Amazon.com IncAmazon is one of the hyperscalers that have sharply reduced share buybacks to fund AI capex.
A surge in artificial intelligence-related capital spending is unlikely to undermine share buybacks across the broader U.S. equity market, according to Deutsche Bank. Capital expenditure across the S&P 500 has climbed from an annualized pace of roughly $1 trillion to about $1.5 trillion over the past two years, with around two-thirds of that increase coming from five hyperscalers: Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet, Meta Platforms and Oracle. Those companies have sharply reduced share buybacks as they channel more cash into AI infrastructure, but the spending is driving strong earnings growth among AI infrastructure suppliers, which have begun increasing their own repurchases. Overall, S&P 500 net buybacks reached a record $270 billion during the first quarter, with gross buybacks climbing to about $300 billion, and current levels remain broadly in line with historical relationships to earnings and market capitalization. Rising inflows into U.S. equities, elevated household cash balances, and continued earnings growth are expected to provide support despite a recent jump in IPOs and secondary offerings.
Amazon.com IncAmazon is one of the hyperscalers that have sharply reduced share buybacks to fund AI capex.
Alphabet Inc Class CAlphabet is one of the hyperscalers that have sharply reduced share buybacks to fund AI capex.
Meta Platforms Inc.Meta is one of the hyperscalers that have sharply reduced share buybacks to fund AI capex.
Microsoft CorporationMicrosoft is one of the hyperscalers that have sharply reduced share buybacks to fund AI capex.
Oracle CorporationOracle is one of the hyperscalers that have sharply reduced share buybacks to fund AI capex.