Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 20
Oracle Slides 60% From High as $55.7 Billion AI Spend and Debt Stir OpenAI Fears
Updated
Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 20

Oracle Slides 60% From High as $55.7 Billion AI Spend and Debt Stir OpenAI Fears

3 articles · Updated · The Motley Fool · Jul 20

Summary

  • Oracle shares have fallen more than 60% from their peak and roughly halved over the past 12 months as investors question whether its AI buildout will generate adequate returns.
  • The concern centers on spending and leverage: fiscal-year capital expenditures jumped to $55.7 billion from $21.2 billion, while long-term liabilities rose to $176.9 billion from $114.7 billion.
  • OpenAI exposure has added to the pressure after Oracle signed a $300 billion cloud deal last year, with investors wary of the customer's profitability challenges and intensifying competition.
  • Oracle still posted strong recent earnings growth, and the stock now trades below 16 times forward earnings versus about 22 for the S&P 500, leaving a potential contrarian case if AI investments pay off.

Insights

With a record backlog but negative cash flow, can Oracle's AI gamble pay off before its massive debt comes due?
Why are analysts calling Oracle a 'Strong Buy' while top investors and company insiders are selling their shares?