Stock Decline

Cisco’s stock plummeted 12% due to soaring memory component costs, driven by AI demand. The global memory shortage, particularly for high-bandwidth memory needed in AI data centers, has driven up prices and constrained supply for other electronics, impacting companies like Apple and Dell. Cisco is adjusting product prices and renegotiating supplier contracts to manage these rising costs, despite reporting better-than-expected quarterly results. The company’s gross margin also saw a slight decrease, attributed to product mix and higher memory expenses.

AMD’s stock dropped 17% after its Q1 revenue forecast, despite exceeding Q4 estimates. While AMD projected Q1 revenue above expectations, the market anticipated a more aggressive outlook driven by AI chip demand. Analysts pointed to high expectations and unexpected Chinese revenue as factors tempering the perceived beat. Nonetheless, data center demand remains strong, and strategic partnerships with OpenAI and Oracle highlight AMD’s significant role in AI infrastructure, suggesting continued growth despite market recalibrations.

Microsoft shares saw their biggest daily drop since 2020 despite exceeding revenue expectations. This occurred as investors weighed the company’s significant AI investments against slightly decelerated Azure growth and cautious third-quarter guidance. While some analysts point to capacity allocation for internal AI development as a short-term drag, others believe this strategic prioritization of long-term AI advantages will ultimately benefit the company. Many remain bullish, citing Microsoft’s leading AI position and foundational strengths.

SAP’s stock plunged 16% as fourth-quarter cloud backlog growth of 16% missed analyst expectations. The company cited large transformational deals and legal termination clauses for the shortfall, though CEO Christian Klein remains optimistic about future revenue acceleration. Investors are also watching SAP’s response to AI’s potential impact on software development demand and its own R&D integration efforts.

Cloud software stocks are declining in 2026, with companies like Salesforce and Adobe down significantly. This sell-off is fueled by fears that AI agents will disrupt enterprise software by automating tasks. Mid-sized companies are exploring financing and potential acquisitions by private equity. While some see buying opportunities, “seat-based” application providers are considered vulnerable. Companies are rushing to integrate AI, but investor confidence remains shaky, suggesting a wave of acquisitions and strategic shifts are likely.

Meta Platforms’ stock plummeted despite a strong earnings report, triggered by investor apprehension over escalating AI spending. The company revised its 2025 capital expenditure forecast upwards to $70-72 billion, signaling an intensified pursuit of advanced AI technologies. CEO Zuckerberg defended the aggressive investment, emphasizing early returns and Meta’s ambition to build capacity for “superintelligence.” The increased spending reflects a broader industry trend, with Alphabet and Microsoft also increasing their capital expenditure projections. Meta invested heavily in AI startup Scale AI, and secured new cloud computing agreements. A $15.93 billion tax charge also impacted earnings.

Figma’s stock plummeted nearly 20% after its first earnings report as a public company, despite revenue of $249.6 million, a 41% year-over-year increase. Analysts noted the report as a “non-event,” highlighting the stock’s volatility since its IPO. Figma’s value has dropped over 50% from its initial trading day, with a market cap now around $27 billion. Q3 revenue is projected at $263-$265 million, a 33% growth. The company’s net retention rate decreased slightly from 132% to 129%, requiring a clear strategy for sustained growth.