Over the past several years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has driven a powerful investment cycle. Companies viewed as AI pioneers have seen their stock prices move significantly higher. In this Learning Spotlight, we will revisit the WT Wealth Management NexGen strategy while outlining why this AI Supercycle is different from the tech-bubble era of the early 2000’s. While today’s AI enthusiasm shares some characteristics with prior tech-bubbles we view this cycle as more fundamentally grounded.
Often, the most transformative companies are those not yet on investors’ radar. For example, during the early stages of the internet boom in the late 1990s, no one was focused on Alphabet, Netflix, and Meta had yet to form as a company, yet each went on to benefit from the development of the internet.
Today, the AI buildout is supported by meaningful technological advances and real-world adoption, suggesting a more durable foundation for growth. However, there will likely be periods of consolidation along the way.
Even in this early stage, AI technologies are being leveraged to improve productivity, automate processes, and enhance decision-making across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, software, and financial services. The scale of corporate investment and the tangible business benefits being realized suggest that while investor sentiment is elevated, it is not entirely disconnected from reality.
At WT Wealth Management, we view the current environment as distinct from the internet bubble of 1999
Companies investing in the buildout of AI infrastructure are generating substantial free cash flow and funding growth organically. In contrast, the 1999 internet bubble was fueled largely by capital markets (borrowing money and issuing stock), with many businesses reliant on external financing and unsustainable business models that were not generating a profit.
In 2000 & 2001, the capital markets’ funding retreated, driven by higher interest rates and lack of near-term revenues. That dynamic, coupled with low returns from these investments, became problematic to investors and they aggressively sold much of their technology portfolios.
The current AI cycle appears more durable, supported by companies that are generally profitable and reinvesting internally generated cash flow to support future growth. That said, select companies are accessing the capital markets to fund some of their AI-related growth initiatives, a dynamic we are closely monitoring.
The Investment Committee at WT Wealth Management strongly believes that tech-leaders like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta and Apple are uniquely positioned to outspend and out-invest nearly every competitor to dominate AI in the years ahead.
Our NexGen Portfolio seeks to identify companies with wide moats, innovative technologies, strong balance sheets, and visionary management teams. We previously provided a deep dive on NexGen, and I would encourage you to revisit the Learning Spotlight on the link below.
We believe AI represents a transformative and enduring theme, but one that will experience cycles of enthusiasm and consolidation. As disciplined investors, we don’t attempt to time those cycles. Instead, we focus on distinguishing between durable beneficiaries versus speculative participants.
Please contact your financial advisor to determine if an allocation to NexGen is appropriate for your financial situation.
The WT Wealth Management Learning Spotlights are designed to inform, inspire, and foster meaningful dialogue between our clients and the WT Wealth Management team. Our goal is to demystify complex economic and investment topics, offering clear, practical insights that connect financial theory to real-world decisions.