The Swiss financial giant UBS has adjusted its global equity list, reducing exposure to major tech companies and increasing allocations to semiconductor firms. This move reflects the bank’s ongoing optimism about artificial intelligence’s long-term growth potential.
UBS considers AI the most impactful innovation in human history, despite recent solid gains in the sector. The bank’s report emphasizes that AI growth is still in its early stages, with ample investment opportunities across three main layers: enablement, intelligence, and application.
UBS analysts identify strong tactical catalysts for the next 12 to 18 months. These include robust capital expenditure growth and improved monetization prospects. The bank’s strategy aligns with its view of AI’s transformative potential.
The revised list adds NXP Semiconductors with a 0.5 percentage point (pp) weight. Conversely, UBS reduced weights for Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle by 0.5 pp each. Broadcom and Micron weights increased by 0.5 pp, while Nvidia’s weight rose by 1 pp.
UBS prefers AI infrastructure companies with strong pricing power and competitive positioning. The bank also favors well-positioned platform and application beneficiaries for AI-related use cases. This strategy reflects UBS’s confidence in AI’s future market dominance.
The bank’s analysts compare ChatGPT’s launch to past technological milestones like Netscape for the internet and Windows for personal computers. This comparison underscores AI’s potential to revolutionize various industries and sectors.
UBS Reshapes Global Stock List, Cuts Big Tech for Semiconductor Bets
Looking ahead, UBS projects that the AI market could reach annual trillion-dollar revenue levels over the next decade. The bank acknowledges varying estimates but notes widespread agreement on this potential market size.
UBS also highlights AI’s potential to significantly boost productivity. The report projects a substantial increase in real GDP per worker, driven by the adoption of generative AI. This forecast underscores AI’s potential economic impact across various sectors.
The bank’s strategic shift towards semiconductor firms and away from big tech reflects a nuanced approach to AI investment. UBS aims to capitalize on the technology’s growth potential while recognizing the changing landscape of market leaders in this rapidly evolving field.