Oracle credit-default swaps -- cost of protecting Oracle's debt against default rose to the highest in more than three years
Oracle's AI spending spree is raising questions over how exactly the company is going to fund its deals, especially since it has a weaker credit rating than Microsoft or Alphabet -- it's quickly emerging as the credit market’s barometer for AI risk
Stock slumped 11% last week, six-week stretch of declines -- losses also caused a $130 billion hit to Larry Ellison's net worth after the rally in September briefly made him the world's riches person
Alphabet (GOOGL)
Leads the rally on Monday given continued optimism over the latest version of its Gemini AI model
Last week: The Information reported that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently told colleagues that Alphabet’s progress in AI could “create some temporary economic headwinds for our company”
Bloomberg Intelligence: excess returns year-to-date are the weakest among investment grade tech peers excluding Oracle; consequence of its considerable defensive credit characteristics and tight spreads vs. fundamentals
Centene (CNC)
Climbing with other health insurers after Politico reported the White House is expected to propose a two-year extension of Obamacare subsidies with new limits on eligibility
MS NOW also reported that President Donald Trump is expected to announce a general framework to address health care costs and spikes in ACA insurance premiums
Centene offers health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace