Michael Burry's Big Short Gets Broader: Nvidia-Heavy Chip ETF, Nasdaq Now in Focus

Shares of semiconductor and chip companies are trading lower amid elevated expectations for Fed rate hikes due to broader inflation and energy challenges. Higher borrowing costs may affect the sector's ambitious capex plans while also creating risks for customers, which may be reflected in lower demand.

Applied Materials vs. Intel: Which Technology Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Applied Materials and Intel represent different points in the semiconductor supply chain. Applied Materials reported strong fiscal 2025 results with $28.4B revenue, 24.7% net margin, and $5.7B free cash flow, with Q3 2026 showing 25% revenue growth. Intel faced challenges with negative free cash flow in 2025, a $12.5B noncash charge in Q2 2026, and significant shareholder dilution from $23B in new stock sales. The analyst favors Applied Materials as the better buy but recommends dollar-cost averaging due to cyclical industry risks, while Intel's turnaround depends on its unprofitable foundry business becoming profitable.

RBC Capital Reiterates Outperform on Applied Materials, Maintains $600 Price Target

Intel vs. Marvell Technology: Which Tech Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Intel and Marvell Technology represent different plays in the AI-driven semiconductor market. Intel is undergoing a major turnaround to become a foundry while maintaining CPU dominance, reporting near-breakeven results with significant ongoing capital expenditures. Marvell focuses on data center networking and posted strong 42% revenue growth with a 32.6% net margin. The article concludes Marvell is the better buy due to its growth trajectory, lower valuation multiples, and lack of business model uncertainty, while Intel faces risks from its costly restructuring and government involvement.

Broadcom vs. Marvell Technology: Which Technology Stock Is a Better Buy in 2026?

Broadcom and Marvell Technology are compared as semiconductor investments in the AI-driven data center market. Broadcom, a diversified infrastructure giant with $1.7T market cap, offers lower valuation multiples and locked-in multi-year revenue commitments from major tech companies. Marvell, a smaller pure-play data infrastructure specialist with $236B market cap, shows faster growth (42% YoY) but higher valuation and customer concentration risks. The article recommends Broadcom for its superior forward visibility and expanding AI revenue base.

Microsoft Just Unveiled a Brand-New AI Chip. Could It Be the "Nvidia Killer" Everyone's Been Looking For?

Microsoft unveiled its Maia 300 AI chip, claiming 40% better token processing per megawatt than GPUs. Rather than competing on raw power where Nvidia dominates, Microsoft is targeting cost efficiency for AI inference workloads. The chip signals a shift in the AI industry from pure performance competition toward optimizing economics and cost-per-token delivery, though Nvidia's high-end processors remain critical to Microsoft's AI strategy.