Options selling with Christian
Growth Investor, Options Selling, Creator of Stock Catalysts
CoreWeave looks like a poor long because its debt now exceeds its market capitalization. x.comÂ
Nebius can do well while its convertible debt is not yet due, unlike CoreWeave, which faces immediate liquidity trouble. Pain may come when Nebius's convertibles mature; it is nowhere near CoreWeave's current default risk. A $3,000 share target goes too far. x.com x.comÂ
Neoclouds can reprice higher only if financing constraints halt smaller rivals' buildouts, leaving CoreWeave and Nebius as survivors. CoreWeave CDS has seen its highs and its debt has repriced upward; a business that might fail in four years is different from one that must fail now. Ant's S-1 confirms that serving inference is extremely profitable. x.comÂ
CoreWeave's debt burden made its IPO dead on arrival, and the burden is even worse now. Debt threatens the equity case. x.comÂ
Nebius's better debt position than CoreWeave's supports preferring Nebius. Nebius has much less net debt relative to cash than CoreWeave, whose debt and lease obligations far exceed its cash. realDiokles raises a valid risk that Nebius's convertibles may not convert without a sustained share-price rally through maturity, but that does not erase its relative debt advantage. x.com x.comÂ
Hyperscaler borrowing could raise Nebius and CoreWeave's financing costs as investors favor safer debt. Microsoft reportedly plans to borrow. Nebius has prepayments and cheaper funding; CoreWeave has more debt. Nebius is strongly preferred if credit tightens. If rates fall and CoreWeave turns its $104B backlog into revenue, EBITDA and cash flow, it could have significantly more upside. Google expects more third-party compute use in Q4; Microsoft cites delayed deliveries. x.com x.com x.comÂ
Nebius is a better option than CoreWeave going forward because its balance sheet is stronger. x.comÂ
CoreWeave is the neocloud most likely to be unable to meet its debt obligations, with bond rates on its debt approaching 15.5%. Per @StockSavvyShay, Jim Cramer nevertheless picked CoreWeave as the only neocloud he trusts and wants to own. x.comÂ
CoreWeave's falling financing costs make debt fears look overdone. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says its cost of capital is falling and strength rising, so Nvidia need not backstop it. CoreWeave is superior to Nebius: Oguz Erkan says its rates are falling as deployed capacity earns more, while Nebius's rise as it scales. Dan at DivesTech expects upcoming hyperscaler earnings to reinforce capex growth and says CoreWeave fears are overdone. x.com x.com x.comÂ
Nebius's partly customer-funded buildout makes its financing structure preferable to CoreWeave's as borrowing risks rise. CoreWeave's unsecured bond yields have approached 15%, while hotter CPI raises the possibility of more Fed hikes. Nebius had about $8B cash at Q2, expects over $9B in 2026 customer prepayments and secured a $775M facility at SOFR + 2.50%. Its $20-25B capex plan, negative free cash flow, dilution and premium valuation still demand attractive returns after costs. x.com x.comÂ