
AI stocks in bubble trouble - are Nvidia, Microsoft in danger? Economist says it's worse than the Dot-Com crash of 1999
tech market crash
, one that is even bigger than the dot-com collapse of the late '90s? According to Torsten Sløk, chief economist at Apollo Global Management, we might be, and this time, the bubble is being driven by artificial intelligence, as per a report.
What's sparking fears of an AI-driven crash?
In a recent research note, Sløk warned that stocks like Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, along with seven other companies, have soared so high on AI enthusiasm that their prices are now dangerously detached from reality, as per a Fortune report.
Sløk wrote in his research note that, 'The difference between the IT bubble in the 1990s and the
AI bubble
today is that the top 10 companies in the S&P 500 today are more overvalued than they were in the 1990s,' as quoted by Fortune in its report.
According to the report, currently investors are betting so heavily on AI that the stock price of companies like Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple and others have become detached from their earnings.
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How does this compare to the dot-com bubble of the 1990s?
Sløk even included a chart to explain his analysis, as per Fortune. In the chart, he compared the 12-month forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of the S&P's top 10 companies to the rest of the index and the S&P 500 as a whole, which shows that today's bubble is even bigger than the one that marked the end of the dot-com era, as reported by Fortune.
According to the Fortune report, although most of those top companies are profitable, compared to the losses of many dot-com darlings before the market crash at that time, the fundamentals do not justify the multiples.
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Are investors putting too much faith in AI hype?
Even though the S&P has hit new records recently and is currently close to an all-time high, Sløk pointed out that the performance boost is mainly because of the rise of the Top 10 stocks, according to the Fortune report.
He is concerned that investors are buying the hype and paying prices as if the promises and boasts of these firms, like claims of trillion-dollar savings and world-changing breakthroughs, are already a certainty, as per the report. The Fortune report highlighted that the 1990s were a lesson that not every promise would or could actually become a reality.
Sløk's not the only warning sounding the alarm, even Alibaba Group Chair Joe Tsai has warned that US
AI stocks
are in a bubble, as has long-time tech exec Tom Siebel, as reported by Fortune.
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FAQs
Why are people investing so heavily in AI?
Because AI is seen as the next big revolution, capable of saving companies money, transforming industries, and driving future growth, as per the Fortune report.
Are companies like Nvidia and Microsoft really in danger?
They're strong businesses, but if their stock prices are built on unrealistic expectations, any disappointment could cause a sharp drop, as per Torsten Sløk's analysis.

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Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Amid trade talks with US, India dismisses sanctions threats; thaw in Delhi-Beijing ties; Russia terms EU sanctions ‘unlawful'
As Indian negotiators are in the US to secure a trade deal before the August 1 deadline, New Delhi refutes sanctions threats and cautioned against 'double standards'; thaw in India-China ties but some key issues remain unresolved; EU's sanctions against Russia could affect India's fuel exports to Europe; Hamas claims Israel rejected ceasefire proposal that would have seen the release of all remaining captives held in Gaza – here is weekly roundup of key global news. As Indian negotiators hold talks with their US counterparts in Washington to secure a deal before the August 1 tariff deadline, few developments appear to complicate the trajectory of India-US trade negotiations, including: — A Bill in the US Congress – the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 – that proposes to impose 500 per cent tariffs on buyers of Russian energy; — US President Donald Trump warning of 100 per cent tariffs against Russia's trading partners if the Kremlin does not agree to end the war within 50 days; — North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) chief Mark Rutte doubling down on Trump's threat and warning of similar secondary sanctions against countries doing business with Russia, including India and China. Nonetheless, India gave a firm reply to Rutte's warning and asserted that 'securing the energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us.' New Delhi also cautioned against any 'double standards' on the matter. India's energy imports from Russia shot up following the country's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which prompted much of the West to ban Russian crude. In the 2024-25 financial year, oil imports from Russia accounted for almost 36 per cent of India's total oil imports. Notably, India exported a substantial volume of refined fuel, derived from the imported Russian oil, to Europe. But as part of the latest