A new report argues that Big Tech’s financial results are being presented more favorably than the underlying operating performance because of large gains tied to investments in private AI companies. The analysis suggests that some companies’ earnings look stronger when investors account for valuation increases or mark-to-market gains connected to holdings in firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic. However, when those investment gains are removed, the report says the broader earnings narrative becomes less bullish. The reporting highlights that this effect is most visible in periods when valuations for private AI players rise quickly, allowing public companies to recognize gains even if core revenue growth and margins do not improve at the same pace. The sources do not dispute that these companies have exposure to high-growth AI sectors, but they emphasize that separating investment-related gains from business operations is necessary to assess the durability of earnings. Overall, the coverage focuses on how accounting treatment and investment performance can affect investor perceptions of corporate profitability and growth, particularly for companies with significant stakes in private AI companies.