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US Equity Fund Inflows Slow as Tech Selloff Pressures Demand

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U.S. equity fund inflows eased in the week through February 4 as investors turned cautious amid a selloff in software stocks, according to LSEG Lipper data. Net purchases totaled $5.58 billion, down nearly 48% from the previous week’s $10.82 billion, even as strong earnings from Eli Lilly and Super Micro Computer helped offset some of the pressure.

Technology shares weakened after Anthropic introduced a legal plug-in for its generative AI chatbot, heightening concerns about disruption across the software sector. As a result, investors pulled $2.34 billion from technology funds. By contrast, industrials attracted $2.11 billion, while metals and mining funds drew $1.44 billion, reflecting a rotation toward more cyclical and defensive exposures.

Fund flows also diverged by market size. U.S. large-cap funds recorded $1.1 billion in inflows, while mid-cap and small-cap funds saw outflows of $1.59 billion and $1.67 billion, respectively. The pattern underscores investor caution toward riskier segments during periods of sector-specific volatility.

Bond funds continued to benefit from risk aversion, logging a fifth straight week of inflows totaling $11.11 billion. Short- to intermediate-term investment-grade funds led with $6.34 billion—the largest weekly intake since at least 2022—while municipal and inflation-protected funds also saw solid demand. Money market funds attracted a hefty $83.09 billion, their biggest weekly inflow since early December, highlighting a broader preference for liquidity amid market uncertainty.

Investors Look Beyond Big Tech in 2026 as AI Rally Shows Signs of Maturity

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Global investors are expected to turn to undervalued areas of the market in 2026 as concerns grow that the artificial intelligence rally has become crowded and expensive, according to analysts. While U.S. equities recovered to record highs in late 2025 after volatility tied to tariffs from Donald Trump, strategists say gains going forward will require greater selectivity.

Strategists at BlackRock say the environment favors active investing, with opportunities emerging outside highly valued technology stocks. U.S. small-cap shares are seen as potential beneficiaries as earnings growth improves and borrowing costs ease, helped by expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in 2026.

Gold is also attracting attention after its strongest year since the late 1970s. Analysts at major banks forecast further upside, supported by central bank buying and diversification away from the U.S. dollar, though gains may come at a slower pace than in 2025.

Sector-wise, healthcare and financials are viewed as attractive. Analysts point to policy support, growth in weight-loss drugs, rising merger activity and deregulation as potential tailwinds, particularly for mid-sized banks with relatively low valuations.

A weaker dollar could also lift emerging market assets and currencies, while corporate and high-yield bond markets are expected to remain active as companies seek financing for acquisitions and AI-related data center investments.

Overall, analysts say 2026 is likely to reward investors willing to look past headline AI names and focus on value, diversification and fundamentals as the market cycle evolves.

Oracle Seeks to Raise $18 Billion in Debt to Fund AI Cloud Push

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Oracle is planning to raise $18 billion in debt, according to a regulatory filing on Wednesday, as it accelerates investment in cloud infrastructure to meet soaring demand from artificial intelligence clients.

The enterprise software and cloud services giant has been expanding its capital spending to deliver on major contracts, including agreements with OpenAI, which are expected to drive significant growth in its cloud business.

According to a pricing term sheet filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Oracle will sell the debt in six tranches.

In a separate filing, the company said proceeds could be used for general corporate purposes, including stock buybacks, debt repayment, or acquisitions, in addition to infrastructure investment.

The debt sale highlights how rising AI adoption is reshaping the priorities of major tech firms, with Oracle joining a growing list of companies tapping capital markets to finance the costly buildout of hyperscale data centers.