sanctions announced on Friday (July 18), the European Union (EU) even banned the import of fuels made from Russian crude and coming from third countries. This latest sanction could have serious repercussions for India's fuel exports to Europe. In addition, new tariffs on metals, a likely 10 per cent additional tariffs on countries in the BRICS bloc, and delayed tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs are other thorny issues that have emerged around the India-US trade deal negotiations. Two episodes from the recent past To put things in perspective, two episodes from the recent past can be recalled here. One, a few years ago, India acquired the S-400 missile system – which formed the outermost layer of India's air defence during Operation Sindoor – despite the US threatening sanctions. India made it clear that it would proceed with the S-400 deal anyway. Eventually, the US House carved out an India-specific waiver. Two, New Delhi stopped importing oil from Iran in mid-2019 after sanctions on the Islamic Republic by the Trump administration. However, in the latest episode, it is yet to be seen if the recent tariff threats made against countries like India and China for their energy imports from Russia will translate into tangible tariff action. Nonetheless, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, '…if something happens, we will deal with it… There is sufficient supply available.' In recent years, India has expanded its crude sourcing slate from 27 countries to around 40 countries, he added. Agriculture and dairy All the while, agriculture and dairy continue to remain a major sticking point in the ongoing talks. A farmers' body in India has urged the government to exclude all aspects of agriculture from the US trade deal to protect the interests of farmers. The Indian Coordination Committee of Farmers' Movements (ICCFM), a network of farmers' organisations across 11 states, expressed hope that the same sentiment which led India to wisely withdraw from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade negotiations will prevail in this case as well. The US government is among the world's largest agricultural subsidisers, which not only restrict agricultural imports into the US but also enable American products to enter export markets at artificially low prices. 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Jaishankar's visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in China comes against the backdrop of a few notable geopolitical developments, including the US and NATO upping their ante against countries doing business with Russia. With reference to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, the EAM called for the SCO to take an 'uncompromising position' on the challenge of terrorism. He also underlined that the SCO was founded to combat the three evils – 'terrorism, separatism and extremism'. It must be recalled here that the SCO Defence Ministers' meeting last month failed to issue a joint statement after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declined to sign the draft statement which omitted a reference to the Pahalgam attack. Notably, even the Foreign Ministers' meeting did not issue a separate joint statement. Meanwhile, China's state-run news agency Xinhua reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed that in the face of a 'turbulent and changing international landscape', the SCO must play a more 'proactive role' to ensure greater stability. That apart, Jaishankar's visit to China, where he met with President Xi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Liu Jianchao (head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party) is largely seen in the context of the recent thaw in India-China ties. The resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and an understanding to resume direct flights and ease visa restrictions are among the noted developments, hinting at the rebuilding of cross-border ties. 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It continues to scale up its defence budget and capabilities; — China's growing military cooperation with Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, its expanding footprints across South Asia, and drawing strategically important countries for India, like Bangladesh, into its fold. — While India runs a trade deficit of over $100 billion with China, Beijing has placed restrictions on the export of rare earth magnets for EVs to India, wind turbines and electronics, besides tunnel boring machines and certain high-value fertilisers. — China's export restrictions on key fertilisers like di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea in part contributed to their shortages at the time of favourable monsoon when Kharif crop sowing gathers pace. While some of these concerns were conveyed by Jaishankar to Wang Yi during the SCO meet, India's widening engagement across the neighbourhood and beyond is seen as the need of the hour to prevent Beijing from gaining a decisive upper hand in the region. 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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Nvidia's Jensen Huang has done something that no other CEO or leader has done before - ease US-China tensions
