Why are investors selling Neocloud stocks despite AI demand?

Shares of AI-focused cloud infrastructure companies fell as Elon Musk warned of widespread failures and consolidation in the neocloud industry. Investor concerns over heavy borrowing, rising financing costs and uncertain profitability have intensified scrutiny of the AI infrastructure boom. (Sources: Reuters; GuruFocus)

Neocloud stocks came under pressure in premarket trading on October 26, 2026, with CoreWeave falling as much as 4.5% and Nebius Group dropping 3.4%. IREN declined 3.3%, while Applied Digital and TeraWulf lost more than 2% each. Core Scientific also slipped 1.7%, reflecting mounting investor concerns about the sector’s financial risks.

Musk warned that more than 200 neocloud companies could face failures or consolidation as financing becomes harder to secure. He also said SpaceX would not acquire neocloud providers, underscoring the risks facing standalone AI computing businesses as competition intensifies and capital requirements rise.

Neocloud companies have expanded rapidly to meet demand for AI computing power, investing heavily in graphics processing units and data centres. Many rely on debt to finance this expansion, leaving them vulnerable to higher borrowing costs, tighter credit conditions and delays in generating sufficient revenue to support their investments.

Research firm Gartner has warned that 80% of neocloud companies could cease operating independently by 2032. CoreWeave was identified among the businesses particularly exposed to rising leverage, highlighting concerns about whether smaller and highly indebted providers can sustain their operations as the AI infrastructure market matures.

Profitability remains a concern across the sector, with CoreWeave, Nebius, Applied Digital and TeraWulf reporting quarterly losses over the past year. IREN has also remained unprofitable for three consecutive quarters. Meanwhile, bonds issued by CoreWeave and Nebius have hit record lows, signalling growing investor concern over debt exposure and the ability of these companies to finance further expansion.

The sell-off highlights a growing divide between demand for AI computing and the ability of infrastructure providers to earn attractive returns. Investors are increasingly assessing debt levels, access to financing, revenue diversification and capital expenditure discipline alongside the industry’s growth potential. Companies that fail to convert heavy investments into sustainable cash flows could face mounting pressure.

(Disclaimer: This slideshow is based on inputs from agencies. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)