The Financial Post reports in its Thursday, Nov. 20, edition that for most of the past three years, Big Tech consistently delivered soaring profits in boom times and strong balance sheets during stress. A Bloomberg dispatch to the Post reports that the profile has taken a hit recently as Oracle, Amazon and Meta tap the credit market for billions to finance artificial intelligence projects. The result has been the first sustained sell-off for the group since April, as investors move from tech winners to more defensive stocks, benefitting companies with attractive dividend payments. The group, featuring stalwarts like Exxon Mobil, JPMorgan and Procter & Gamble, are sought after when riskier stocks become pricey and remains stable during turbulence. The CBOE Volatility index rose above 24 on Tuesday, exceeding its long-term average of 19. Bloomberg analyst Christopher Cain says: "It's common for investors to favour dividend-paying stocks when overall market valuations look stretched. These stocks often trade at lower valuations, and the steady cash flows can help cushion volatility." Bloomberg's Magnificent 7 index has lost 7.6 per cent since it peaked on Oct. 29, as investors grow concerned about the AI trade.