The Motley Fool·2026-01-18 07:30Core Viewpoint - The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) experienced significant growth in 2022, driven by the AI boom and strong performances from key holdings like Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom, with the ETF finishing the year up 40% [1][3]. Group 1: Performance Overview - The SOXX's performance mirrored that of the Nasdaq Composite, with most holdings traded on the Nasdaq and significant contributions from Nvidia and Broadcom [3]. - The ETF started strong but faced a dip in March due to tariff concerns and economic weakening, rebounding after the "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, and then surged as AI interest returned [4]. - The ETF's top three holdings are Micron, Nvidia, and AMD, each constituting over 7% of the fund, with Micron's stock tripling last year due to increased demand for high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI [5]. Group 2: Future Outlook - The SOXX has been a consistent outperformer, with a remarkable 1,160% increase over the last year, and is expected to continue this trend as semiconductor demand remains central to technology advancements [6]. - The AI sector is anticipated to have another strong year in 2026, supported by robust quarterly results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, indicating ongoing chip demand [7]. - As of January 15, the SOXX is already up 11.8% year-to-date, suggesting it is well-positioned to outperform the market again, barring any significant downturn in the AI boom [8].