Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor industry is experiencing a significant cycle of growth driven by AI demand, leading to a resurgence in semiconductor equipment and materials, with a focus on capital expenditure and production capacity expansion [6][19][20]. Group 1: Semiconductor Market Dynamics - The semiconductor market faced a major crisis starting in 2021 due to pandemic-related disruptions, leading to a global chip shortage that affected various sectors, particularly automotive [6][7]. - The panic buying of chips created a closed-loop of high demand and low supply, resulting in extreme price inflation for certain components, such as automotive chips [8][11]. - In 2023, the global semiconductor market is projected to decline by 11% to $533 billion, with memory markets experiencing a nearly 40% contraction [11][12]. Group 2: Capital Expenditure Trends - Semiconductor capital expenditure surged by 35% in 2021 and an additional 15% in 2022, driven by capacity expansion plans from major players like TSMC and Samsung [11][12]. - In 2023, global semiconductor capital expenditure is expected to total $169 billion, reflecting a 7% decline, with memory sectors facing a 21% drop [12][13]. Group 3: AI and Semiconductor Demand - The demand for AI servers is significantly higher than traditional servers, with AI servers requiring 8 times the DRAM and 3 times the NAND capacity [13][14]. - The anticipated growth in AI applications is expected to lead to another chip shortage by the end of 2024, as supply struggles to keep pace with surging demand [14][15]. Group 4: Semiconductor Equipment Market - The semiconductor equipment market is projected to grow significantly, with Morgan Stanley raising its forecast for the global semiconductor capital equipment market growth rate to 16% by 2026, reaching $136 billion [19][20]. - The demand for semiconductor equipment is driven by the need for expanded production capacity in response to the AI-driven demand surge [16][19]. Group 5: Investment Strategies - Investing in semiconductor equipment and materials is crucial for capturing industry growth, with ETFs providing a practical approach for investors to gain exposure to leading companies in the sector [24][25]. - The semiconductor equipment ETF, E Fund (159558), has shown strong performance, reflecting the high demand and growth potential in the semiconductor equipment market [21][25].