Anthropic's $16.8 billion quarter may aid its IPO but not the broader AI trade

Anthropic reported $16.8 billion in third-quarter revenue, an adjusted gross margin of 85% and positive free cash flow. The figures suggest the company's artificial intelligence investments are starting to pay off. They may strengthen the case for its planned IPO, yet they have not eased doubts about the wider AI sector. Global AI stocks remain under pressure from rising bond yields, oil-driven inflation and funding concerns at companies such as CoreWeave.