There is much talk about semiconductor stocks hobbling amid several challenges. However, to better understand why the semiconductor supply chain is being clobbered, it makes sense to understand how delicately the semiconductor supply chain works. Once that is clear, it will be easier to see why the global chip supply chains are braced for further disruptions.
A Brief Look into the Supply ChainThe global semiconductor network is an intricate system where each link holds the entire chain together, forming the backbone of the expanding digital economy. Simply put, chip designing is carried out by fabless semiconductor companies like Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), Advanced Micro (NASDAQ:AMD), and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), which then outsource their manufacturing to partner foundries in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, where silicon wafers are processed, assembled, and sent back to the companies.
These chips are then sent to original equipment manufacturers in China and elsewhere, where they are integrated into technologies such as smartphones, computers, servers, data centers, memory storage, industrial and consumer electronics, automobiles, and wired/wireless infrastructure.
As simple as this looks, each major step involves several processes, which are carried out at different facilities. The reason the entire chain is so widespread is due to the concentration of skilled or cheap labor and infrastructure in various parts of the world. The semiconductor sector is somewhat oligopolistic, meaning certain regions and companies dominate different sections of the vast value chain, making the entire chain globally interconnected.
The Global Chip Supply Chain Pain and China’s Role in ItThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic began with lockdowns in China, putting an abrupt restriction on China’s semiconductor trade with the rest of the world.
Simultaneously, automakers around the world, anticipating a drop in car sales, suspended large volumes of production. This weighed on chip demand as the auto sector is one of the biggest markets for semiconductors.
Now, as China continues to grapple with one COVID-19 surge after another, the country recently shut down the Huaqiangbei district, which held the world’s largest wholesale electronic market, as part of its zero-COVID-19 policy.
Not only that, the weakening demand for PCs due to prolonged periods of delays and cancellations in supply is an added pressure on global chip demand.
High interest rates and input costs are making the chip-making process all the more difficult, a trend that is expected to continue for some more time. This will not only exacerbate the global chip shortage but will also contribute to the global economic slowdown that the world is so worried about.
Evidently, the U.S. imposing restrictions on chip exports to China is like loosening a key link in the entire semiconductor value chain. The U.S. is worried about China’s growing efforts to expand its influence on global economies.
To that end, China’s increasingly advanced economic espionage efforts prompted the Biden administration to up the ante in restricting chip sales to China, knowing how hard it would strangle the Chinese chip manufacturing industry, which is one of the largest in the world. This, in turn, will dent the revenues of industries all over the world that directly or indirectly depend on China’s chip manufacturing.
Conclusion: The World Will Adjust Sooner or LaterThe fragility and interconnectedness of the semiconductor value chain are making investors worry, and rightly so. This is not just another country’s industry that has been restricted, but the second largest economy and one of the three biggest chip manufacturing countries of the world.
However, it is true that attempts by China to take over as the world’s largest superpower by dominating the backbone of the digital world will most likely be thwarted in the immediate future. This will force chip markets in other economies to expand.
Also, over the long term, the U.S. will likely successfully cut its dependency on China for manufacturing and sales, making American chip giants self-sufficient in a super-industry that has no way but to grow.
What do analysts think about these leading chip stocks? Learn more on TipRanks:
There is much talk about semiconductor stocks hobbling amid several challenges. However, to better understand why the semiconductor supply chain is being clobbered, it makes sense to understand how delicately the semiconductor supply chain works. Once that is clear, it will be easier to see why the global chip supply chains are braced for further disruptions.
A Brief Look into the Supply ChainThe global semiconductor network is an intricate system where each link holds the entire chain together, forming the backbone of the expanding digital economy. Simply put, chip designing is carried out by fabless semiconductor companies like Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), Advanced Micro (NASDAQ:AMD), and Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), which then outsource their manufacturing to partner foundries in China, Taiwan, and South Korea, where silicon wafers are processed, assembled, and sent back to the companies.
These chips are then sent to original equipment manufacturers in China and elsewhere, where they are integrated into technologies such as smartphones, computers, servers, data centers, memory storage, industrial and consumer electronics, automobiles, and wired/wireless infrastructure.
As simple as this looks, each major step involves several processes, which are carried out at different facilities. The reason the entire chain is so widespread is due to the concentration of skilled or cheap labor and infrastructure in various parts of the world. The semiconductor sector is somewhat oligopolistic, meaning certain regions and companies dominate different sections of the vast value chain, making the entire chain globally interconnected.
The Global Chip Supply Chain Pain and China’s Role in ItThe emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic began with lockdowns in China, putting an abrupt restriction on China’s semiconductor trade with the rest of the world.
