AI Spending Boom Fuels 24-Year High for Convertible Bond Deals

Companies around the world are issuing convertible bonds at the fastest pace in 24 years, as the development of artificial intelligence spurs a hunt for cheaper financing.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Lumentum Holdings Inc. and Super Micro Computer Inc. are among the firms tapping convertible securities to fund AI-related bets, helping drive the amount raised in 2025 to around $166.5 billion, according to data compiled by Bank of America Global Research. That’s the most since 2001 and just shy of a historic record, the data show.