Investors Gain Anthropic Exposure Through Public Company as Private AI Sector Grows

Imagine wanting to get into a popular amusement park, but the tickets aren’t for sale yet. Instead, you find out you can buy a pass to a nearby arcade that owns a big piece of the park. That’s what some investors are doing with Zoom and Anthropic right now.

Why This Matters for Investors

Anthropic is a private company making waves in artificial intelligence. Many investors want a piece of the action, but can’t buy Anthropic stock directly yet. That’s where Zoom comes in. Zoom owns a chunk of Anthropic, so buying Zoom shares can give you some exposure to Anthropic’s success—kind of like that arcade pass.

Bull Case: The Upsides

  • Indirect Access: Zoom partnered with Anthropic in 2023 and owns a stake possibly worth $2–$4 billion, according to analysts.
  • AI Growth Potential: Anthropic’s new product, Claude Mythos, could shake up the software world and boost Anthropic’s value even more.
  • IPO Hopes: If Anthropic goes public soon (possibly this fall), Zoom’s stake could become even more valuable. Wolfe Research says this could add 6%–17% to Zoom’s total value.
  • Analyst Support: Out of 31 Wall Street analysts covering Zoom, 16 rate it as a “buy” or “strong buy.”

Bear Case: The Downsides

  • Zoom’s Stock Performance: Zoom shares are down about 5% since the start of the year, so it’s not all sunshine for current investors.
  • No Direct Anthropic Shares Yet: If you want to own Anthropic directly, you’ll have to wait for the IPO. For now, Zoom is just a “side door.”
  • Valuation Risks: Anthropic’s private valuation is sky-high—nearly $400 billion, according to its latest funding round. If the IPO doesn’t meet expectations, Zoom’s stake could be worth less than hoped.
  • Market Competition: AI is a hot field, but also crowded. Anthropic faces tough rivals like OpenAI and Google, which could slow growth.
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Historical Context and Extra Data

Big stakes in up-and-coming tech companies have paid off before—think of how Amazon’s early investment in Rivian gave it a boost when Rivian went public. But sometimes, these bets don’t pan out as hoped. According to Morningstar, only about 40% of IPOs in the past decade outperformed the broader market in their first year. That’s a reminder to stay cautious and not chase hype blindly.

Investor Takeaway

  • Consider Zoom as a “backdoor” play on Anthropic if you want early AI exposure before Anthropic goes public.
  • Watch for Anthropic’s IPO news—it could move both Anthropic’s and Zoom’s valuations.
  • Balance your risk: AI is exciting but volatile. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
  • Follow analyst ratings and earnings reports to gauge how Zoom is managing its AI investments.
  • Remember history: Not all hot tech IPOs beat the market, so keep your expectations realistic and your portfolio diversified.

For the full original report, see CNBC

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