Software and Platform Stocks Week Ahead: AI Spending Scrutiny, Cloud Security Mega-Deals, and Holiday-Shortened Trading (Dec. 22–26, 2025)
Google Cloud and Palo Alto Networks announced an expanded partnership with a contract approaching $10 billion, according to Reuters sources. Software and platform stocks faced volatile trading ahead of Christmas week, as investors weighed thin markets and questions about AI infrastructure payback. Wall Street also tracked shifting expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026.
