Oracle Faces Investor Concerns Amid AI Sector Challenges

According to PANews, Oracle's stock has experienced a significant decline, dropping 33% since reaching a historic high on September 10. This downturn comes as the company prepares to release its quarterly earnings report. The broader artificial intelligence sector is facing scrutiny due to substantial capital expenditures and complex partnership arrangements. Jed Ellerbroek, a portfolio manager at Argent Capital Management, noted that Oracle's balance sheet is stretched, with negative free cash flow and high leverage. Investor concerns are particularly focused on Oracle's debt risk, as the company has issued billions in bonds through direct and indirect means in recent months. Last week, the cost of insuring Oracle's debt against default reached its highest level since March 2009. Analysts suggest that these uncertainties overshadow any potential positive outcomes from the upcoming earnings report.