Global equities diverge in October 19–23 as AI investment costs and oil prices shape sentiment
📊 The S&P 500 fell 0.5% and the Nasdaq lost 0.7% for the week, while the Dow gained 0.4% and the Russell 2000 rose 2%. The divergence highlighted resilience beyond the largest technology companies.
🤖 Returns on AI investment came into focus after Meta reported negative free cash flow of $2.12 billion and raised the lower end of its 2026 capital spending forecast to $135 billion. The figures underscored the pressure to balance infrastructure expansion with cash generation.
🛢️ Brent ended the week at $116.72 a barrel amid escalating Middle East tensions. Higher oil prices supported energy shares while increasing concerns about input costs and inflation, keeping the interest rate outlook under scrutiny.
🌏 Europe faced additional pressure from French fiscal risks, with the STOXX 600 falling around 1.4% for the week. In Asia, pressure on technology shares showed that concerns over AI investment costs had spread beyond the US market.
🔎 Next week’s Fed meeting and earnings from Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon will provide important tests. AI spending plans, revenue growth and cash generation could shape the technology sector’s recovery, while oil prices continue to influence risk appetite.
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