Wall Street is positioning for a potential $100 billion deal surge in 2026, with major technology acquisitions already signaling the shift. ServiceNow is reportedly targeting cybersecurity firm Armis for $7 billion, while Intel evaluates AI chipmaker SambaNova. Concurrently, gold’s holiday rally and forecasts of waning dominance for the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks are prompting investors to reconsider their strategies for the coming year.
about Wall Street Eyes 2026 M&A Boom as Tech Deals Heat Up
Intel
Intel Stock Rally Fades Despite Upbeat Forecast
Intel’s stock rally evaporated on Friday as investor optimism about the company’s improved forecast gave way to concerns about ongoing challenges. Despite beating expectations with fourth-quarter sales projections of $13.3 billion, the chipmaker’s shares pared early gains of up to 7.8% as Wall Street remained skeptical about Intel’s ability to execute its turnaround strategy in the competitive semiconductor landscape.
about Intel Stock Rally Fades Despite Upbeat ForecastIntel Profits, $38B Data Center Debt, BOE AI Probe
The technology sector is experiencing a pivotal moment as Intel’s return to profitability signals chipmaker recovery while massive financial commitments to AI infrastructure face growing regulatory scrutiny. Banks are preparing a $38 billion debt offering for Oracle’s data center expansion, even as the Bank of England launches an investigation into data center lending practices amid concerns about an AI investment bubble. This convergence of corporate earnings, massive capital deployment, and regulatory oversight highlights both the optimism and caution surrounding artificial intelligence’s rapid expansion.
about Intel Profits, $38B Data Center Debt, BOE AI ProbeMicron: AI’s Undervalued Memory Powerhouse Up 145%
While Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing dominate AI headlines, memory chip maker Micron Technology has quietly surged 145% year-to-date while remaining deeply undervalued. The company’s high-bandwidth memory technology is becoming indispensable for AI data centers and complex workloads. Despite the massive rally, Micron trades at just 10 times forward earnings, presenting a rare opportunity in the overheated AI sector.
about Micron: AI's Undervalued Memory Powerhouse Up 145%Quantum Stocks Rally on Gov’t Investment Speculation
Quantum computing stocks are experiencing a sustained rally despite official denials from the U.S. government about current equity stake negotiations. Following a Wall Street Journal report detailing potential federal investments in the sector, shares of IonQ, Rigetti Computing, D-Wave Quantum, and Quantum Computing Inc. surged by double-digit percentages, with the momentum continuing even after the Commerce Department stated it was “not currently negotiating equity stakes with quantum computing companies.” Investors appear to be interpreting the carefully worded denial as leaving room for future action, betting on quantum computing’s strategic importance in the U.S.-China technology race.
about Quantum Stocks Rally on Gov't Investment Speculation3 Tech Stocks Outperforming Nvidia With Better Valuations
While Nvidia continues to dominate the AI landscape, several semiconductor companies are delivering superior returns with more attractive valuations. Micron, Lam Research, and Intel have all significantly outperformed NVDA year-to-date, offering investors alternative plays in the AI boom with potentially less downside risk.
about 3 Tech Stocks Outperforming Nvidia With Better ValuationsIntel Stock Reverses After Earnings Despite Price Target Boost
Intel Corporation (INTC) experienced a dramatic intraday reversal during Friday’s trading session, erasing initial gains that followed the company’s latest earnings report. Despite Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon raising his price target on the stock, the legacy chipmaker failed to maintain investor enthusiasm, with shares ultimately closing in negative territory. This sharp pullback highlights the persistent challenges facing Intel as it navigates a highly competitive semiconductor landscape and ongoing transformation efforts.
about Intel Stock Reverses After Earnings Despite Price Target BoostWall Street Bullish on Tech Stocks Amid Cooling Inflation
Wall Street analysts are showing renewed optimism across major technology stocks as cooler-than-expected inflation data boosts market sentiment. Multiple firms have issued bullish ratings and price target increases for companies including Microsoft, Coinbase, and Intel ahead of key earnings reports. The positive outlook comes alongside strong corporate earnings and favorable macroeconomic conditions.
about Wall Street Bullish on Tech Stocks Amid Cooling InflationIntel’s AI Strategy & Q3 Earnings: NVIDIA Deal, Foundry Growth
Intel delivered a surprisingly strong third-quarter performance that beat expectations and sent shares up 5.42% pre-market, signaling a potential turning point for the semiconductor giant. With revenue of $13.70 billion exceeding consensus estimates and non-GAAP EPS of $0.23 far surpassing the expected $0.01, the results highlight Intel’s strategic pivot toward AI collaboration, foundry expansion, and financial discipline. The company’s deepening partnership with NVIDIA and significant progress in its foundry business underscore a fundamental repositioning within the rapidly evolving AI hardware ecosystem.
about Intel's AI Strategy & Q3 Earnings: NVIDIA Deal, Foundry GrowthCooler Inflation Sparks Market Rally, Fed Rate Cut Hopes
U.S. stocks surged as September’s inflation data came in cooler than expected, with the Consumer Price Index hitting 3% versus the 3.1% forecast, fueling expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts and sparking broad market optimism. Strong corporate earnings from Intel and Procter & Gamble provided additional momentum, while analysts issued bullish upgrades on technology giants including Amazon, Coinbase, and Microsoft, creating a perfect storm of positive catalysts for equity markets.
about Cooler Inflation Sparks Market Rally, Fed Rate Cut HopesUS Futures Rise Ahead of Key CPI Data; Trump Halts Canada Talks
US equity futures advanced as investors awaited the delayed September CPI report, a crucial inflation gauge that could shape Federal Reserve policy. In a surprising diplomatic move, President Trump suspended trade negotiations with Canada over a controversial tariff advertisement campaign funded by the Ontario government. Meanwhile, Intel shares gained significant momentum following the chipmaker’s return to profitability and optimistic forward guidance, providing a bright spot in the pre-market trading session.
about US Futures Rise Ahead of Key CPI Data; Trump Halts Canada TalksUS Weighs Quantum Computing Funding in Tech Race with China
The Trump administration is exploring financial support for quantum computing companies as part of the escalating technology competition with China. Commerce Department officials are considering using Chips Act funding to back projects deemed critical to national security. This initiative represents another step in what experts describe as a de facto sovereign wealth fund operation, marking a significant shift in how the U.S. government approaches strategic technology investments.
about US Weighs Quantum Computing Funding in Tech Race with China