Sep 25, 2026 · 7 min
Akamai surges as Anthropic signs major AI contract
Akamai Rallies on Anthropic Deal, Twilio Slips, McDonald's Drops
The episode shows how AI infrastructure demand is reshaping individual stocks while valuation concerns and weak consumer sales pressure others.
- 1Anthropic’s roughly $11.6 billion, seven-year computing agreement sends Akamai sharply higher.
- 2HSBC downgrades Twilio over valuation and limited evidence that AI is driving higher-margin revenue.
- 3McDonald’s warns of slightly negative US sales, adding to weakness across restaurant stocks.
Don't miss
Akamai’s sharp rise after Anthropic agrees to an approximately $11.6 billion, seven-year computing contract.
The brief
Technology leads the S&P 500, but Akamai commands attention after Anthropic agrees to an approximately $11.6 billion, seven-year computing contract with the cybersecurity and cloud company.
The Akamai move reflects investor enthusiasm for AI infrastructure demand, while the episode also notes Datadog as part of the technology-stock discussion.
Twilio falls after HSBC downgrades the communications-technology company, citing valuation concerns and limited evidence that AI is producing higher-margin revenue.
Restaurant stocks weaken as Domino’s declines and McDonald’s warns of slightly negative US sales in the third quarter; its shares are on pace for their worst year since 2002.
The episode’s central contrast is clear: AI-related infrastructure attracts capital, while uncertain monetization and softer consumer demand weigh on established businesses.
What was said on this episode
6 statements · 2 positive · 3 negative · 1 neutral
Anthropic’s Akamai deal is lifting other technology stocks.
“obviously lifting other stocks”
Listen at 1:30
Twilio trades at 42 times forward earnings.
“right now it's trading 42 times forward earnings”
Listen at 3:04
Meta shares are up more than 30% over the month.
“on a monthly basis, it's up more than 30%”
Listen at 3:23
McDonald’s shares are on pace for their worst year since 2002.
“It's on pace for its worst year since 2002.”
Listen at 4:23
McDonald’s shares are down 22.5% year to date.
“down 22.5%”
Listen at 4:32
McDonald’s shares are on track for a seventh consecutive weekly loss.
“it's also on track for its seventh consecutive week of losses”
Listen at 4:43
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
Featuring
Anthropic
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