October 13, 2026
AI stock sell-off could hit global finance: IMF flags it as one of three notable risks
On Oct 13, the IMF warned that a crash in AI company stocks could hit global financial stability. Among the causes it named are rising debt and sky-high valuations. Together with government borrowing and a cyberattack, these are the three “notable risks” in the semiannual Global Financial Stability Report.
By the Guardian's count, the seven largest US tech companies make up more than 35% of the S&P 500, versus 12% ten years ago. Their combined value has grown by more than 50% over two years.
Debt link. By the Guardian's count, cloud giants (hyperscalers) have signed linked deals worth $300 billion with weaker AI companies. They rest on $650 billion in borrowing, and the Guardian estimates the future obligations on that debt at $1.4 trillion.
The full report on the IMF website is still marked “Coming Soon,” so all figures here come from the Guardian's summary.