Chip Stocks Split: AMAT and TSMC Gain While NVDA and Intel Retreat

Core Insights - The semiconductor sector experienced mixed results, with an average gain of 1.5% last week, driven by strong performances from equipment makers like Applied Materials and Taiwan Semiconductor, while chip designers like Intel and NVIDIA faced challenges [1] Group 1: Company Performances - Applied Materials (AMAT) reported Q1 revenue of $7.01 billion, exceeding earnings estimates, and expects over 20% growth in its semiconductor equipment business this year due to AI infrastructure investments [1] - Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) saw a 37% increase in January revenue, surpassing its 30% growth target for 2026, indicating strong demand for its services [1] - Micron (MU) projected record Q2 revenue of $18.70 billion with 68% gross margins, benefiting from premium pricing on HBM3E chips for AI accelerators [1] Group 2: Stock Movements - AMAT shares increased by 10.1% last week and are up 38.1% year-to-date, while TSM shares rose by 5.0% and are up 20.6% year-to-date [1] - In contrast, Intel (INTC) shares fell by 7.5% after guiding Q1 revenue to $11.7-12.7 billion, citing memory supply constraints [1] - NVIDIA (NVDA) shares declined by 1.4% despite generally positive news, reflecting market concerns about potential loss of market share [1] Group 3: Market Trends - The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) gained 1.5%, indicating overall positive sentiment in the semiconductor sector, particularly for equipment makers and foundries [1] - Analysts maintain a strong bullish outlook on Micron, with 37 buy or strong buy ratings compared to only 6 hold or sell ratings, reflecting confidence in the AI memory cycle [1] - Upcoming reports from equipment makers and sales data from Asian foundries are anticipated to provide further insights into semiconductor demand for 2026 [1]