Harvest's Paul Meeks on AI opportunities: Focusing on AI infrastructure trades for the rebound

Paul Meeks, CIO at Harvest Portfolio Management, discussed the current challenges in the AI sector following a disappointing IPO, expressing optimism for a rebound in AI infrastructure trades despite a decline in enthusiasm for AI stocks. He is strategically holding cash and focusing on select companies within the AI infrastructure space, while also considering the competitive landscape and long-term demand for enhanced computing resources.

In a recent discussion on market trends, Paul Meeks, CIO at Harvest Portfolio Management, shared insights on the current state of the AI sector, particularly following the disappointing IPO of Core. He noted that while there has been a decline in enthusiasm for AI stocks, he remains optimistic about the potential for a rebound in AI infrastructure trades. Meeks emphasized that he is currently holding a significant amount of cash and is strategically focusing on select AI infrastructure companies that he believes will recover over time.

Meeks expressed concern about the overall market environment, especially with upcoming tariffs that could impact investor sentiment. He acknowledged that while the market may not rally in the immediate future, there are still opportunities within the AI sector. He pointed out that the AI infrastructure trade, which includes hardware and semiconductors, has historically benefited from a rising tide that lifted all stocks, but is now experiencing a downturn. He is looking for signs of stabilization in these stocks before making further investments.

The conversation also touched on the competitive landscape of AI technology, particularly the emergence of deep tech and open models that could challenge established players like OpenAI and Anthropic. Meeks highlighted the potential impact of these developments on infrastructure needs and questioned whether there is an overbuilding of resources in the sector. He acknowledged the concerns but remained focused on the long-term demand for AI infrastructure.

Meeks referenced Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, who has been a vocal advocate for AI technology. He agreed with Huang’s perspective that reducing the cost of technology through innovations in deep tech could stimulate demand. Meeks believes that as the industry evolves, particularly with advancements in AI inferencing, there will be a significant need for enhanced computing infrastructure.

In conclusion, while the current market conditions present challenges, Meeks is confident that the AI sector will eventually rebound. He is taking a cautious approach, focusing on technical analysis to identify the right time to invest in select AI infrastructure companies. His outlook suggests that despite short-term turbulence, the long-term demand for AI technology and infrastructure will continue to grow.