Core Viewpoint - The stock of Applied Materials experienced a significant increase of 6.35% on October 1, reaching its highest point since July 2024, attracting widespread market attention [1] Group 1: Market Performance - The global semiconductor industry is undergoing a new cyclical recovery, providing growth opportunities for key suppliers like Applied Materials [1] - The demand for semiconductors is driven by the accelerated adoption of technologies such as 5G, IoT, and AI, leading to increased investment in related equipment [1] Group 2: Innovation and R&D - Applied Materials has been actively investing in research and development, driving breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies [1] - The company's strong R&D capabilities and market insights allow it to maintain a competitive edge amid intense market competition [1] Group 3: Geopolitical Factors - Geopolitical factors are impacting the semiconductor industry, particularly in terms of supply and demand relationships [1] - Trade frictions and technological barriers are prompting companies to reassess the stability of their supply chains, making strategic adjustments essential for companies like Applied Materials [1]

Core Viewpoint - The technology sector, particularly the Sci-Tech Innovation Board (STAR Market), has shown remarkable performance in the A-share market, with the STAR 50 Index rising over 45% since July 2023 [1] Group 1: Performance Metrics - As of September 24, 2023, the STAR 50 ETF (588080) has reached a scale of over 74 billion yuan, making it the largest product tracking the STAR 50 Index [1] - The significant rise in the STAR 50 Index is primarily driven by the cyclical recovery of the semiconductor industry and growth breakthroughs driven by AI [1] Group 2: Industry Insights - The semiconductor industry is the largest weight sector in the STAR 50 Index, accounting for approximately 66%, which is the highest among related broad-based indices [1] - Six out of the top ten weighted stocks in the STAR 50 Index are leading companies in the semiconductor industry [1] Group 3: Market Trends - The global user base for AI applications is continuously increasing, providing momentum for the semiconductor industry [1] - In July 2023, global semiconductor sales exceeded 60 billion USD for the first time, marking a year-on-year growth of 20.6% [1] - In the second quarter of 2023, the net profit attributable to the parent company in China's semiconductor industry increased by approximately 56% quarter-on-quarter, with many leading companies significantly improving their performance [1]