AI Stocks Bubble Popping or Buy-the-Dip?

Let's Talk Money! with Joseph Hogue, CFA
14 Aug 202313:16

TLDRJoseph Hogue discusses the current state of AI stocks, noting a significant drop in major players like Nvidia and smaller companies like C3 and Palantir. He explores whether this is a bubble burst or a temporary dip, advising on investment strategies amidst market fluctuations. Additionally, he covers other market updates, including potential opportunities in sectors like utilities and upcoming earnings reports from companies like Target and Walmart.

Takeaways

  • 📉 The AI stocks are experiencing a significant drop in value, with Nvidia down 15% from its highs and smaller companies like C3 and Palantir seeing even steeper declines.
  • 🚀 Despite the recent downturn, the potential for AI is still seen as a long-term growth opportunity, with the market possibly just experiencing a temporary correction.
  • 💡 Nvidia's forecast of a record $11 billion in sales for Q2 has caught the market's attention, indicating strong demand for AI hardware and chips.
  • 📈 Nvidia's stock price surged after its Q1 report in May, but it's now trading at a higher price-to-sales ratio compared to historical averages, which could indicate overvaluation.
  • 📊 The broader market is down just 2.6% from its peak, suggesting that the current AI stock dip might be part of a larger market pullback rather than a bubble burst.
  • 📉 AI-related companies are trading at high multiples, which could be unsustainable if the market sentiment weakens or if AI adoption does not meet expectations.
  • 💰 The potential for a multi-year AI trend suggests that a further drop in AI stock prices could present a buying opportunity for investors with a long-term perspective.
  • 📈 The technology sector, including AI stocks, is heavily influencing the overall market direction, with a lack of leadership from tech stocks making it difficult for the market to rally.
  • 🛑 There is a cautionary note on the potential for further declines in AI stocks, with a market pullback scenario suggesting that these stocks could drop another 10% or more.
  • 📊 The utility sector is underperforming the market but offers a strong dividend yield and potential for price appreciation, making it an attractive option for investors looking for safety and income.
  • 📝 The speaker is watching specific stocks like AMC, Sempra Energy, and Palo Alto Networks for potential investment opportunities based on recent news and market movements.

Q & A

  • What is the current status of the AI stocks mentioned in the video script?

    -AI stocks, such as Nvidia, C3, and Palantir, have experienced significant declines recently, with Nvidia down 15% from its highs, C3 plunging 31%, and Palantir down 23% in just the last two weeks.

  • What was the initial reaction of investors to the launch of Chat GPT and its potential impact on the AI market?

    -The launch of Chat GPT in November last year sparked investor interest, leading to a rush into AI-related stocks, including early investor Microsoft and chipmaker Nvidia, which saw substantial increases in their share prices.

  • How did Nvidia's Q1 report affect its stock price?

    -Nvidia's Q1 report, which forecast a record $11 billion in sales for its second quarter, surprised everyone and led to a significant increase in its stock price, with shares going up 28%.

  • What is the current market sentiment regarding AI stocks, and what factors might be contributing to this sentiment?

    -The market sentiment for AI stocks is currently cautious, with investors questioning whether the bubble is about to burst due to weakening market sentiment overall and the realization that AI hopes may be premature.

  • What is the significance of the price-to-sales ratio for evaluating the valuation of growth stocks like those in the AI sector?

    -The price-to-sales ratio is a key metric for evaluating growth stocks. It shows how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of a company's sales. A high ratio, such as Nvidia's 40 times, indicates that the stock may be overvalued compared to its historical average.

  • How did the AI boom affect the S&P 500 index and Nvidia's position within it?

    -The AI boom helped Nvidia become the fourth largest company in the S&P 500 index, accounting for 3% of the market index, highlighting the significant impact of AI-related investments on the overall market.

  • What is the potential impact of a further market pullback on AI stocks?

    -A further market pullback could be devastating for AI stocks, potentially sending them down another 10% or more, exacerbating the already significant declines experienced by these stocks.

  • What historical precedent is mentioned in the script for the potential crash of AI stocks, and what was the outcome?

    -The script mentions the .com bust, where the 43 most expensive internet stocks crashed 80%. However, these stocks, including Amazon, saw a 10x return since that time, indicating that patience and confidence in the long-term theme can be rewarding.

  • What are some of the stocks and sectors that the speaker is watching in the current market scenario?

    -The speaker is watching stocks like AMC Entertainment, Sempra Energy, and retail stocks such as Target and Walmart, as well as software security companies like Palo Alto Networks. Additionally, the speaker highlights the utility sector as a potential safe haven in the current market.

  • What is the importance of the upcoming earnings reports for companies like Target, Walmart, and Palo Alto Networks?

    -Earnings reports are crucial as they provide insights into the financial health and future prospects of these companies. They can significantly influence investor sentiment and stock prices, especially in the current market context where investor sentiment is already cautious.

Outlines

00:00

📉 AI Stocks and Market Update

Joseph Hogue discusses the current state of the stock market, focusing on AI stocks which have seen significant declines despite the overall market being only slightly down from its peak. Mega cap companies like Nvidia and smaller firms such as C3.ai and Palantir are highlighted, with their recent drops in share price. The potential for further market weakness and the implications for AI stocks are examined, questioning whether the AI stock bubble is bursting or if this is a temporary setback before higher prices. Hogue also mentions an exclusive report on 'forever stocks' for long-term investment and provides a link for viewers to access this resource.

