Could AI Be the Next Tailwind for Cyclical and Value Stocks?

Published 02/10/2026, 01:45 AM

What’s next for the AI trade?

The chart below is taken from the excellent paper that Kai Wu wrote back in early October 2025.

AI Beneficiaries

Back then, the whole world was busy bidding Mag-7 high-capex spenders and direct AI infrastructure beneficiaries such as Oracle (NYSE:ORCL).

Yet, the author was making the case for investing in AI beneficiaries instead.

The chart on the right shows which stock markets have the largest proportion of stocks that are considered AI early adopters and beneficiaries.

And it reveals a very important truth.

Countries such as Germany, Japan or Canada have a good proportion of companies that could be large beneficiaries from AI automating processes and reducing excessive labor burdens.

In a world where AI capex is becoming a ’’is it good or is it bad’’ debate for market participants and AI infrastructure companies (in some cases) going big with leverage to keep up with the necessary spending pace, the AI early adopters are starting to get rewarded.

Do you think this could be another impulse behind cyclical growth and value stocks outperforming Mag7 and traditional secular growth stocks?

***

This article was originally published on The Macro Compass. Come join this vibrant community of macro investors, asset allocators and hedge funds - check out which subscription tier suits you the most using this link.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2026 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.