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Wall Street bets on chip boom are getting more concentrated, and it could be good thing for investors
CNBC·2025-09-19 16:44

Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor sector, particularly driven by Nvidia's success, has become a focal point for investors, with new concentrated investment strategies emerging in this space [1]. Group 1: Semiconductor ETFs - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) has become a benchmark for capturing sector growth, with a portfolio that includes major players like Nvidia, TSMC, and ASML, and has grown to nearly $30 billion, up close to 30% year-to-date [2]. - Other ETFs such as the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) and Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXQ) also provide exposure to the semiconductor industry, attracting investors seeking concentrated investments [5]. - The SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) offers an equal-weighting approach, allowing smaller companies like Astera Labs and Credo Technology to have equal representation with larger firms like Nvidia [6][7]. Group 2: Nvidia's Role - Nvidia's CEO described the company's Blackwell platform as a significant advancement in AI technology, with demand being characterized as "extraordinary" [4]. - Nvidia's investment of $5 billion in Intel to co-develop data centers and PC chips highlights its growing influence across the tech sector [4]. Group 3: Investment Strategies - The Invesco Semiconductors ETF (PSI) utilizes a custom index to select semiconductor companies based on various momentum factors, providing a different exposure compared to traditional market-cap weighted ETFs [11][12]. - The newly launched VanEck Fabless Semiconductor ETF (SMHX) focuses on fabless companies, with Nvidia as its top holding, catering to investors seeking targeted exposure within the semiconductor space [13][14].