WS #15707
The AI infrastructure trade remains robust with Salesforce jumping on the acquisition of AI analytics platform Loops and IREN securing a multi-year cloud deal with Anthropic. Concurrently, ASML is raising prices for EUV parts by 10%, indicating strong demand from Samsung and SK Hynix. These developments highlight a divergence where AI-capable infrastructure providers are seeing margin expansion and revenue growth despite broader tech valuation concerns. Apple is facing supply chain friction as high memory chip costs and softer-than-expected demand have led to reduced orders for the iPhone 18 Pro. This development signals potential margin pressure and inventory adjustments for Apple and its suppliers, contrasting with the broader AI hardware rally. The move suggests that hardware margins are being squeezed by component inflation.
AI Infrastructure & Software M&A
The AI infrastructure trade remains robust with Salesforce jumping on the acquisition of AI analytics platform Loops and IREN securing a multi-year cloud deal with Anthropic. Concurrently, ASML is raising prices for EUV parts by 10%, indicating strong demand from Samsung and SK Hynix. These developments highlight a divergence where AI-capable infrastructure providers are seeing margin expansion and revenue growth despite broader tech valuation concerns.
Apple is facing supply chain friction as high memory chip costs and softer-than-expected demand have led to reduced orders for the iPhone 18 Pro. This development signals potential margin pressure and inventory adjustments for Apple and its suppliers, contrasting with the broader AI hardware rally. The move suggests that hardware margins are being squeezed by component inflation.