Corporate bond issuance worldwide reached approximately $3.68 trillion in the January-June 2026 period, setting another first-half record as companies compete to finance artificial intelligence (AI) investments. This surge is driven notably by hyperscalers such as Amazon and Oracle, which are issuing tens of billions of dollars in bonds to support AI-related projects including data centers.

However, the aggressive borrowing has raised concerns among investors, who are beginning to seek higher yields amid widening credit spreads. The trend reflects the intense funding race in the AI sector, highlighting both the growth potential and the financial risks involved.

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