Wednesday, February 18, 2026

A Safer Way to Play the AI Boom

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Two Ways to Invest in the Future of AI

Artificial intelligence is no longer a "someday" technology. It is already being deployed across enterprise software, advertising, logistics, cybersecurity, healthcare workflows, customer service, and manufacturing automation. The market opportunity is still expanding, and projections remain enormous.

One widely cited estimate from Grand View Research pegs the global AI market at about $136.55 billion in 2022, with a path to $1.81 trillion by 2030. Separate research from Accenture has argued that AI could boost profitability by 38% on average by 2035 and contribute $14 trillion in additional gross value added across industries and economies (under the right adoption conditions).

The takeaway is simple:


AI is likely to remain a durable, multi-year investment theme.

The challenge is implementation. Many investors default to the "obvious" AI leaders (chips, hyperscalers, and a handful of mega-caps). But single-stock bets come with concentration risk, valuation risk, and headline risk—especially in a theme where leadership can rotate fast.

A more "portfolio-friendly" way to participate is through AI-focused ETFs. ETFs can:

  • spread exposure across dozens of companies tied to AI development and adoption,

  • reduce single-stock blowups,

  • and capture multiple layers of the AI stack (hardware, software, data, infrastructure, and applications).

No AI investment is truly "safe," but diversified ETFs can be a more risk-managed approach than trying to pick winners one-by-one.

Below are two ETF ideas that offer distinct angles on the AI opportunity.


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ETF: Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (SYM: AIQ)
Broad AI + big data exposure

AIQ is designed to provide exposure to companies expected to benefit from the development and utilization of AI and big data, tracking the Indxx Artificial Intelligence & Big Data Index.

AIQ's appeal is that it isn't limited to one narrow slice of the theme. It often includes a mix of:

  • AI infrastructure beneficiaries,

  • software and platform companies,

  • and data-centric businesses that can monetize AI-enabled products and workflows.

That breadth matters because AI adoption does not move in a straight line. Some years, semis lead. Other years, the market rewards platforms, enterprise software, or "AI-enabled" business models. A broader basket can help stay invested through those rotations.

Cost and structure: AIQ's net expense ratio is commonly listed at 0.68%.

How AIQ can be used

  • As a core thematic sleeve for investors who want AI exposure without picking individual names.

  • As a complement to mega-cap tech exposure, expanding coverage beyond just the obvious leaders.

Risk considerations

  • Thematic ETFs can be volatile and may underperform in risk-off tape.

  • AIQ still has meaningful exposure to large tech and AI-adjacent equities, so it can correlate with broader growth-stock drawdowns.


Huge Alerts

BNZI: Triple-Digit Growth, Zacks Approved!

bnzi

Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) is gaining meaningful traction with investors as it secures a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), placing it firmly in the top 20% of more than 4,000 stocks tracked by Zacks. 

The upgrade is driven by one of the most powerful indicators of near-term stock performance: improving earnings estimates. Over the past three months alone, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for BNZI's full-year earnings has surged 45.2%, signaling rapidly improving analyst sentiment and a stronger earnings outlook.

Adding to its appeal, BNZI operates within the Business Services sector, which currently ranks #12 out of 16 sectors under the Zacks Sector Rank system—highlighting relative strength compared to much of the broader market.

Banzai International, Inc. (BNZI) provides a suite of AI-powered marketing and business automation tools designed to help companies generate leads, engage audiences, and drive revenue growth. Its platform includes solutions for video marketing, webinars, content creation, SEO, marketing automation, and AI-generated websites and landing pages through its Superblocks acquisition. 

BNZI serves over 140,000 customers worldwide, including enterprise clients such as Cisco, Hewlett Packard, New York Life, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, demonstrating both scalability and credibility. By combining AI-driven automation with practical marketing tools, BNZI helps businesses save time, optimize campaigns, and achieve measurable results. 

Fundamentally, the Zacks Buy rating serves as a clear vote of confidence in Banzai International's business trajectory, positioning the company as a standout opportunity among small-cap business services stocks with improving fundamentals and near-term upside potential.

Discover why BNZI is capturing Wall Street's attention and earning its place among Zacks' top-rated growth opportunities


ETF: Global X Robotics & Artificial Intelligence ETF (SYM: BOTZ)
Automation + robotics "real economy" angle

BOTZ targets a different side of the AI opportunity: robotics, automation, and AI-driven industrial and non-industrial applications. Global X describes the fund as investing in companies that may benefit from the increased adoption of robotics and AI technologies, tracking the Indxx Global Robotics & Artificial Intelligence Thematic Index.

In many ways, BOTZ is a "picks-and-shovels" portfolio for automation. It can capture:

  • industrial automation and robotics platforms,

  • autonomous systems and enabling technologies,

  • and companies positioned to benefit as labor shortages, reshoring, and productivity pressures push firms toward automation.

This is a different expression of the AI story than "just buy the biggest AI chip names." It leans into the idea that AI's biggest long-term impact may show up in efficiency and productivity gains across manufacturing, logistics, and services—consistent with the Accenture framing around profitability improvements.

Cost and structure: BOTZ's total expense ratio is commonly listed at 0.68%.

How BOTZ can be used

  • As a satellite AI position focused on robotics and automation beneficiaries.

  • As a way to diversify AI exposure beyond software/platform names into "real economy" adoption.

Risk considerations

  • Robotics and automation can be cyclical: capex budgets tighten in slowdowns.

  • BOTZ can be volatile, and factor rotations (growth vs. value) can affect performance.


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Are there any lesser known AI stocks you're buying right now? What other sectors of the market are you focusing on in 2026? Hit "reply" to this email and let us know your thoughts!

We are issuing this disclosure in compliance with Section 17(b) of the Securities Act, which requires us to disclose any compensation received or expected to be received in cash or in kind in connection with the purchase or sale of any security.

We would like to inform you that we have received or expect to receive compensation in connection with the purchase or sale of the securities of Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI). The compensation consists of up to $6,500 and was received/will be received from Sideways Frequency.

This communication should not be considered as an endorsement of the securities of adviser Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI) and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions in any information provided about the securities of Banzai International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BNZI).

We encourage you to conduct your own due diligence and research before making any investment decisions. You should also consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

This disclosure is made as of 02/18/2026

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