Nvidia designs chips as Amazon plans AI investment

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) continues to dominate the artificial intelligence chip market, holding an impressive 99% share for AI server compute and custom AI processors. Major technology firms like Nvidia and Google rely on TSMC to produce their advanced chip designs. The company reported robust financial performance, with revenue growing 36% in 2025 to $122.4 billion and earnings per share increasing by 51%. This strong growth trajectory positions TSMC to capitalize on the projected surge in AI chip sales, which analysts expect to exceed $550 billion by 2028.

Despite the growth in AI hardware, market sentiment reflects significant anxiety regarding AI's disruptive potential. In February 2026, mentions of AI risk on corporate earnings calls nearly doubled, leading investors to sell stocks of companies perceived as vulnerable. Short sellers are actively betting against European firms at risk, causing a basket of these stocks to drop 40% in the past year. This market reaction is overshadowing strong current financial performance, as seen with the S&P 500's 12% earnings growth in the fourth quarter.

Big tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon are navigating these AI-driven shifts. Microsoft faces pressures on its cloud services and the adoption of its Copilot tool, alongside intense competition in cloud pricing and uncertain returns from AI infrastructure investments. While its stock is considered slightly undervalued at around $443.7 per share, high risks suggest a "hold" recommendation. Amazon, meanwhile, has seen its stock fall 14% this year, experiencing its longest losing streak since 2006. Investors are concerned about its plan to spend $200 billion on AI, though CEO Andy Jassy remains confident in long-term returns. Analysts still view Amazon as undervalued, with a median target price of $285.

In the broader investment landscape, Bank of America analysts highlight AI as a central theme for 2026, noting opportunities in cloud technology and large language model builders. Citi analysts also identify buying opportunities in software stocks, including Microsoft, Dynatrace, Cloudflare, and Rubrik, believing they are well-prepared for AI scenarios despite the recent selloff. Meanwhile, in the memory chip sector, Sandisk has significantly outperformed Micron, with a 1,220% jump in six months, largely due to the faster price increases in NAND flash storage chips compared to DRAM.

Key Takeaways

  • TSMC holds 99% of the AI server compute and custom AI processor market, with Nvidia and Google as key clients.
  • TSMC's revenue grew 36% in 2025 to $122.4 billion, and its January 2026 revenue increased almost 37% year-over-year.
  • Market anxiety over AI disruption is causing investors to sell stocks of perceived vulnerable companies, despite strong S&P 500 earnings growth.
  • Microsoft faces pressures on its cloud services and Copilot adoption due to AI changes, with high risks suggesting a "hold" rating despite being slightly undervalued.
  • Amazon's stock experienced its longest losing streak since 2006, with investor concerns over its $200 billion AI spending plan, though analysts see it as undervalued.
  • Bank of America identifies AI as a key investment theme for 2026, particularly in cloud technology and large language model development.
  • Citi analysts see buying opportunities in software stocks like Microsoft, Dynatrace, Cloudflare, and Rubrik, believing they are well-prepared for AI.
  • Sandisk significantly outperformed Micron, with a 1,220% stock jump in six months, driven by faster price increases in NAND flash storage chips for AI.
  • CrowdStrike received an HSBC upgrade to Buy, recognizing its AI-driven security platform, despite recent short-term stock declines.
  • Analysts predict AI chip sales could reach over $550 billion by 2028, highlighting the significant growth potential in the sector.

TSMC leads AI chip manufacturing market

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing TSMC is a leading company in making chips for artificial intelligence. It holds 99% of the market share for AI server compute and custom AI processors. Major companies like Nvidia and Google depend on TSMC to produce their chip designs. TSMC's revenue grew 36% in 2025 to $122.4 billion, and its earnings per share increased by 51%. The company started 2026 strong, with January revenue up almost 37% from the previous year. This growth positions TSMC to benefit from the expected increase in AI chip sales to over $550 billion by 2028.

TSMC dominates AI chip production

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing TSMC is a key leader in making chips for artificial intelligence. The company reportedly controls 99% of the market for AI server compute and custom AI processors. Big tech firms like Nvidia and Google rely on TSMC to fabricate their chip designs. TSMC's revenue increased 36% in 2025 to $122.4 billion, and earnings per share rose 51%. Its January 2026 revenue grew almost 37% from 2025, suggesting it will surpass its 30% growth target. Analysts predict AI chip sales could reach over $550 billion by 2028, making TSMC a strong investment.

