This strategist says it’s a matter of when, not if, the AI bubble pops. Here’s how to prepare for that.
Published . Updated .
TS Lombard says the AI investment theme is a bubble destined to pop. What investors shouldn’t try to do is time when that will happen.
Directly affected
- No company is named in this report.
Indirectly affected
- QQQ Invesco QQQ-0.7% 16d
Invesco QQQ: it holds the big tech and AI names. Linked by “ai” (AI and big tech) in this story.
- AIQ Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF-2.2% 30d
Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF: it holds the big tech and AI names. Linked by “ai” (AI and big tech) in this story.
- MSFT Microsoft+3.7% 30d
Microsoft (prepackaged software): big tech's AI spending and demand drive its shares. Linked by “ai” (AI and big tech) in this story.
- GOOGL Alphabet-8.4% 30d
Alphabet (computer programming, data processing, etc.): big tech's AI spending and demand drive its shares. Linked by “ai” (AI and big tech) in this story.
- AMZN Amazon.com-2.2% 30d
Amazon.com (catalog and mail-order houses): big tech's AI spending and demand drive its shares. Linked by “ai” (AI and big tech) in this story.
- META Meta Platforms-3.5% 30d
Meta Platforms (computer programming, data processing, etc.): big tech's AI spending and demand drive its shares. Linked by “ai” (AI and big tech) in this story.
Price reaction, T-5 to T+3
| Ticker | T-5 | T-3 | T-1 | T0 | T+1 | T+2 | T+3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QQQ | +2.00% | +2.99% | base | +1.19% | after close | after close | after close |
| AIQNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| MSFTNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| GOOGLNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AMZNNo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| METANo price data for this ticker | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Closing-price change versus T-1, the last close before the story. T0 to T+3 fill in after each market close. Prices: Alpaca IEX.
Market Call
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TS Lombard says the AI investment theme is a bubble destined to pop. What investors shouldn’t try to do is time when that will happen.
Source: MarketWatch
This story
| Company | When | Move | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| QQQ | that day | +1.19% | still updating |
| QQQ | three days earlier | +2.99% | final price |
| QQQ | five days earlier | +2.00% | final price |
Trades by members of Congress and officials in the stocks in this story
- Rep. Lisa McClain bought Microsoft (MSFT) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 30 Sep 2026. That is 26 days before publication. Filed 12 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael Rulli sold Microsoft (MSFT), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 28 Sep 2026. That is 28 days before publication. Filed 2 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sold Microsoft (MSFT), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Sep 2026. That is 32 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Pete Sessions sold Alphabet (GOOGL), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 14 Sep 2026. That is 42 days before publication. Filed 18 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna sold Alphabet (GOOGL) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 4 Sep 2026. That is 52 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Thomas H. Kean Jr sold Alphabet (GOOGL), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 27 Aug 2026. That is 60 days before publication. Filed 12 Sep 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Amazon Com (AMZN) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 28 Aug 2026. That is 59 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Michael T. McCaul sold Amazon Com (AMZN) (held by a spouse), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 27 Aug 2026. That is 60 days before publication. Filed 14 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Donald J Trump, an executive branch official, bought Amazon Com (AMZN), worth $15,001 - $50,000 on 26 Aug 2026. That is 61 days before publication. Filed 8 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar sold Meta Platforms (META), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 24 Sep 2026. That is 32 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Rohit Khanna bought Meta Platforms (META) (held by a dependent child), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 23 Sep 2026. That is 33 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
- Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar bought Meta Platforms (META), worth $1,001 - $15,000 on 22 Sep 2026. That is 34 days before publication. Filed 7 Oct 2026. View the filing.
Public disclosure filings, not a recommendation. The filing link is the source document. News use of these reports still sits under 5 U.S.C. § 13107(c).
This story
12 out of 100Price not final
“This strategist says it’s a matter of when, not if, the AI bubble pops. Here’s how to prepare for that.” scores 12 out of 100. The score uses 1 sources. The price is not final yet.