05:03

📈 Opportunities in AI Stock Decline

The script shifts to exploring the potential opportunities presented by the decline in AI stocks. It emphasizes the long-term growth prospects of AI technology and how a further drop in stock prices could make valuations more attractive. Historical examples, such as the crash of internet stocks during the .com bust and the subsequent rebound, are cited to encourage confidence in AI stocks as a multi-year investment theme. Specific stocks to watch, including AMC Entertainment, Sempra Energy, and retail giants like Target and Walmart, are discussed along with their recent developments and upcoming earnings reports. The importance of the software security industry, represented by Palo Alto Networks, is also highlighted in relation to the growth of AI.

10:05

📊 Market Sentiment and Sector Performance

The final paragraph delves into the broader market sentiment and the performance of various sectors. It notes the continued weakness in the technology sector, which is dragging down the overall market despite gains in other areas like energy and healthcare. The significance of tech stocks, particularly heavyweights like Apple and Microsoft, to the overall market performance is underscored. The potential impact of upcoming earnings reports on market direction is mentioned, with a focus on investor sentiment. The paragraph concludes with an analysis of the utility sector, which has underperformed but offers potential for safety and upside in a market pullback, and encourages viewers to consider this sector for investment.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡AI Stocks

AI Stocks refer to shares in companies that are involved in the development and application of artificial intelligence technologies. In the video, it is mentioned that AI stocks are experiencing a significant drop, with Nvidia and smaller companies like C3 and Palantir seeing substantial declines in their stock prices, indicating a potential bubble or a temporary market correction.

💡Market Update

A market update is a report or analysis that provides information on the current state of the stock market, including trends, stock performances, and economic news. The script discusses a weekly market update that aims to prepare viewers for the upcoming week's financial events and stock movements, particularly focusing on AI stocks.

💡Nvidia

Nvidia is a major company specializing in the production of graphics processing units (GPUs) that are crucial for AI applications. The script highlights that Nvidia's stock price has fallen from its peak, which is indicative of the broader trend in AI stocks and reflects investor sentiment towards the AI sector.

💡C3.ai

C3.ai is a company that provides AI applications for business use. The script mentions that C3.ai's stock has plunged significantly, which is a key example of the volatility within the AI stock market and how smaller companies are affected by market sentiment and investor behavior.

💡Palantir

Palantir is a software company known for its data analysis platforms, which have applications in AI. The video script notes that Palantir's stock has also seen a sharp decline, further emphasizing the current challenges within the AI stock sector.

💡Bubble Bursting

Bubble bursting refers to the sudden and sharp decline in the value of an asset or a group of assets, often following a period of rapid price increase. In the context of the video, it questions whether the decline in AI stocks signifies the bursting of a speculative bubble that had formed due to over-enthusiasm for AI technology.

💡Head Fake

A head fake in finance refers to a misleading price movement that gives the impression of a trend reversal but ultimately continues in the original direction. The script suggests that the current downturn in AI stocks could be a head fake, implying that prices may rise again after the temporary dip.

💡Price to Sales Ratio

Price to sales ratio (P/S ratio) is a valuation ratio calculated by dividing a company's stock price by its per-share sales. It is used to determine the relative value of a company's stock in terms of its selling price. The video discusses how AI stocks, including Nvidia, are trading at high P/S ratios, indicating that they may be overvalued compared to their sales figures.

💡Earnings Reports

Earnings reports are official statements released by companies that detail their financial performance over a specific period. In the script, it is mentioned that companies talking up their AI initiatives in earnings reports have influenced investor behavior and stock prices, even if the actual impact of AI on their earnings is not as significant as portrayed.

💡Profit Taking

Profit taking is the act of selling an asset to realize a profit after it has increased in value. The script suggests that profit taking could be one of the reasons for the decline in AI stocks, as investors sell their shares to lock in gains after the substantial run-up in prices.

💡Multi-Year Theme

A multi-year theme refers to a long-term trend or investment strategy that is expected to continue over several years. The video emphasizes that AI is not just a short-term fad but a multi-year theme that will continue to influence the market and society, suggesting that investors should have a long-term perspective when investing in AI stocks.

Highlights

AI stocks are reacting to the market downturn, with Nvidia down 15% and smaller companies like C3 and Palantir experiencing even steeper declines.

The potential of AI is real, as evidenced by Nvidia's forecast of a record $11 billion in sales for Q2, surprising the market.

Investors rushed into AI stocks, sending Nvidia's shares up 28% and C3.ai up 345% in seven months.

AI-related companies began to emphasize their AI initiatives, even if the reality was far different, to attract investor interest.

Nvidia became the fourth largest company in the S&P 500, accounting for 3% of the market index.

AI stocks are trading at high valuations, with Nvidia at 40 times revenue compared to an average of half that over the last five years.

Investors are questioning if the AI stock bubble is about to burst or if the current dip is a temporary setback.

A potential market pullback could further affect AI stocks, with estimates suggesting a 3-7% drop before stocks continue higher.

AI is a multi-year theme and an integral part of future developments, suggesting that current valuations may become more attractive with a further drop.

The tech-heavy NASDAQ fell 1.9% last week, extending its losses to 5.6% from its one-year high.

Utility stocks, such as those in the XLU ETF, offer safety and strong dividends, making them attractive in a potentially falling market.

Retail earnings reports this week may indicate further erosion in profits from inflation, affecting stock prices.

Palo Alto Networks is expected to post strong sales and earnings growth, despite a recent sell-off in the software security industry.

The overall market direction will be influenced by investor sentiment until the end of the month, with tech stocks playing a significant role.

The utility sector is underperforming the market but offers a strong dividend yield and potential for price appreciation.

AI stocks, despite their current downturn, are expected to rebound as AI technology becomes more integrated into various industries.