AI fears cause investors to sell stocks

In February 2026, the threat of artificial intelligence disruption is a major topic on corporate earnings calls. Mentions of AI risk have nearly doubled compared to the previous quarter. Investors are selling stocks of companies they believe are vulnerable to AI, despite strong fourth quarter S&P 500 earnings growth of 12%. Short sellers are actively betting against European companies at risk from AI, causing a UBS basket of these stocks to fall 40% in the past year. This shows that market anxiety about AI's impact is overshadowing current financial performance.

CrowdStrike stock gets HSBC upgrade

CrowdStrike CRWD is gaining attention after HSBC upgraded its rating to Buy, showing new confidence in its cloud-native, AI-driven security platform. The stock recently saw a 4.4% increase in one day and an 8.63% rise over seven days. However, its share price declined 5.34% over the last 30 days and 18.9% over 90 days. While one valuation method suggests CrowdStrike is 32.5% overvalued at $324.30, a Discounted Cash Flow model indicates it is 20.5% undervalued at $540.17 per share. The company's subscription revenues remain strong, making up 94.3% of its total revenues in Q2 2024.

Microsoft faces AI challenges and risks

Microsoft is a strong company, but changes driven by artificial intelligence are putting pressure on its business. These pressures affect its cloud services, the adoption of its Copilot tool, and its established markets. Key risks include tough competition in cloud pricing and uncertain returns from spending on AI infrastructure. There is also a chance that new development tools could reduce the value of its productivity software. The article suggests Microsoft stock is slightly undervalued at about $443.7 per share, but the high risks mean investors should hold rather than buy.

Bank of America lists top 10 investment themes

Bank of America analysts shared 10 important investment themes for 2026, looking beyond just artificial intelligence. They expect a rise in mergers and acquisitions, which will help banking, biotech, and media industries. The AI industry is in the middle of its growth, creating opportunities in cloud technology and large language model builders. Strong US manufacturing will also boost industrial companies, while increased global defense spending benefits major contractors like Northrop Grumman. New GLP-1 weight-loss pills are expected to impact pharmacy benefit managers, food companies, restaurants, and medical device makers. Additionally, tax refunds will likely increase consumer spending, and AI will influence energy affordability and commercial real estate supply.

Amazon stock sees longest losing streak since 2006

Amazon stock has fallen 14% this year and experienced its longest losing streak since July 2006, dropping for nine straight trading sessions. Historically, after its 2006 streak, the stock soared 128% in the following year. Wall Street analysts now consider Amazon undervalued, with a median target price of $285, suggesting a 43% increase from its current $199 price. Investors worry about the company's plan to spend $200 billion on artificial intelligence. However, CEO Andy Jassy believes these AI investments will bring strong long-term returns. Amazon's fourth quarter revenue grew 14% to $213 billion, boosted by strong performance in e-commerce, advertising, and Amazon Web Services AWS.

Analysts find AI buying chances after software selloff

Citi analysts see new buying opportunities in software stocks following a recent selloff driven by fears of AI disruption. They believe companies such as Dynatrace, Microsoft, Cloudflare, and Rubrik are well-prepared for any AI scenario. Citi argues that the market is reacting to uncertainty about AI's impact on business models, not to a decline in current company performance. Separately, Barclays upgraded Analog Devices to Overweight, expecting the chipmaker to benefit from a recovery in industrial demand and growth in data centers. However, Barclays also warned that the fast selloff targeting companies perceived as AI losers could continue.

Sandisk outperforms Micron in AI memory market

Sandisk stock has greatly outperformed Micron Technology in the last six months, with a 1,220% jump compared to Micron's 222%. Both companies operate in the memory industry, but they focus on different types of chips. Micron mainly produces DRAM chips, while Sandisk specializes in non-volatile NAND flash storage chips. NAND flash storage prices are increasing much faster than DRAM prices, with solid-state drives SSDs seeing triple-digit price increases. This market difference explains Sandisk's faster earnings growth and makes it a potentially better investment than Micron for artificial intelligence.

Sources

NOTE:

This news brief was generated using AI technology (including, but not limited to, Google Gemini API, Llama, Grok, and Mistral) from aggregated news articles, with minimal to no human editing/review. It is provided for informational purposes only and may contain inaccuracies or biases. This is not financial, investment, or professional advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please verify all information with the linked original articles in the Sources section below.

AI Chip Manufacturing AI Processors Semiconductor Industry TSMC Nvidia Google AI Disruption Investor Sentiment Stock Market CrowdStrike AI-driven Security Cloud Security Microsoft AI Infrastructure Cloud Services Copilot Large Language Models Amazon AWS AI Investments Software Industry Data Centers AI Memory NAND Flash Storage DRAM Chips Sandisk Micron Technology Cybersecurity Investment Themes Market Trends

Comments

Loading...