapped plans to raise income tax rates. – The US is weighing targeted tariff relief on food and struck new trade deals that could cut duties on agricultural and industrial goods.
