AI Spending Surge Tests Cash Flow and Debt Capacity at Google, Amazon, Meta

Big Tech is pouring more than $660 billion into AI this year, mainly for chips and data centers, but the funding gap between AI costs and cash flow is widening. JPMorgan analysts expect significant high-grade bond issuance to cover the bill; Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet face varying degrees of cash-flow pressure, with BNP Paribas warning free cash flow for Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Oracle could turn negative. The trend suggests more debt or equity raises and potentially slower stock buybacks, even as AI remains a long-term growth bet. Only Microsoft is viewed as steadier by some analysts.