Investors Shift to AI-Resistant Sectors Amid Market Turbulence
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 22 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Capital Flow Shift: After nearly three years of investing heavily in artificial intelligence, U.S. investors are redirecting capital towards sectors perceived as less vulnerable to technological disruption, such as oil producers and fast-food chains, indicating a preference for traditional assets.
- Emergence of AI Immunity Trade: Market participants have dubbed this trend the 'AI immunity trade' or 'HALO,' which stands for 'heavy assets, low obsolescence,' reflecting increased investor confidence in physical infrastructure and tangible goods, potentially leading to long-term growth in these sectors.
- Divergent Market Performance: Over the past month, traditionally defensive or asset-heavy sectors of the S&P 500, including industrials, materials, and consumer staples, have outperformed the broader index, while technology stocks have declined, highlighting market concerns over AI-driven disruptions.
- Investor Sentiment Test: Although technology stocks regained some momentum this week, market confidence in artificial intelligence remains under scrutiny, especially with Nvidia and other companies set to report earnings, as investors increasingly demand evidence of sustainable returns.
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Analyst Views on DE
Wall Street analysts forecast DE stock price to fall
15 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 570.700
Low
458.00
Averages
514.25
High
560.00
Current: 570.700
Low
458.00
Averages
514.25
High
560.00
About DE
Deere & Company is engaged in the delivery of agricultural, construction and forestry equipment. Its segments include production and precision agriculture (PPA), small agriculture and turf (SAT), construction and forestry (CF), and financial services (FS). PPA segment defines, develops and delivers global equipment and technology solutions for production-scale growers of large grains, small grains, cotton and sugarcane. SAT segment defines, develops and delivers global equipment and technology solutions for dairy and livestock producers, high-value and small acreage crop producers, and turf and utility customers. CF segment defines, develops and delivers a range of machines and technology solutions organized along the earthmoving, forestry and roadbuilding production systems. FS segment finances sales and leases by John Deere dealers of new and used production and precision agriculture equipment and others. Its products include John Deere Autonomous 8R Tractor and E-Power Backhoe.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Voter Reaction: Democrats are capitalizing on rising food prices by blaming Trump's war decisions, believing this will affect voter support for Republicans, especially as economic burdens increase.
- Supply Chain Challenges: The costs of food production and transportation are rising due to increased oil and fertilizer prices, with new crops planted this season likely to see higher market prices at harvest time in the fall, exacerbating consumer economic pressures.
- Rising Plastic Costs: The price of plastics needed for food packaging is increasing due to tight natural gas supplies, leading to higher transportation and storage costs for fresh produce, which may drive consumer prices up further in the coming months.
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- Tariff Impact Analysis: Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs raised the minimum import tax rate to 10%, leading to declines in U.S. manufacturing investment, construction spending, and employment in the months following the policy, with construction spending down 11.1% and manufacturing jobs decreasing by 77,000, demonstrating the tariffs' failure to effectively stimulate domestic production.
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- Promotional Campaign: The new partnership will be promoted through a 360-degree multimedia advertising program, including experiential on-ground activities at the 2026 Field of Dreams game and MLB All-Star Week, further enhancing brand-consumer interaction.
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- Investor Misconceptions: Many novice investors often overlook the significance of market capitalization, mistakenly comparing stock prices without understanding share counts, highlighting the critical role of market cap in assessing true company value.
- Market Positioning Impact: Market capitalization not only affects a company's ranking among peers but also determines which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to hold the stock, particularly as large funds tend to favor companies valued over $10 billion.
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Identifying Patterns and Assumptions: By analyzing past calls, investors can recognize successful patterns and identify incorrect assumptions that may have influenced decisions.
Improving Decision-Making: Regular evaluations of past investments enhance future decision-making processes by learning from previous outcomes.
Reinforcing Accountability: This practice ensures that investment ideas are assessed based on their market performance, not just the initial investment thesis.
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- Food Price Surge: The Iran war has led to soaring oil prices, which are expected to significantly increase food prices in the U.S., impacting voter perceptions ahead of the midterm elections, particularly as the Trump administration faces economic pressures.
