UBS On-Air: House View

The composition of Congress may shape the policy debate, but investors should stay anchored to the fundamental forces driving markets.

The US stock market fell sharply on Friday as investors scrutinized potential returns on the AI investment cycle. While the 3Q earnings season is demonstrating that underlying AI demand remains robust, investors are demanding clearer evidence that rising AI investment will generate adequate returns. We believe investors should retain AI exposure but reduce excessive single-stock concentration, manage tech overexposure, and diversify more broadly.

Concerns about AI capital spending and renewed geopolitical risks have weighed on equities. But resilient economic growth, robust demand for AI infrastructure, and strong earnings continue to support the equity outlook. Investors should stay invested and maintain a well-diversified portfolio.

Accelerating cloud revenue and continued investment indicate that AI demand remains robust. We believe AI remains a key market growth engine, though investors should favor quality and manage concentrated positions.

The Fed is likely to tighten policy further in the coming months despite an expected hold today. But we think market pricing remains too hawkish. Investors should maintain diversified equity exposure while adding selectively to quality bonds and gold.

The latest tech-led advance reflects continued confidence in AI demand, but high expectations and company-specific risks strengthen the case for looking beyond a narrow group of market leaders. We favor diversified equity exposure that includes Power and resources, Longevity, and opportunities outside the US.

This week we take a look at whether the Fed will remain patient as energy costs sustain inflation risks. If earnings can support further equity gains beyond the AI trade, and whether European earnings resilience outweigh fiscal and policy risks.

Continued attacks in the Middle East have pushed Brent crude above USD 111/bbl, adding to concerns over energy supplies and inflation. But the global energy system’s capacity to adapt, together with portfolio exposure to broad commodities, should help investors manage volatility while staying invested.

Questions around AI profitability, elevated rates, and geopolitical tensions may keep markets volatile through the earnings season. Yet we remain constructive on equities and expect AI-related growth to support corporate earnings. Investors can complement diversified equity exposure with structured strategies, select hedge funds, and commodities.

US mega-cap technology companies' earnings should provide fresh evidence of the strength of cloud growth, digital advertising, and AI adoption. Investors will also look for clearer signs of monetization and returns on investment. We remain constructive on the AI opportunity and favor diversified exposure across hyperscalers, high-quality infrastructure beneficiaries, and defensive tech firms.

Funding pressures are testing the growth model of specialized cloud infrastructure providers, but demand for AI compute remains robust. Resilient semiconductor earnings and rising GPU rental rates support our positive view on the structural growth of AI. We favor well-funded hyperscalers, high-quality beneficiaries of AI spending, and defensive tech names.

While bond market volatility may persist, elevated yields and the potential for less Fed tightening than markets expect strengthen the outlook for fixed income. We continue to rate fixed income as Attractive and see quality bonds as a source of income and portfolio stability.

US inflation accelerated more than expected in September, increasing expectations for further Federal Reserve rate hikes. But we do not expect a measured tightening cycle to undermine the positive outlook for US assets. We remain positive on equities and fixed income.

A sharp sell-off in semiconductor stocks has reignited questions about the durability of the AI trade. But with earnings expectations still strong, cloud growth accelerating, and valuations becoming more attractive, we take this as more of a reset of expectations than a break in the AI thesis.

Higher energy prices and geopolitical risks may fuel near-term volatility, but AI demand, a healthy cyclical economy, and resilient consumer spending should support another strong quarter for S&P 500 profits.

Geopolitical and macro uncertainties are driving near-term commodity volatility, but tight supply and durable demand remain supportive of the outlook. We see broad commodity exposure as a source of returns, diversification, and portfolio resilience.

Recent adoption, semiconductor revenue, and cloud-growth data continue to point to healthy AI demand. While volatility may persist as the trade matures, investors should maintain diversified exposure while becoming more selective.

US stocks eased from record highs as elevated Treasury yields, rising oil prices, and renewed geopolitical risks weighed on sentiment. But waiting for these concerns to fade could mean missing further market gains. We believe investors should remain positioned for long-term growth through a well-diversified portfolio.

The S&P 500 reached a record high despite ongoing market risks. We think AI investment, broadening earnings growth, and a resilient US economy should support further gains. Investors should maintain diversified equity exposure across sectors and regions.

The Nasdaq reached a record high despite elevated Treasury yields, but the rally remains concentrated in a narrow group of large technology companies. Investors should maintain diversified core equity exposure as they position for further upside.