U.S. Stock Fund Investors Gain 14.8% in Best Quarter Since 2020 as A.I. Lifts Markets
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10
U.S. Stock Fund Investors Gain 14.8% in Best Quarter Since 2020 as A.I. Lifts Markets
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 10
Summary
Morningstar data showed the average investor in U.S. domestic stock funds gained 14.8% in the three months ended June 30, the strongest quarterly return since 2020.
A.I.-driven spending on data centers and power infrastructure fueled the rally, lifting not just chipmakers but also indirect beneficiaries such as Caterpillar through its turbine business.
That broad A.I. trade has spread well beyond the United States, with investors pouring money into companies seen as backdoor ways to profit from the technology boom.
The same concentration now poses a portfolio risk: if A.I. expectations fall short, diversified fund investors could see those outsized gains reverse quickly.
AI is fueling record market gains, but could this be the biggest investment bubble in history?
With 78% of companies using AI, why do most struggle to turn investments into measurable profits?
AI-Fueled Market Record: Semiconductor Index Soars 87.75% in Q2 2026 Amid Bubble Fears and Wealth Divide
Overview
In Q2 2026, the market experienced unprecedented growth, driven by the relentless expansion of artificial intelligence and its foundational semiconductor sector. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged a record 87.75%, highlighting a major shift in investment focus. Capital moved away from established Big Tech giants toward companies building essential AI infrastructure, fueling record-breaking performances. This surge underscores how AI’s rapid development is reshaping market dynamics, with semiconductor companies at the center of this transformation and investors seeking new opportunities beyond traditional tech leaders.