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The post-election rally masks a sharp split in the AI trade. Who stands to win?

Wall Street rallied Wednesday after Democrats won major midterm victories, but the broad gain masked a split in the AI trade as investors weighed whether the results would slow the data center buildout. Democrats who back data center restrictions captured governorships in Texas and Ohio, both major investment destinations, and according to Bernstein analysts, Texas alone accounts for about 25% of data center construction. Cloud 'incumbents' Amazon rose 7%, Microsoft more than 6% and Alphabet almost 4%, while smaller neoclouds fell, with CoreWeave down almost 10%, Iren down 11% and Nebius down about 6.5%. AI infrastructure suppliers such as Eaton (down 9%) and GE Vernova (down 10%) also fell, while Apple, squeezed by rising DRAM costs, jumped 6%. The article argues the election outcome may not be fully priced in, and that markets could be overreacting in both directions.

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