Every smartphone in your pocket, every car with advanced electronics, and every server that powers the internet relies on one company’s machines. That company is ASML Holdings (NASDAQ: ASML). Despite playing such a critical role in the semiconductor industry, ASML remains an unfamiliar name to many. These machines, each costing as much as US$378 million, are indispensable.Let’s look at how they function and why a relatively unknown Dutch firm holds such an outsized influence over the future of technology.Th ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the current state of the stock market, particularly focusing on the tech and AI sectors, and highlights 10 stocks that are gaining attention among analysts and hedge fund investors [2][4]. Group 1: Market Sentiment and Analysis - Some analysts express concerns about potential market froth due to rising valuations in the AI sector, while others believe the AI boom is still in its early stages and a bubble is not imminent [2][3]. - Historical comparisons are made to illustrate that current valuations, such as those of Cisco in 1998, do not reflect a bubble-like environment [2]. Group 2: Hedge Fund Interest - The article emphasizes the significance of hedge fund investments, noting that imitating top stock picks from leading hedge funds can lead to market outperformance [4]. - A list of 10 stocks is provided, along with the number of hedge fund investors for each, indicating strong institutional interest [4]. Group 3: Individual Stock Highlights - **KLA Corp (NASDAQ:KLAC)**: Praised for its role in AI infrastructure and strong relationships with major companies like Nvidia and Broadcom, with 58 hedge fund investors [5][7]. - **ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML)**: Expected to benefit from significant spending by Taiwan Semiconductor, with 78 hedge fund investors [8]. - **Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC)**: Analysts believe government involvement will enhance sales, and Nvidia's reliance on Intel for chip production is highlighted, with 82 hedge fund investors [9][10]. - **Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ:LRCX)**: Positioned well for increased memory spending, with 85 hedge fund investors [11][13]. - **Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ:MU)**: Strong demand from Nvidia gives Micron pricing power, with 94 hedge fund investors [14][15]. - **Alibaba Group Holding Ltd – ADR (NYSE:BABA)**: Considered the cheapest way to invest in AI globally, with 101 hedge fund investors [16].

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) just became the latest company to get hit by the trade war.On Wednesday, the stock tumbled after it announced that it would take a charge of up to $5.5 billion in the first quarter due to a new restriction on exports of its H20 chips to China. Those chips are less powerful versions of its popular artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators, and the policy is in keeping with increasingly tight restrictions on sending cutting-edge technology to China.The U.S. has pressured a number of othe ...