Software Stocks Scared by AI, How Did They Suddenly Become the Hottest Spot in the U.S. Stock Market?
Software stocks, once feared to be doomed by AI, have staged a dramatic comeback, posting their largest two-day outperformance against the S&P 500 in 25 years. Stocks like Snowflake and Datadog surged over 50% in days, fueled by strong earnings that countered earlier panic. The narrative that AI would render traditional software obsolete has flipped. Reports show AI isn't replacing software but becoming a major user of it, requiring databases, security platforms like Okta, and workflow tools. The low hedge fund positioning in software, at a multi-year low, triggered a massive short squeeze and rally. Analysts now argue the profit wave is shifting from AI hardware to software, as companies integrate AI into complex, governed business processes. The key insight is that enterprises pay for the ability to turn AI "intelligence" into reliable, compliant business outcomes—a gap that established software companies are well-positioned to fill. AI isn't killing software; it's redefining its role and creating new demand.
marsbit11h ago
