Bank of America Securities analysts have resumed coverage of the information and business services sector, concluding that although next-generation artificial intelligence models create disruption risk for some players, a number of companies in the space are likely to be net beneficiaries.
In a note, the team led by Curtis Nagle and Wahid Amin said they reinstated coverage after a wave of market selling that reflected investor concern about how broadly AI could alter business models across industries. That selloff, the analysts noted, migrated beyond software names and into a wide range of sectors, including data-related firms, logistics and real estate service providers.
The analysts pointed to a marked decline in the sector's valuation premium relative to the wider market over the past six months. They highlighted a pullback in benchmark technology indices and mega-cap stocks: the Nasdaq Composite has fallen by more than 5% since January 28, while the so-called Magnificent Seven group of large-cap tech companies is down by over 8%. Individual longstanding favorites Microsoft and Amazon have each retraced substantially, slipping by 17% and 18%, respectively, as investors weigh the potential returns from massive hyperscaler investment in AI infrastructure.
Despite those reversals, BofA's analysts argue that several U.S. information and business services firms within their coverage universe are positioned to benefit from AI adoption. They expect the secular shift toward AI could support a positive cycle of earnings revisions for the sector this year and said current valuations look "attractive" on an overall basis.
To distinguish companies with the most favorable risk-reward profile, the analysts set out a set of criteria. Firms they see as having the least disruption risk and the best ability to leverage AI generally feature:
- Proprietary and walled-off data that competitors cannot easily replicate,
- Entrenched regulatory frameworks that raise barriers to entry and scaling for new competitors,
- High switching costs for customers, and
- A high cost of failure should model outputs or workflows be incorrect or incomplete.
According to the analysts, companies that meet these conditions include S&P Global, Moody's Corporation, MSCI, Fair Isaac Corporation, Equifax, TransUnion and Verisk Analytics. The note lists these firms as examples of businesses that combine defensible data assets with structural market advantages.
Beyond firm-level positioning, the analysts highlighted several thematic drivers that could support sector activity: increased dealmaking and share buybacks, the global energy transition, investment in AI infrastructure and the growth of private credit. These themes were flagged as additional factors for investors to monitor within the information and business services complex.
Bottom line: BofA's reinstated coverage frames a nuanced view: while AI introduces disruption risks that have already pressured valuations, certain information and business services companies with data moats, regulatory protections and high customer stickiness appear set to capture upside from AI deployment, potentially prompting positive earnings revisions and making valuations more compelling.