Technology

Anthropic has secured over $10 billion in funding, reaching a $350 billion valuation. This significant investment, potentially boosted by Microsoft and Nvidia, highlights investor confidence in their AI technology, including the Claude models. The capital will fuel Anthropic’s research and development, intensifying the AI arms race as they compete with rivals like OpenAI.

At the start of 2026, investors reviewed 34 holdings, focusing on potential turnarounds and resilience. Key turnaround candidates include Nike, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, and Texas Roadhouse. The portfolio also features strong conviction in Apple, Amazon, Broadcom, Boeing, and BlackRock. Other notable companies like Bristol-Myers Squibb, Capital One, Costco, Salesforce, CrowdStrike, Cisco, DuPont, Danaher, Dover, Eaton, GE Vernova, Corning, Alphabet, Goldman Sachs, Home Depot, Honeywell, Linde, Eli Lilly, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Palo Alto Networks, Qnity Electronics, TJX Companies, and Wells Fargo are also under assessment for their strategic positions and future growth.

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) has raised $15 billion across five new funds, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, and “American Dynamism.” A significant portion will go to a growth fund, with allocations for applications, infrastructure, and defense/aerospace initiatives. This move reflects a pivot towards defense technology and a broader strategy to bolster U.S. technological and industrial capabilities amidst evolving geopolitical landscapes. The firm’s substantial fundraising marks a significant portion of U.S. venture capital deployment.

ASE Technology Holding reported strong 2025 results, with consolidated net revenues reaching approximately US$20.8 billion, an 11.8% increase year-over-year. The fourth quarter also saw robust growth. Demand for advanced packaging and testing services, driven by AI, 5G, and complex ICs, fueled this performance. The Advanced Technology Materials segment showed significant year-over-year revenue growth, highlighting its critical role in next-generation chip manufacturing.

Investors navigate mixed market signals as Nasdaq dips while Dow shows resilience. Jim Cramer advises caution, emphasizing transient early-year jitters. Cantor Fitzgerald upgrades Alphabet (GOOGL) to “buy” on its strong AI positioning, highlighting Gemini models. Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) rebounds but faces headwinds from rising beef prices, prompting earnings risk awareness. Other stocks like Constellation Brands and Ford were also mentioned.

Knowledge Atlas Technology (Zhipu), a Chinese AI startup, debuted on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange after a $558 million IPO. The company, recognized as an “AI tiger,” is a leading developer of large language models and aims to compete globally. Despite U.S. restrictions impacting its AI model training capabilities, Zhipu plans to allocate a significant portion of its IPO funds to R&D. Another AI firm, MiniMax, is also expected to go public soon.

CNBC is now accepting applications for the 2026 Disruptor 50 list, focusing on AI companies deploying technology at scale for tangible business value. Submissions are due February 23rd. Companies founded after January 1, 2011, are eligible. The selection process will evaluate scalability, growth, and technology implementation, reflecting a shift towards pragmatic, enterprise-centric disruption and public market readiness, even for capital-intensive ventures.

Ambarella will host a Product and Technology Briefing on January 6, 2026, to discuss advancements in edge AI semiconductors. The event will cover innovations in areas like ADAS, autonomous driving, and robotics, focusing on their CVflow AI SoC architecture. Investors can expect insights into the company’s strategic direction and how it plans to leverage the growing demand for AI processing at the edge. A live webcast will be available.

While AI dominated Wall Street, defense and space stocks soared. Companies like Planet Labs and EchoStar saw significant gains due to renewed interest in national security, lunar exploration, and the burgeoning “orbital economy.” Government investment in defense, alongside commercial ventures in satellite imagery, connectivity, and drone technology, fueled this growth, demonstrating lucrative opportunities beyond traditional tech hubs.