Bank of America has told clients that the next wave of artificial intelligence winners is likely to emerge beyond the heavily traded semiconductor giants and mega-cap technology names that have dominated the market for the past two years. In a research note published this week, the bank's strategists argued that the AI trade is entering a new phase where adoption spreads across the broader economy, benefiting companies that provide the infrastructure, software, and services to deploy AI at scale.
The note points to UK-listed industrial automation firms, data centre operators, and enterprise software groups as potential beneficiaries. BofA's analysts caution that semiconductor stocks such as Nvidia and AMD, along with the 'Magnificent Seven' US tech stocks, now carry elevated valuations and crowded positioning, making them vulnerable to profit-taking. Instead, they recommend looking at companies with strong balance sheets and recurring revenue streams linked to AI implementation.
For UK investors, the analysis suggests that the London market — often perceived as lacking pure-play AI exposure — may offer overlooked opportunities. Shares in companies such as Sage Group, which provides AI-driven accounting software, and Spirax-Sarco Engineering, which uses machine learning in industrial process control, have seen increased attention from institutional buyers. BofA did not name specific stocks in the public note but emphasised that the 'second derivative' beneficiaries of AI are still underappreciated.
The FTSE 100 edged up 0.3% on Friday to 8,214 points, while the FTSE 250 added 0.5% to 20,112, with technology and industrial stocks among the gainers. The broader market has been supported by falling UK inflation and expectations that the Bank of England may hold rates steady at its next meeting. However, the AI theme remains a key driver of sector rotation, with defensive and value stocks lagging behind growth-oriented plays.
Analyst commentary from elsewhere in the City has echoed BofA's view. Some fund managers now argue that the 'AI infrastructure buildout' — including power grids, cooling systems, and networking equipment — represents a more durable investment opportunity than chasing the latest chipmaker. For UK pension holders, this could mean greater diversification in growth portfolios, though the shift also introduces risks tied to execution and adoption timelines.