Stephen Auth

Stocks are an inflation hedge and earnings growth remains strong, driven by AI-driven productivity gains and margin expansion. The S&P 500 is set to reach 9000 by end of 2027 and 8004 by end of 2026, supported by broad-based earnings growth across sectors, not just AI.

Chip manufacturers, especially memory names, have shifted from a boom-bust cycle to a disciplined oligopoly with long-term contracts and built-in price increases, warranting a re-rating from cyclical multiples toward market multiples; the current drawdown is a buying opportunity.

Small caps are way ahead year-to-date, and a broadening out is expected, making small-cap stocks attractive as the bull market matures and rotates.

Speaker stated portfolios have been switched towards "hard asset companies" and names companies like Chevron and Micron, whose free cash flow is "ballooning" and will go "up by eight times over the next couple of years," respectively. The AI investment cycle is turning big tech mega-caps from big free cash flow generators into entities that are not, in the near term. In contrast, companies in the "old economy" and specific tech hardware (like memory) are generating and will grow substantial free cash flow now. The market will reallocate towards companies demonstrating strong current and projected free cash flow growth, which currently reside outside of the traditional tech leadership. A rapid de-escalation in Iran and a collapse in energy prices would undermine the commodity-linked free cash flow thesis for names like Chevron.

Speaker stated portfolios have been switched towards "hard asset companies" and names companies like Chevron and Micron, whose free cash flow is "ballooning" and will go "up by eight times over the next couple of years," respectively. The AI investment cycle is turning big tech mega-caps from big free cash flow generators into entities that are not, in the near term. In contrast, companies in the "old economy" and specific tech hardware (like memory) are generating and will grow substantial free cash flow now. The market will reallocate towards companies demonstrating strong current and projected free cash flow growth, which currently reside outside of the traditional tech leadership. A rapid de-escalation in Iran and a collapse in energy prices would undermine the commodity-linked free cash flow thesis for names like Chevron.

Auth notes Amazon has a profitable base business (retail/logistics) to fall back on if AI is a bubble. Singh reports Amazon is investing $50B in OpenAI, reducing OpenAI's reliance on Microsoft. Amazon is the "pick and shovel" play that isn't purely speculative. The OpenAI deal validates AWS and Amazon's custom silicon (Trainium/Inferentia) as viable alternatives to Nvidia/Microsoft. LONG AMZN as a diversified AI winner with defensive retail cash flows. AI capex spend (up to $200B mentioned) drags on free cash flow without immediate ROI.

International markets (Europe, Japan, Korea) are heavy on "Asset-Heavy" businesses (manufacturing, industrials) and trade at lower valuations (18x vs US 22x). As the US market compresses due to the "AI disruption" of software, capital will rotate to undervalued, tangible-asset businesses found in international markets. LONG Non-US Developed Markets as a valuation hedge against US Tech. Global recession hurts export-oriented economies like Germany and Korea.

International markets (Europe, Japan, Korea) are heavy on "Asset-Heavy" businesses (manufacturing, industrials) and trade at lower valuations (18x vs US 22x). As the US market compresses due to the "AI disruption" of software, capital will rotate to undervalued, tangible-asset businesses found in international markets. LONG Non-US Developed Markets as a valuation hedge against US Tech. Global recession hurts export-oriented economies like Germany and Korea.

International markets (Europe, Japan, Korea) are heavy on "Asset-Heavy" businesses (manufacturing, industrials) and trade at lower valuations (18x vs US 22x). As the US market compresses due to the "AI disruption" of software, capital will rotate to undervalued, tangible-asset businesses found in international markets. LONG Non-US Developed Markets as a valuation hedge against US Tech. Global recession hurts export-oriented economies like Germany and Korea.

Nvidia sold off recently despite beating earnings. Auth argues the debate is whether AI is a "one-off" build or a 10-year cycle. Nvidia is the *only* player that cannot be cannibalized by AI software because it provides the infrastructure. If the AI build-out continues (as indicated by Dell/CoreWeave capex), Nvidia remains the primary beneficiary. LONG NVDA on pullbacks; it is the "screaming buy" if the AI thesis holds. Hyperscalers (AMZN/GOOG/MSFT) successfully shift to internal custom chips.