Nvidia's $4 Trillion Power Move: How Jensen Huang Outplayed Both Trump and Beijing in the AI Chip Battle- In a bold and unexpected shift that's turning heads across global tech and political circles, Nvidia—now the world's first $4 trillion chip company—has just pulled off a strategic power play that no one saw coming. Just days after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, he flew to Beijing and stunned markets by announcing the resumption of H20 chip sales to China, effectively reversing what had been one of the toughest U.S. export bans to date. At a time when U.S.-China tech tensions remain at an all-time high, Huang seems to have found a rare middle path—quiet diplomacy backed by smart business and cultural finesse. And now, with access to China's massive AI market back in play, Nvidia may be headed for another wave of growth, even as the geopolitical climate stays tense. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Healthcare MBA Design Thinking Data Science Product Management Finance Data Science Management others Digital Marketing Data Analytics Degree healthcare Others Leadership Operations Management MCA Public Policy Artificial Intelligence PGDM CXO Technology Cybersecurity Project Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis in Healthcare Financial Management & Investing Strategic Management in Healthcare Process Design & Analysis Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Certificate Program in Healthcare Management Starts on Jun 13, 2024 Get Details How did Jensen Huang reverse the U.S. chip ban on China? Huang's move came just days after his meeting with President Trump, but he made it clear during a press conference in Beijing: 'I don't think I changed his mind.' Still, the facts speak for themselves. Nvidia's H20 AI chips, previously restricted under a U.S. export ban, are now cleared for sale in China—one of the company's most critical markets for growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo The decision to resume chip exports comes amid rising concerns in Washington that banning U.S. technology could accelerate China's domestic chip-building efforts. Huang has long warned about this behind closed doors, reportedly making the case that such bans could backfire economically for the U.S. Why did Huang go to Beijing right after meeting Trump? This wasn't just a business trip. Huang timed his Beijing visit to coincide with a major supply-chain expo and also met with top-level Chinese trade officials. In a sign of cultural awareness and bridge-building, Huang even delivered part of his speech in Mandarin—a move widely praised in Chinese media. Live Events While tech CEOs like Tim Cook (Apple) and Elon Musk (Tesla) have had hot-and-cold relationships with Trump, Huang appears to be playing a longer, quieter game. He's avoided political drama publicly, and yet, has managed to open doors in both Washington and Beijing without alienating either side. What does this mean for Nvidia's growth in the AI race? The return of the H20 chips to the Chinese market could be a game-changer. China accounts for over 20% of global AI chip demand, and with the ban lifted, Nvidia is back in the race to dominate AI infrastructure. Nvidia is already seen as the 'arms dealer' of the AI gold rush, supplying chips to nearly every major AI initiative across the world. With China now back in play, the company is better positioned to extend its lead over competitors like AMD and Intel, especially in large-scale AI training and data center deployments. Is Jensen Huang now the unofficial bridge between Washington and Beijing? He's not claiming that title, but he may be the only tech CEO who can still walk freely—and with influence—on both sides of the Pacific. His approach is simple but effective: stay quiet on politics, show cultural respect, and focus on the tech. It's a rare stance that's now paying off. While most U.S. tech leaders are walking on eggshells around Taiwan, semiconductors, and national security, Huang has kept a low profile, avoided public political commentary, and still managed to achieve one of the biggest corporate diplomatic wins in recent memory. What's next for Nvidia after crossing the $4 trillion mark? With its market cap now surpassing $4 trillion, Nvidia has already made history. But this move signals that Jensen Huang isn't done yet. By keeping Nvidia at the center of both the U.S. and Chinese AI ecosystems, he's ensuring the company remains indispensable—no matter how the political winds shift. Investors should watch closely. The return of H20 chip sales could unlock billions in revenue. More importantly, it could set a blueprint for how tech firms navigate fractured global markets without choosing sides. As AI demand continues to surge globally, Huang's balanced and quietly strategic approach may be the model for the next generation of global tech leadership. FAQs: Q1. Why did Nvidia restart H20 chip sales to China? A1. Nvidia resumed H20 chip sales after strategic talks and quiet diplomacy led by CEO Jensen Huang. Q2. How did Jensen Huang manage U.S.-China chip tensions? A2. Huang stayed neutral, met with both sides, and focused on tech, not politics.

Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Weekly Tech Recap: Perplexity Pro goes free for Airtel users, ChatGPT agent launched and more
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