Oracle Shares Slide 5% as AI Data Center Deal Collapses, Tech Sector Feels Ripple Effects
Oracle Corp. (ORCL) shares tumbled 5% Wednesday after its $10 billion Michigan data center project with Blue Owl Capital collapsed, exacerbating concerns about the software giant's mounting debt load. The failed deal—which WOULD have supported OpenAI's infrastructure needs—comes as Oracle faces $105 billion in net debt, with Morgan Stanley projecting a staggering $290 billion by 2028.
The breakdown follows Oracle's disappointing quarterly earnings, where revenue of $16.06 billion missed estimates despite 14% annual growth. Investors have punished the stock, sending it down 18% over five trading sessions. September's $18 billion bond sale now appears insufficient as the company negotiates for $38 billion in additional financing through Wall Street banks.
Tech stocks broadly retreated on the news, with cloud computing and AI-related names particularly vulnerable. The debacle underscores how capital-intensive AI infrastructure projects remain perilous even for established players—a reality that could temporarily dampen crypto market optimism about enterprise blockchain adoption.