
Strong earnings from tech giants like AMD, NVIDIA, Corning, and Amazon highlight ongoing robust investment in AI infrastructure, reassuring investors despite concerns about valuations and capital costs. Software and cybersecurity firms such as Fortinet, Twilio, Datadog, and Akamai saw stock gains as investors bet these companies can profit from AI advancements rather than be disrupted. Meanwhile, US economic data shows mixed signals with weakening labor trends and consumer sentiment contrasting with steady manufacturing and jobless claims, suggesting a slowing but not collapsing economy. This dynamic underscores AI's dominant role in market optimism for 2026 amid broader economic uncertainties.