Global Chaos, AI Fears Help Tech’s Dividend Stocks

An uncertain economy and dangerous geopolitical backdrop have investors buying into technology’s most popular haven trade: dividend-rich telecommunications stocks.

After a dismal 2025, telecom is one of this year’s top performing sectors in the S&P 500 Index, rising more than 7% while the broad benchmark is down about 1%. Shares of Verizon Communication Inc. are up 16% in 2026, and AT&T Inc. has gained 10%. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq 100 Index fell into a correction in March, and a Bloomberg gauge of the Magnificent Seven tech giants is about 10% below its October high.