Meta and Tesla Use ClickHouse as Nvidia Faces Chip Tariff Threat

The artificial intelligence sector continues to attract significant investment, evidenced by database management company ClickHouse reaching a $15 billion valuation after securing $400 million in a Series D funding round led by Dragoneer Investment Group. ClickHouse, which provides real-time analytics software crucial for managing large data volumes, counts major clients like Meta and Tesla among its users. This robust investor confidence extends across the semiconductor industry, with Exchange-Traded Funds focused on chips outperforming the broader S&P 500, signaling strong belief in chipmakers' long-term role in powering AI applications. The AI revolution is shifting from training to the "doing" or inference phase, a transition expected to greatly benefit companies like Broadcom. Broadcom specializes in application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), which offer efficiency advantages over more flexible graphics processing units from companies such as Nvidia and AMD, for data center infrastructure. Marvell Technology also stands out, designing custom AI processors and networking chips, reporting a 51 percent revenue jump to nearly $6 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2026, making it an attractive investment with a forward earnings multiple of 23. Beyond core infrastructure, AI is driving innovation in diverse sectors. BigBear.ai expanded its capabilities in national security and defense by acquiring generative AI platform Ask Sage for $250 million and partnering with the Kraft Group for supply chain transparency. Meanwhile, Home Depot is leveraging AI, collaborating with Google Cloud's Gemini models and Rilla's tools, to enhance customer service and operational efficiency, aiming to boost productivity despite recent sales challenges. However, security remains a concern, as Radware discovered "ZombieAgent," a serious zero-click vulnerability in OpenAI's Deep Research agent, exposing enterprise users to data theft risks. The global AI chip market faces potential headwinds, including a proposed 25 percent tariff from Trump on AI chips. This tariff could significantly impact companies like Nvidia and AMD, which rely heavily on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for producing their advanced chips, such as Nvidia's H100 and H200 series and AMD's MI300 series. Such tariffs could force price increases or reduced profits, affecting their strong growth. Despite these challenges, companies like InterDigital are poised for gains, with their licensed technologies benefiting from projected mobile data traffic tripling by 2027, driven by content and cloud services.

Key Takeaways

• ClickHouse achieved a $15 billion valuation after a $400 million Series D funding round, led by Dragoneer Investment Group, serving clients like Meta and Tesla.
• ClickHouse acquired Langfuse, an open-source platform designed to help create, test, and monitor large language models for accuracy and safety.
• Broadcom is positioned to benefit from the AI inference phase with its ASICs, which offer cost and efficiency advantages over GPUs from Nvidia and AMD in data centers.
• Radware discovered "ZombieAgent," a zero-click indirect prompt injection vulnerability in OpenAI's Deep Research agent, posing risks of data theft and agent hijacking.
• Semiconductor Exchange-Traded Funds are outperforming the S&P 500, reflecting strong investor confidence in chipmakers' role in the AI boom.
• BigBear.ai acquired generative AI platform Ask Sage for $250 million, expanding its capabilities in national security and defense, and partnered with the Kraft Group.
• A potential 25 percent tariff on AI chips from Trump could significantly impact Nvidia (H100, H200) and AMD (MI300 series) due to their reliance on TSMC in Taiwan.
• Home Depot is expanding its use of AI, collaborating with Google Cloud's Gemini models and Rilla's tools, to improve customer service and operational efficiency.
• Marvell Technology, designing custom AI processors and networking chips, saw revenue jump 51 percent to nearly $6 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2026.
• InterDigital expects to reach $1 billion in yearly recurring revenue by 2030, driven by increasing demand from AI applications and projected mobile data traffic growth.

ClickHouse reaches $15 billion value in AI boom

Database management company ClickHouse is now valued at $15 billion after raising $400 million in a Series D funding round. Dragoneer Investment Group led the round, with participation from Bessemer Venture Partners, GIC, and Index Ventures. This high valuation reflects strong investor interest in AI-related companies, as ClickHouse provides real-time analytics software crucial for managing large data volumes. The company also acquired Langfuse, an open-source platform that helps create, test, and monitor large language models. Founded in 2009, ClickHouse serves major customers like Meta, Sony, and Tesla with its open-source database software.

ClickHouse valued at $15 billion for AI databases

Database technology startup ClickHouse Inc. secured $400 million in a funding round led by Dragoneer Investment Group, raising its valuation to $15 billion. This significant deal highlights strong investor interest in companies that power artificial intelligence applications. CEO Aaron Katz stated the funds will accelerate product development and boost sales and marketing efforts. ClickHouse also acquired Germany’s Langfuse GmbH, a startup that helps ensure AI systems produce accurate and safe results. The company, founded in 2009, serves major clients like Meta Platforms and Tesla, and plans to expand its international presence.

Broadcom chips power next phase of AI growth

Broadcom is set to benefit greatly as the artificial intelligence revolution moves from training to inference, known as the 'doing' phase. Its semiconductor chips and software are essential components for the power, networking, and infrastructure needed for AI systems. Broadcom specializes in application-specific integrated circuits, which are purpose-built chips that help data centers cut costs and increase efficiency. This gives it an advantage over more flexible graphics processing units from companies like Nvidia and AMD. The company has seen its stock rise by 58 percent in the last 12 months, and it holds a $1.6 trillion market cap.