- Voter Reaction: Democrats are capitalizing on rising food prices by blaming Trump's war decisions, believing this will affect voter support for Republicans, especially as economic burdens increase.
- Supply Chain Challenges: The costs of food production and transportation are rising due to increased oil and fertilizer prices, with new crops planted this season likely to see higher market prices at harvest time in the fall, exacerbating consumer economic pressures.
- Rising Plastic Costs: The price of plastics needed for food packaging is increasing due to tight natural gas supplies, leading to higher transportation and storage costs for fresh produce, which may drive consumer prices up further in the coming months.
See More
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- Stock Performance Comparison: GE and DE shares rose 44% and 21% respectively over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500's 17% and Nasdaq's 13%, indicating some resilience among manufacturing stocks under tariff policies.
- Tariff Impact Analysis: Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs raised the minimum import tax rate to 10%, leading to declines in U.S. manufacturing investment, construction spending, and employment in the months following the policy, with construction spending down 11.1% and manufacturing jobs decreasing by 77,000, demonstrating the tariffs' failure to effectively stimulate domestic production.
- Company-Level Impact: 3M expects tariffs to reduce its 2025 adjusted earnings by $0.2 to $0.4 per share, while DE's tariff costs are projected to reach $1.2 billion, with CEO John May stating that tariffs will continue to pressure margins in its large farm equipment business.
- U.S.-China Trade Plunge: Following the tariffs, U.S. imports from China fell by 30% and exports to China decreased by over 25%, with Chinese goods accounting for only 10% of total U.S. imports by the end of 2025, highlighting a significant deterioration in trade relations.
See More
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- Partnership Highlights: John Deere has entered into a multi-year sponsorship with Major League Baseball (MLB) to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, connecting two brands deeply rooted in everyday American life and enhancing brand recognition.
- Marketing Strategy: As the Official Tractor of MLB, John Deere will showcase its contributions to maintaining ballfields and community green spaces across digital and traditional media, enhancing brand image and attracting more consumers.
- Promotional Campaign: The new partnership will be promoted through a 360-degree multimedia advertising program, including experiential on-ground activities at the 2026 Field of Dreams game and MLB All-Star Week, further enhancing brand-consumer interaction.
- Community Engagement Commitment: The collaboration between John Deere and MLB not only celebrates baseball culture but also emphasizes the efforts of those working to build communities, showcasing the brand's support for American agriculture and community development.
See More
TRUMP CALLS FOR JOHN DEERE AND CATERPILLAR TO REDUCE FARMERS' TRACTOR AND EQUIPMENT EXPENSES
- Trump's Proposal: Trump is advocating for John Deere and Caterpillar to reduce costs for farmers by lowering the prices of tractors and equipment.
- Impact on Farmers: The proposal aims to alleviate financial burdens on farmers, making agricultural operations more affordable.
See More
Deere & Co. Market Cap Surpasses Honeywell
- Market Cap Comparison: Deere & Co. (DE) boasts a market capitalization of $156.12 billion, surpassing Honeywell (HON) at $143.53 billion, indicating Deere's stronger market position which may attract more large-scale investors.
- Investor Misconceptions: Many novice investors often overlook the significance of market capitalization, mistakenly comparing stock prices without understanding share counts, highlighting the critical role of market cap in assessing true company value.
- Market Positioning Impact: Market capitalization not only affects a company's ranking among peers but also determines which mutual funds and ETFs are willing to hold the stock, particularly as large funds tend to favor companies valued over $10 billion.
- Stock Performance: At Thursday's close, DE's stock rose approximately 0.6%, while HON fell about 0.3%, reflecting positive market sentiment towards Deere and its relatively strong performance.
See More
A Look Back at Previous Stock Selections: Sterling Infrastructure, Corpay, Deere
Importance of Revisiting Stock Picks: Reviewing former stock picks helps investors measure effectiveness and refine their strategies and discipline.
Identifying Patterns and Assumptions: By analyzing past calls, investors can recognize successful patterns and identify incorrect assumptions that may have influenced decisions.
Improving Decision-Making: Regular evaluations of past investments enhance future decision-making processes by learning from previous outcomes.
Reinforcing Accountability: This practice ensures that investment ideas are assessed based on their market performance, not just the initial investment thesis.
See More
