The Fed held rates, inflation is still above target, and uncertainty is rising — that means the "buy anything AI" trade is over. Smart money is rotating fast toward the companies actually building AI infrastructure: chips, cloud capacity, and mission-critical data tools. Big Tech alone is projected to spend $635B–$665B on AI in 2026 — and not all of it is going where most investors are looking.
We've identified 9 AI stocks worth watching right now — including a lesser-known chip name tied to U.S. AI infrastructure, a cloud player with improving setup, and a data analytics company with government exposure. This isn't hype. It's about following where capital is actually being deployed.
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Friday, September 25, 2026: Five moves worth your attention, stripped to what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next.
Iran dangles a Hormuz reset and nuclear talks, on a seven-day clock
Iran signaled it is prepared to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days and restart nuclear talks, a message aimed at cooling a standoff that has been squeezing energy markets and shipping risk. The timing matters: it arrives as the region is absorbing another burst of attacks, raising doubts about how quickly threats to transit can truly fade.
The offer came as the Houthis launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes at Saudi targets Friday morning, reinforcing the reality that Iran can talk de-escalation while its aligned actors keep pressure on U.S. partners. Markets will treat the seven-day promise as provisional until there is verifiable maritime security and a diplomatic process with clear terms.
Source: CNBC
Image via TODAY
Trump rolls out the red carpet for Xi, with Big Tech in the room
President Donald Trump hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at a White House state dinner Thursday, a deliberate show of high-level engagement even as trade, chips, and security tensions remain unresolved. The guest list was a signal in itself: major U.S. tech leaders attended, underscoring how much corporate America wants predictability in the U.S.-China relationship.
The dinner is optics, but not trivial optics. When Washington and Beijing talk at the top, it can lower near-term tail risks for markets and supply chains, even if the underlying disputes stay largely intact.
Source: TODAY
Read the full story at TODAY →
Pentagon planning turns to Cuba, with a 90–120 day window in view
The U.S. military is laying groundwork for potential action around Cuba, according to an internal Army message reviewed by CBS News. The message indicated some units could be "possibly needed in 90–120 days," suggesting contingency planning is moving from generic to more time-bound preparation.
The reporting does not mean an operation is imminent, but it does imply the administration wants options ready if events on the island or in the region deteriorate. Watch for follow-on indicators: logistics requests, increased intelligence activity, and sharper public messaging that frames a rationale.
Source: CBS News
Read the full story at CBS News →
Bitcoin bulls revive the “supercycle” pitch as whales take the wheel
A new Seeking Alpha analysis argues the setup for a Bitcoin “supercycle” may be forming, pointing to whale behavior and market structure signals that can precede outsized runs. The core claim: deep-pocketed holders are positioning in a way that could tighten available supply and amplify upside if demand accelerates.
This is not a forecast you can bank on, but it is a reminder of how crypto rallies usually start: quiet accumulation, improving liquidity conditions, and then a narrative that arrives after the move begins. The near-term tell will be whether price strength is matched by spot demand and sustained inflows rather than leverage-only spikes.
Source: Seeking Alpha
Read the full story at Seeking Alpha →
Bond market flinches: 10-year yield rips to 5.10% after hot PMIs
Treasury yields jumped sharply after purchasing managers’ data came in hot, with inflation signals that spooked investors: the 10-year surged 13 basis points to 5.10%. The move was broad, with the 2-year up 13 basis points to 4.90%, the 7-year up 14 basis points to 5.04%, and the 30-year hitting 5.39%.
This is the market re-pricing the idea that inflation is not done, which tightens financial conditions without the Fed lifting a finger. The next watch item is whether this becomes a trend (higher highs in yields) or a one-off panic that fades once auctions and incoming inflation prints provide a reality check.
Source: Wolf Street
Read the full story at Wolf Street →
That’s the day: diplomacy with deadlines, dinners with subtext, contingency planning, crypto narratives, and a bond market that’s done being patient.
— Daily Recap Editorial