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Aker CEO dismisses Microsoft Nscale contract loss as minor

The CEO of Aker ASA, Øyvind Eriksen, the largest investor in UK AI infrastructure startup Nscale, downplayed Microsoft's withdrawal from a data centre deal as a "minor contract". Speaking during Aker's Q3 results presentation, Eriksen reassured investors ahead of Nscale's planned US IPO targeting a $35bn valuation. He noted that since Nscale's Series C funding round, the company's activity and contract portfolio more than doubled, and the termination was expected. Microsoft cancelled the deal to lease compute capacity from Nscale's Essex data centre due to anticipated power supply issues. Nscale is reportedly close to a new multibillion-dollar deal with Anthropic, which would increase its commitment in West Virginia. Aker owns approximately 23% of Nscale, valued at $3.31bn based on the Series C valuation.

• Aker ASA CEO Øyvind Eriksen called Microsoft's cancellation of a data centre deal with Nscale a 'minor contract'.
• Aker owns approximately 23% of Nscale, valued at $3.31bn based on Nscale's Series C valuation.
• Microsoft cancelled the lease agreement due to expected power supply issues at Nscale's Essex data centre.

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CoreWeave Bond Yield Tops 16% as AI Debt Markets Tighten

Debt markets are signaling higher financing costs for AI data center builders. CoreWeave's 2032 bond yield has climbed above 16%, and its five-year credit default swaps spiked to over 1,289 basis points, before easing to around 1,155. Rising CDS spreads also affect Nvidia, Broadcom, Amazon, and Oracle. Concerns about new data center hurdles under Democratic governors and a Democratic Congress could delay or scrap some spending. Goldman Sachs estimates that 45% of planned US data center capacity could be impacted by moratoriums, particularly in Texas. Despite the stress, AI debt issuance continues: $67 billion in five deals since October 29, with forecasts of $440 billion in hyperscaler debt issuance next year. Goldman notes hyperscalers reported negative free cash flow in Q3. BofA projects AI credit issuance to rise to $685 billion in 2027, then fall to $531 billion in 2028. The market watches whether AI spending generates sufficient cash flow to justify further debt.

• CoreWeave's 2032 bond yield (9.625% coupon) exceeded 16%.
• CoreWeave's five-year CDS spiked above 1,289 bps on Thursday, easing to ~1,155 on Friday.
• Nvidia's CDS rose 76%, Broadcom's 49%, Amazon's 44% in the last month.

AI Rebound: Chip Stocks Recover $800 Billion

After the worst selloff since 2020, AI-driven chip stocks rebounded strongly on Friday, November 6, 2026. The ten largest US-listed chipmakers regained approximately $803 billion (around 720 billion euros) in market value, recovering over half of Thursday's losses. The Nasdaq 100 gained 1.4% to 26,990 points, while the S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 7,377; the Dow fell 0.5%. The rebound was fueled by bargain hunting, a stronger-than-expected US jobs report, Texas Governor Gina Hinojosa's reassurance on data center permits, and robust demand signals from AMD's CEO. AMD and Lam Research led with gains of 13.2% and 11.9%, respectively; Nvidia recovered about 70% of its loss. Analysts caution the recovery is fragile, as strong jobs data may prompt a Fed rate hike in December. Additionally, Cloudflare raised full-year guidance, and Moderna reported its first quarterly profit since 2024.

• The ten largest US-listed chipmakers regained approximately $803 billion (about 720 billion euros) in market value on Friday, recovering over half of Thursday's losses.
• AMD and Lam Research led the rebound with gains of 13.2% and 11.9%, respectively; Nvidia rose 2.8%, recovering about 70% of its loss.
• The US added 165,000 jobs in October, more than double expectations, with unemployment falling to 4.1%, raising chances of a December Fed rate hike.

AI stocks sell off after midterm shock

The Democrats' victory in the U.S. midterm elections triggered a sharp sell-off in AI and semiconductor stocks on Thursday, as investors reassessed the data center buildout amid political and regulatory risks. Nvidia lost 9.3%, AMD 17.3%, Micron 17.5%, and Broadcom 10.4%. Neocloud companies were also hit hard, with Nebius dropping 15%, Iren 17%, and CoreWeave 10%. Analysts cite concerns over high interest rates, heavy capital spending, and potential moratoriums on data center construction as key factors. Goldman Sachs estimates AI-related capex could reach $7.6 trillion through 2031, but the pace may slow due to political hurdles. By Friday morning, tech stocks showed signs of recovery, but the episode highlights the fragility of the AI trade.

• Democrats won control of both houses of Congress in the 2026 midterms.
• Nvidia fell 9.3%, AMD 17.3%, Micron 17.5%, Broadcom 10.4% on Thursday.
• Neoclouds Nebius (-15%), Iren (-17%), CoreWeave (-10%) were hit hard.