Macroeconomics

Weekly Market Monitor

February 20, 2026 | 3 minute read
Stay connected with our Weekly Market Monitor, featuring a thematic chart, key market developments, and valuable investment insights across asset classes each week.

Chart of the Week: A Different Debt Dynamic

AI hyperscalers’ growing reliance on debt issuance has drawn parallels to the Dot-Com Boom, raising questions about whether signs of an AI bubble are starting to emerge. While the increase in AI-related issuance is notable, accounting for 1/3 of USD net debt issuance in 2025, it pales in comparison to the growth rate observed during the Dot-Com Boom, when TMT-related debt grew by ~200% in 5 years. We are closely watching to see whether debt growth remains reasonable, but limited leverage thus far remains a key reason why we do not believe we are in a bubble. 

Chart of the Week

Source: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. As of January 6, 2026. Chart shows the cumulative growth in high yield (HY) and investment grade (IG) debt related to the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) sector from 1996 for the Dot-Com Boom and from 2022 for the AI boom. “AI” refers to Artificial Intelligence. Illustrative Purposes Only. 'We' refers to Goldman Sachs Asset Management. 

Download the full document, which includes the chart of the week and insights on market developments. On pages 3 and 4, we further recap equity sector, size and style returns, global index returns, as well as rates and spread movements and a monthly snapshot of global equity valuations.

Weekly Market Monitor
The Market Monitor features a thematic chart and highlights key economic events and data releases driving the past week’s market moves.
weekly market monitor
Start the Conversation
Contact Goldman Sachs Asset Management for a detailed discussion of your needs.
card-poster