Consumer Tech (Jul 13-17): IBM Sees Worst Day On Record, Gemini 3.5 Pro Release Delayed, Uber Acquires Delivery Hero & More

Shares of semiconductor and chip companies are trading lower as rising inflation concerns and elevated energy prices fuel expectations for further Fed rate hikes. Elevated borrowing costs could pressure semiconductor manufacturing and AI infrastructure investments while straining customer budgets. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) has declined for seven consecutive trading sessions, matching its longest losing streak since the 2008 financial crisis.

Shares of semiconductor and chip companies are trading lower as rising inflation concerns and elevated energy prices fuel expectations for further Fed rate hikes. Rising borrowing costs could pressure fab and AI infrastructure while straining customers budgets. Semiconductor stocks also faced pressure after South Korea’s Kospi index fell more than 7% overnight.

Prediction: $1,000 Invested in Taiwan Semi (TSMC) Today Will Be Worth This Much by 2030.

TSMC is positioned for strong growth through 2030, with analysts expecting 46% revenue growth and 66% EPS growth in 2026, followed by 32% and 31% CAGRs respectively through 2028. The article projects a $1,000 investment could grow to over $3,000 by late 2030 if the company meets expectations and trades at 20x forward earnings, driven by AI and cloud infrastructure demand. However, risks include Taiwan-China tensions, costly overseas expansion, and potential AI spending slowdowns.

Not Nvidia. Not TSMC. This Equipment Maker Is the Real Bottleneck in AI Chip Production.

ASML, the Dutch semiconductor equipment maker, is identified as the true bottleneck in AI chip production. As the sole producer of high-end EUV lithography systems essential for manufacturing advanced AI chips, ASML has no competitors and significant pricing power. The company expects 35-38% revenue growth for 2026 with expanding EPS, driven by surging demand for its EUV systems from foundries like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel.

ASML: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors

ASML reported record Q3 2026 net sales of €11.7 billion driven by AI infrastructure investments from chipmakers. The company is accelerating production capacity expansion for EUV and DUV systems beyond initial targets, with demand expected to outpace supply through at least 2028. Management has also secured price increases on critical products that will boost gross margins starting in 2027.

ASML Can't Keep Up With 2027 or 2028 Demand. Is It the Best AI Stock to Buy Now?

ASML reported record Q3 2026 results with 11.7 billion euros in revenue and 57.5% gross margins, beating guidance. The semiconductor equipment maker faces supply constraints as demand for AI chip manufacturing equipment outpaces production capacity. Management indicated that even planned 30% production increases for 2027-2028 may be insufficient to meet customer demand, signaling strong pricing power and long-term growth potential in EUV lithography systems.