Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks - Earnings Beat Alert

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AI Data Layer Stocks - economic indicators, GDP growth, and employment data. Real-time updates allow for rapid adjustments in trading strategies. Investors can reallocate capital, hedge positions, or take profits quickly when unexpected market movements occur. Anthropic has reportedly achieved a valuation of approximately $965 billion after securing $65 billion in a recent funding round, pushing the AI startup closer to the trillion-dollar mark. In an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Friday, Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said that this milestone is merely “just the tip of the spear” for the AI rally, suggesting that investor demand for AI companies is still in its early stages. Ives noted that “for the first time in 30 years, the U.S. is ahead of China” on technology, a shift he sees as a key driver for future investments. He urged investors to broaden their focus beyond frontier AI models and turn attention to “data layer” companies, specifically naming Snowflake, Datadog, and InnoData as firms that could benefit from AI infrastructure spending. He pointed to recent performances from Snowflake and Dell as evidence of where corporate spending is accelerating, saying, “Our view is the second, third, fourth derivative, just like we saw this week with Snowflake and Dell, is showing where the spending is.” Ives’ comments are part of a broader market outlook he has shared in previous CNBC interviews, predicting the Nasdaq Composite will top 30,000 points by 2027. He also described the upcoming period as “historic” for Wall Street, citing a pipeline of mega-IPOs expected in 2026. Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks Predictive tools are increasingly used for timing trades. While they cannot guarantee outcomes, they provide structured guidance.Sector rotation analysis is a valuable tool for capturing market cycles. By observing which sectors outperform during specific macro conditions, professionals can strategically allocate capital to capitalize on emerging trends while mitigating potential losses in underperforming areas.Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks Scenario modeling helps assess the impact of market shocks. Investors can plan strategies for both favorable and adverse conditions.Access to continuous data feeds allows investors to react more efficiently to sudden changes. In fast-moving environments, even small delays in information can significantly impact decision-making.

Key Highlights

AI Data Layer Stocks - economic indicators, GDP growth, and employment data. Market participants often refine their approach over time. Experience teaches them which indicators are most reliable for their style. A key takeaway from Ives’ analysis is that the AI investment cycle may be deepening beyond the initial wave of large language model builders. While Anthropic’s sky-high valuation captures headlines, Ives suggests that the real growth potential lies in the infrastructure layer—companies that provide the data storage, processing, and analytics capabilities needed to support AI applications. This perspective could have significant market implications. If corporate spending on AI continues to expand, firms like Snowflake (data cloud), Datadog (monitoring and analytics), and InnoData (data infrastructure) may see increased demand for their services. Ives’ mention of Dell also highlights the role of hardware and enterprise solutions in this ecosystem. However, investors should note that many of these stocks have already experienced substantial gains, and valuations may reflect elevated expectations. The broader context includes Ives’ bullish call on the Nasdaq reaching 30,000 points by 2027—a roughly 80% increase from current levels based on market data. Such an outlook implies sustained growth in technology stocks, though it remains a forecast subject to macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical factors, and execution risks. Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks Access to continuous data feeds allows investors to react more efficiently to sudden changes. In fast-moving environments, even small delays in information can significantly impact decision-making.Real-time access to global market trends enhances situational awareness. Traders can better understand the impact of external factors on local markets.Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks Professionals emphasize the importance of trend confirmation. A signal is more reliable when supported by volume, momentum indicators, and macroeconomic alignment, reducing the likelihood of acting on transient or false patterns.Diversifying the type of data analyzed can reduce exposure to blind spots. For instance, tracking both futures and energy markets alongside equities can provide a more complete picture of potential market catalysts.

Expert Insights

AI Data Layer Stocks - economic indicators, GDP growth, and employment data. Real-time updates can help identify breakout opportunities. Quick action is often required to capitalize on such movements. From an investment perspective, the AI landscape may continue to present opportunities, but diversification and caution are warranted. Ives’ recommendation to look at data layer companies suggests that the AI theme could broaden beyond a handful of high-profile names. However, no single forecast or analyst opinion should be taken as a guarantee of future performance. The potential for mega-IPOs in 2026 could further reshape the technology sector, possibly introducing new competitors and investment avenues. Yet the timing and valuations of such IPOs remain uncertain. Meanwhile, the rivalry between the US and China in AI adds a geopolitical dimension that could influence market dynamics—Ives’ assertion of US leadership, while optimistic, may evolve as both nations continue to invest heavily. Investors considering exposure to AI-related stocks might weigh the risks of high valuations against the possible long-term growth trajectory. The cautious approach would be to monitor earnings and spending trends among data infrastructure companies, as well as broader tech sector performance. As always, individual financial goals and risk tolerance should guide decisions. Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks Understanding macroeconomic cycles enhances strategic investment decisions. Expansionary periods favor growth sectors, whereas contraction phases often reward defensive allocations. Professional investors align tactical moves with these cycles to optimize returns.Access to multiple perspectives can help refine investment strategies. Traders who consult different data sources often avoid relying on a single signal, reducing the risk of following false trends.Wedbush’s Dan Ives: Anthropic’s $965 Billion Valuation Is ‘Tip of the Spear’ for AI Rally, Sees Focus on Data Layer Stocks Some traders prioritize speed during volatile periods. Quick access to data allows them to take advantage of short-lived opportunities.Professionals often track the behavior of institutional players. Large-scale trades and order flows can provide insight into market direction, liquidity, and potential support or resistance levels, which may not be immediately evident to retail investors.