The Stock Market Just Got Shaky. Where to Find Solid Ground.
Boring companies look a lot more interesting after an AI-driven rout in highflying tech shares.
By Jason Zweig, The Wall Street Journal, Feb. 6, 2026
Boring is back.
In recent days, software stocks and other risky assets have been mowed down by artificial intelligence, but stodgier stocks are springing up to replace them among the market’s leaders.
Many investors are hoping to sidestep the Grim Reaper of AI, reduce their exposure to the biggest technology stocks and still earn decent returns by beefing up their positions in these boring companies…
Over time, these [low volatility] funds have tended to capture roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of the S&P 500’s losses during down markets—and of its gains during up markets. That makes them appealing if you expect giant tech stocks—or the market as a whole—to falter.
After all, it takes a 100% gain to recover fully from a 50% loss, a 33% gain to recover from a 25% loss, and so on…[end quote]
Every investor has different objectives. Some want growth and are willing to accept risk and market volatility. Others prefer stability at the expense of growth.
Wendy