Sep 25, 2026 · 7 min
Akamai turns AI demand into a market-moving deal
Akamai Rallies on Anthropic Deal, Twilio Slips, McDonald's Drops
The episode shows how AI infrastructure enthusiasm is reshaping technology valuations while exposing weakness in communications and restaurant stocks.
- 1Akamai surged after Anthropic committed $12 billion over seven years for AI computing capacity.
- 2Twilio fell after HSBC raised valuation concerns, while Meta benefited from optimism surrounding its AI initiatives.
- 3Restaurant stocks weakened as McDonald’s warned of slightly negative US sales and faced its weakest annual performance in decades.
Don't miss
Akamai’s $12 billion Anthropic agreement becomes the episode’s clearest example of AI demand moving an established technology stock.
The brief
Akamai rallied after Anthropic announced a $12 billion, seven-year agreement for AI computing capacity, putting the company’s broader cloud strategy in focus.
The discussion frames Akamai’s move from content delivery into cybersecurity and cloud computing as part of the infrastructure shift behind AI enthusiasm.
Twilio slipped after HSBC downgraded the stock over valuation concerns, while Meta remained strong as investors continued rewarding its AI initiatives.
Restaurant stocks came under pressure, with Domino’s and McDonald’s in focus as McDonald’s warned of slightly negative US sales.
McDonald’s was described as heading toward its weakest annual performance since 2002, giving the market’s AI optimism a sharper consumer-sector counterpoint.
What was said on this episode
10 statements · 4 positive · 4 negative · 2 neutral
The Anthropic-Akamai deal is lifting other technology stocks.
“So you see that for computing power there and obviously lifting other stocks.”
Listen at 1:43
Akamai has pivoted toward cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
“Now, I guess pivoting to cybersecurity and AI.”
Listen at 2:29
Twilio trades at 42 times forward earnings.
“Right now it's trading 42 times forward earnings.”
Listen at 3:19
Meta shares rose 13% weekly and more than 30% monthly.
“It's up 13% this week, but on a monthly basis it's up more than 30%.”
Listen at 3:37
Meta is on track for its best month since July 2013, linked to its Muse AI agent.
“So this would be its best month since July of 2013 for Meta, tied to the Muse AI kind of consumer-related agent here.”
Listen at 3:41
Domino’s Pizza is one of Twilio’s biggest customers.
“One of the biggest customers of Twilio, Domino's Pizza.”
Listen at 4:05
Domino’s stock is down 30% year to date.
“that stock's actually down 30% year to date.”
Listen at 4:21
McDonald’s is on pace for its worst stock year since 2002.
“it's on pace for its worst year since 2002.”
Listen at 4:38
McDonald’s stock is down 22.5% year to date.
“they're down 22.5%.”
Listen at 4:47
McDonald’s is on track for a seventh consecutive week of stock losses.
“it's also on track for its 7th consecutive week of losses.”
Listen at 4:58
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
Tom KeeneMentioned
AnthropicListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.