Radware finds new AI security flaw ZombieAgent

Radware recently discovered 'ZombieAgent,' a serious zero-click indirect prompt injection vulnerability in OpenAI's Deep Research agent. This flaw exposes enterprise users to risks like invisible data theft and persistent agent hijacking. Radware plans to publish full technical details and defense guidance through its Security Research Center. The company's stock has shown short-term gains, but its current price of US$24.64 is considered overvalued with a high price-to-earnings ratio of 64.2x. Analysts have an average target price of US$30.67, but Radware's earnings have declined over the past five years.

AI boom lifts semiconductor ETFs above S&P 500

Semiconductor Exchange-Traded Funds saw sharp increases on Friday afternoon, outperforming the broader U.S. stock market. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF rose by 1.2 percent, and the iShares Semiconductor ETF gained 1.1 percent, while the S&P 500 index was up 0.2 percent. This strong performance reflects growing investor excitement for artificial intelligence. Investors believe chipmakers will greatly benefit from the AI boom due to high demand for specialized chips used to power AI applications. This trend suggests increasing confidence in the semiconductor industry's long-term role in developing and deploying AI technologies.

BigBear.ai expands with acquisition and new deals

BigBear.ai Holdings Inc. recently acquired Ask Sage, a generative AI platform, for $250 million, boosting its capabilities in national security, defense, and intelligence markets. The company also opened its first office in Abu Dhabi and partnered with Vigilix and Easy Lease to expand its presence in the Middle East. BigBear.ai formed a partnership with the Kraft Group, including the New England Patriots, to use AI for supply chain transparency and operational decision-making. While its stock has been volatile, it shows short-term strength, and analysts have a 'Buy' rating with a $6.10 average price target. The company expects to report earnings on March 5.

Trump's 25 percent tariff threatens AI chipmakers

A new 25 percent tariff from Trump on AI chips could significantly impact major chip companies, especially those relying on manufacturing in Taiwan. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which produces 90 percent of the world's advanced chips, is highly exposed. NVIDIA, designing chips in California but manufacturing them through TSMC in Taiwan, faces risks to its H100 and H200 chips. Advanced Micro Devices, a key competitor to NVIDIA, also relies on TSMC for its MI300 series chips. These tariffs could force companies to raise prices or reduce profits, affecting their strong growth in the AI market.

Home Depot uses AI to boost sales amid challenges

Home Depot reported weak comparable sales and expects a 5 percent drop in full-year adjusted earnings per share, reflecting soft consumer demand. To counter these challenges, the company is greatly expanding its use of artificial intelligence tools. Home Depot is collaborating with Google Cloud's Gemini models and Rilla’s real-time coaching tools to improve customer service and operational efficiency. These AI initiatives, including upgrades to Magic Apron, aim to boost productivity and delivery logistics. Despite two years of lagging sales, the company projects $182.4 billion in revenue and $17.4 billion in earnings by 2028.

InterDigital poised for big gains in AI market

InterDigital, a technology company, shows impressive growth due to increasing demand from AI applications. The company focuses on innovating and licensing its technologies, especially in areas like video compression. Mobile data traffic is projected to triple by 2027 to over 280 billion gigabytes, greatly benefiting InterDigital's licensed products. Its key growth areas include content and cloud services, which are seeing double-digit annual growth and will benefit most from AI adoption. InterDigital aims to reach $1 billion in yearly recurring revenue by 2030, despite analyst forecasts of a temporary earnings decline in 2026.

Marvell Technology offers great value in AI chips

While Micron Technology is a strong value pick in AI, Marvell Technology also stands out as a bargain buy. Marvell Technology designs custom AI processors and networking chips, which are in high demand from several major tech companies. The company saw its revenue jump 51 percent to nearly $6 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2026. Marvell's forward earnings multiple of 23 is lower than the Nasdaq-100 index's multiple of 26, making it an attractive investment. This strong growth and reasonable valuation make Marvell Technology a solid choice for investors in the AI sector.

Sources

• Database management firm ClickHouse valued at $15 billion amid AI boom
• ClickHouse Lands $15 Billion Valuation in AI Database Race
• Why the Next Phase of the AI Boom Could Favor This Stock
• Radware (RDWR) Valuation Check After ZombieAgent AI Security Discovery
• Semiconductor ETFs climb sharply on AI trade, beating S&P 500 in afternoon trading
• BigBear.ai (BBAI) Stock Updates: Acquisition, Debt Conversion And New Partnerships Explained
• 5 AI Chip Stocks Most Exposed to Trump's New 25% Tariff
• Can Home Depot’s (HD) AI Push Offset Softer Same-Store Sales and a Weaker Earnings Outlook?
• Why InterDigital Could Be a Huge AI Winner That Investors Ignore at Their Peril
• This Artificial Intelligence Stock Is a Terrific Bargain Buy in 2026 (Hint: It's Not Micron)