On Monday morning, Wall Street lit up as Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) made a bold move, launching two brand-new AI accelerator chips, the AI200 and AI250, to directly challenge Nvidia’s dominance.
Here’s the front-page headline from the Wall Street Journal…
Shares jumped over 20% on the announcement as Qualcomm promised faster, more energy-efficient chips to meet AI’s surging demand.
And that demand is only set to increase exponentially… Because, as I see it, AI is as groundbreaking as the invention of the wheel.
AI usage is exploding, and so are the fees to keep it running.
Every major tech company, like Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Google, and Nvidia, is paying billions in “AI Tolls” to access the AI Superhighway.
And guess what! You can be a toll collector too!!
Smart investors can set up a virtual tollbooth inside their brokerage accounts, giving them a cut of this growing cash stream.
The “AI Tolls” opportunity is one of the fastest-growing plays in the entire market, and it’s still flying under the radar…
Until February 16, 2026, when I expect a major press release from the company at the center of it all.
Those who move before that happens stand to gain the most.
Luckily, I’ve already done the legwork for you…
Watch my video below to take advantage of one of the greatest trading opportunities AI has to offer!
And for traders and investors in AI who think companies like Qualcomm are the central narrative, I beg to differ…
While the crowd is busy chasing AI chip stocks, the real money is shifting elsewhere.
The Picks and Shovels Play
Let’s go back to the 1800s…
During the California gold rush, the biggest fortunes weren’t made by the gold miners. Nope, they were made by the folks selling the pans, shovels, and tools.
It’s the same today, only now, AI is the gold, and infrastructure, energy, and power grid expansion are the shovels.
The world is racing to build the digital backbone of AI, and that means:
- Grid upgrades
- Transmission networks
- Small modular nuclear reactors
- Concrete, copper, cables, and construction equipment
If you know where to look, you can position yourself in the quiet corner of the market, capitalizing on every AI surge, regardless of who wins the chip wars.
Under-the-Radar Infrastructure Stocks Powering the AI Boom
Here are a few of the tickers I’m watching closely… The picks and shovels of the AI age.
All of these are swing-trade candidates, and because of that, they may be out of your budget. If that’s the case, consider using options to get in on the same price action at a fraction of the cost.
Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR):
PWR is a pure grid-expansion play. They’re building the energy infrastructure, including high-voltage lines, renewable energy sources, and substation upgrades.
This stock has risen by 500%+ in the past five years, and it still has considerable room to run.
PWR One-Month, Hourly Candles Chart; SteadyTrade
NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG):
NRG is a power generation company with exposure to AI-driven industrial demand. It’s the “utility company of the AI era.”
This is a “real stock” with real revenue, a real dividend, and real staying power.
NRG One-Month, Hourly Candles Chart; SteadyTrade
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL):
AI is already testing the limits of America’s aging grids, and XEL is the solution. It’s a key regional utility and is already partnered with Meta to supply power to their data centers.
XEL One-Month, Hourly Candles Chart; SteadyTrade
My Final Thoughts…
Everyone’s looking for the next Nvidia…
But the real fortune will be made by those who understand the companies that power Nvidia, and everyone else.
We’re entering the golden age of American infrastructure. Trillions are flowing into reshoring, grid upgrades, and next-gen energy.
And the best part? Retail traders have a rare window to get in before Wall Street catches on.
So while the crowd chases the next flashy AI breakout…
Buy the shovels!
Have a great day, everyone. See you back here tomorrow.
Tim Bohen
Lead Trainer, StocksToTrade
P.S.
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