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12.01.2026
Why Some Big Investors Are Hedging U.S. Tech Exposure
Why Some Big Investors Are Hedging U.S. Tech Exposure
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U.S. technology stocks continue to post impressive gains, yet some of the world’s largest asset managers are quietly pulling on the brakes. Hedging activity, selective exits, and sharper valuation discipline suggest rising discomfort beneath the surface. The debate is no longer about innovation, but about timing, valuation, and risk. Recent comments from major asset managers highlight how fragile consensus may be.

Leading asset managers have noticeably shifted their positioning amid growing concern that the U.S. technology sector - especially stocks tied to artificial intelligence - may be pricing in too much optimism relative to underlying earnings and profitability.

According to the Financial Times, Europe’s largest fund manager Amundi has taken concrete steps to hedge against what it views as elevated risk, using derivatives to protect portfolios across multiple mandates rather than outright selling equities. Vincent Mortier, Amundi’s Chief Investment Officer, explicitly described the rapid expansion in AI-linked stocks as showing “excesses” that are hard to quantify precisely ahead of a potential market adjustment.

The Blue Whale Growth Fund, a smaller but closely watched UK-based investor, has executed a more dramatic repositioning, exiting major holdings in Microsoft and Meta during 2025 after redefining risk-reward metrics for those names. Blue Whale’s Chief Investment Officer Stephen Yiu has acknowledged that while the firm does not believe an outright bubble is present, “valuation levels for certain mega-cap tech names have become “insane” relative to expected returns”.

By contrast, T. Rowe Price’s strategists emphasize that current profits, moderate debt profiles, and structural growth drivers in AI differentiate this cycle from past bubbles, and the firm’s asset allocation committee is not advocating significant sell-downs or aggressive hedges at this stage.

BlackRock’s international equities leadership echoes this view, stating they do not believe the market is in a bubble, yet openly caution investors to brace for “a bumpy ride” in 2026 given heightened volatility and concentrated sector weights.

The recent investor surveys show a significant portion of professional allocators now view AI-linked equities as a top tail risk due to reliance on future profitability that may not yet be realized. Taken together, these developments suggest that retail investors may consider reducing bets on the largest AI beneficiaries, both in stocks and bonds.

Author
Vladimir Tarantaev, CFA, PMP
Vladimir Tarantaev, a CFA expert in fixed income, has a strong track record in credit analysis at CIS banks and a diverse background in math-physics and astronomy.
Vladimir Tarantaev
This article does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bondfish does not recommend using the data and information provided as the only basis for making any investment decision. You should not make any investment decisions without first conducting your own research and considering your own financial situation.

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Author
Vladimir Tarantaev, CFA, PMP
Vladimir Tarantaev, a CFA expert in fixed income, has a strong track record in credit analysis at CIS banks and a diverse background in math-physics and astronomy.
Vladimir Tarantaev
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