Google's Intraday High and the Reshaping of Tech Sector Momentum: Uncovering Undervalued AI-Driven Leaders in 2026

The recent intraday high of $328.67 for Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) on November 25, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the tech sector's trajectory, signaling both the enduring strength of Big Tech and the shifting investor focus toward niche AI-driven innovators according to Trading Economics. While Google's performance underscored the sector's resilience, it also highlighted a broader trend: as the AI rally matures in 2026, capital is increasingly flowing toward undervalued companies with specialized expertise in AI infrastructure, data centers, and applied AI solutions. This shift reflects a recalibration of risk and reward in a market where overvaluation concerns are tempering enthusiasm for dominant players.

Tech Sector Momentum: From Consolidation to Diversification

The post-2025 tech landscape is defined by a strategic pivot toward value hunting. According to a Reuters report, investors are now prioritizing firms with tangible operational advantages in the AI stack, particularly those offering scalable infrastructure or proprietary data intelligence. This trend is evident in the performance of companies like CoreWeave and Jabil, which have emerged as critical players in the AI ecosystem. CoreWeave, a provider of AI-specific data centers, has seen its stock price pull back despite robust demand for its services, creating a compelling entry point for investors seeking exposure to AI infrastructure without the premium attached to larger tech names. Similarly, Jabil's AI server components business is projected to grow by 35% in fiscal 2026, driven by surging demand from hyperscalers and cloud providers. These examples illustrate how the sector's momentum is diversifying beyond traditional leaders, favoring firms with niche but essential roles in the AI value chain.

Valuation Dynamics: Premiums, Multiples, and the AI Premium

Valuation metrics in Q4 2025 further reinforce this narrative. A Finrofca report notes that AI-driven companies operating in foundational layers of the AI stack-such as large language model (LLM) vendors and infrastructure providers-commanded higher valuation multiples compared to applied AI sectors. For instance, AI-enabled e-commerce startups maintained a 22.3% median pre-money valuation premium over non-AI peers in 2025, driven by investor optimism about AI's ability to enhance automation, conversion rates, and customer service. However, this premium has begun to narrow as investors increasingly demand proof of unit economics and tangible revenue impact, particularly for early-stage ventures. This shift underscores a maturing market where operational traction-not just AI hype-dictates valuation outcomes.

The broader AI sector's dominance is also reflected in the Cloud 100 benchmarks, where AI-driven companies accounted for 42% of the list in 2025 according to BVP. This statistic highlights the sector's growing influence but also raises questions about sustainability. As the Economic Times observes, global investors are now spreading their bets beyond Big Tech, targeting firms that address specific pain points in the AI ecosystem, such as energy-efficient computing or data annotation.

Strategic Implications for Investors

For investors, the key takeaway is clear: the post-2025 tech sector is rewarding companies that combine AI expertise with operational efficiency. While Google's intraday high in late 2025 demonstrated the enduring appeal of established leaders, the broader market is now favoring undervalued innovators with specialized capabilities. CoreWeave and Jabil exemplify this trend, offering exposure to AI's growth without the high multiples of public tech giants. Meanwhile, the valuation dynamics observed in Q4 2025 suggest that the most compelling opportunities lie in firms that can demonstrate measurable impact on unit economics-a critical differentiator in an increasingly competitive landscape.

As 2026 unfolds, the tech sector's momentum will likely hinge on its ability to balance innovation with execution. For those willing to look beyond the headlines, the AI-driven web ecosystem holds significant promise for those who can identify the next wave of undervalued leaders.