Sell-side analysts who build public followings around a single sector shape which companies get credit for AI-driven growth, and Ives is one of the most-quoted voices linking AI infrastructure spending to stock performance for Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple. His move from equity research into a hybrid research-advisory-investing vehicle mirrors a broader pattern of high-profile analysts converting media influence into deal flow, and it raises a practical question for practitioners: which research voices will next occupy the space Ives vacates at Wedbush.
What happened
Wedbush Securities confirmed in a July 1, 2026 statement that Dan Ives, Managing Director and Global Head of Technology Research, has departed after eight years to start a new investment banking venture. According to CNBC, Ives is launching what he called a "modern merchant bank" that will combine proprietary research, strategic advisory services, capital raising, and investments across technology, energy, and financials, with a formal announcement expected in the coming weeks. Ives said he intends to continue publishing technology research while building the new firm. Wedbush CEO Gary Wedbush said the firm is "grateful for his eight years of contributions," and the firm noted its IVES and IVEP AI-themed ETFs will continue without interruption.
Background
Business coverage credits Ives with early bullish calls tied to AI infrastructure demand: he was an early advocate of Nvidia's expansion beyond gaming as AI compute demand grew, and he argued Microsoft would be a primary beneficiary after OpenAI's ChatGPT launched in November 2022, a call that preceded Microsoft's stock roughly doubling. He was also an early bull on Apple's services growth. Ives is known for frequent television appearances and for launching a personal clothing line in 2025.
For practitioners
Ives' coverage has functioned as a market-narrative amplifier for AI infrastructure names; his departure is a reminder that sell-side research voices, not just technical benchmarks, influence enterprise vendor-selection debates and capital flows into AI compute providers. Practitioners tracking analyst sentiment on AI-linked equities should watch which Wedbush colleagues absorb his coverage list and how quickly Ives' new merchant bank begins publishing research or advising on AI-sector deals.
What to watch
The formal launch and staffing of Ives' merchant bank in the coming weeks, which sectors beyond technology, energy, and financials it targets, and whether Wedbush's technology research team, now led by Seth Basham, Director of Equity Research, maintains the same market visibility on AI infrastructure names.
Key Points
- 1Dan Ives departed Wedbush Securities on July 1, 2026 after eight years to launch a new AI-focused merchant bank spanning research, advisory, and investing.
- 2Ives built an outsized media profile linking AI infrastructure spending to Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple stock performance, making him a market-narrative amplifier.
- 3His exit signals sell-side research talent monetizing AI-market influence through hybrid banking models, a pattern practitioners tracking capital flows should watch.
Scoring Rationale
Confirmed via Wedbush's official statement and corroborated by CNBC and Bloomberg reporting, this is a well-sourced business/personnel story about a high-profile AI-stocks analyst launching a new venture. It shapes market narrative and sell-side coverage of AI infrastructure names but involves no technical, product, or research development, placing it in the solid rather than notable band.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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