Simultaneously, automakers around the world, anticipating a drop in car sales, suspended large volumes of production. This weighed on chip demand as the auto sector is one of the biggest markets for semiconductors.
Now, as China continues to grapple with one COVID-19 surge after another, the country recently shut down the Huaqiangbei district, which held the world’s largest wholesale electronic market, as part of its zero-COVID-19 policy.
Not only that, the weakening demand for PCs due to prolonged periods of delays and cancellations in supply is an added pressure on global chip demand.
High interest rates and input costs are making the chip-making process all the more difficult, a trend that is expected to continue for some more time. This will not only exacerbate the global chip shortage but will also contribute to the global economic slowdown that the world is so worried about.
Evidently, the U.S. imposing restrictions on chip exports to China is like loosening a key link in the entire semiconductor value chain. The U.S. is worried about China’s growing efforts to expand its influence on global economies.
To that end, China’s increasingly advanced economic espionage efforts prompted the Biden administration to up the ante in restricting chip sales to China, knowing how hard it would strangle the Chinese chip manufacturing industry, which is one of the largest in the world. This, in turn, will dent the revenues of industries all over the world that directly or indirectly depend on China’s chip manufacturing.
Conclusion: The World Will Adjust Sooner or LaterThe fragility and interconnectedness of the semiconductor value chain are making investors worry, and rightly so. This is not just another country’s industry that has been restricted, but the second largest economy and one of the three biggest chip manufacturing countries of the world.
However, it is true that attempts by China to take over as the world’s largest superpower by dominating the backbone of the digital world will most likely be thwarted in the immediate future. This will force chip markets in other economies to expand.
Also, over the long term, the U.S. will likely successfully cut its dependency on China for manufacturing and sales, making American chip giants self-sufficient in a super-industry that has no way but to grow.
Chip giant Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) has been one of this year's biggest casualties in the stock market, with its shares down more than 60% from their peak. Contrary to its stock performance, its fundamentals remain rock solid, with multiple long-term catalysts in play. Hence, we are bullish on AMD stock.
In recent years, it’s been growing at an aggressive pace. Revenues have shot up from $2 billion per quarter in 2019 to over $6 billion in the second quarter of 2022. Moreover, it has achieved remarkable quarterly results, beating analyst estimates by a healthy margin. In addition, its earnings per share have gone from a negative figure to $2.79 last year.
Advanced Micro Devices has also seen market share gains in client and server processors and niche markets such as gaming consoles. Moreover, investors have reaped the benefits of AMD's impressive top and bottom-line growth over the past five years. Despite the hiccups in its preliminary results, they continue to beat its benchmarks handsomely.
AMD's Robust Performances and Market Share GainsAMD's market share gains are helping offset the weakness in this PC sector. They've taken 8% more of its central processing unit (CPU) from rival Intel over last year, bringing its total up 31%. This is evidenced in its impressive financial results in the second quarter, where revenues rose by 70% while earnings per share grew 67%.
Many companies have cut back on their spending on new hardware. However, AMD's Client segment revenue increased by 25% from last year in the second quarter. It also saw strong growth in its Embedded segment, along with its Data Center businesses which grew by a whopping 83%.
Moreover, despite market headwinds, it is now selling more chipsets and processors with better performance. Also, its acquisition of businesses such as Xilinx has helped significantly grow its revenue base. Additionally, its Ryzen CPUs offer significant performance advantages over Intel's currently available chips, with savings of up to $100 compared to past models.
Chipmakers have been struggling to keep up with demand, yet there have been signs that these production challenges may abate over time due to increased inventory levels across all industries.
The massive growth of the data center and PC industries has allowed AMD to capture a large share in these sectors. The company's strong performance should continue, despite near-term macroeconomic challenges. Moreover, the acquisition of Xilinx will help AMD grow in areas such as AI and edge computing. This provides an opportunity for long-term success.
AMD Shows Strong Performance in the Gaming RealmThe video game console industry is a fast-growing market, and AMD has been supplying semi-custom chips to manufacturers like Microsoft, Sony, and Valve. Despite the decline in graphics card revenue, its gaming business grew by 32% year over year, reaching $1.7 billion in the second quarter.
In just five years, AMD's partnership with Sony and Microsoft could set it up for impressive long-term expansion. For instance, the PlayStation 5 is expected to hit 67 million units by 2024, up significantly from 17.9 million units last year. Meanwhile, Xbox series X may see 37 million more unit sales during this time compared to last year.
Analysts expect AMD to grow earnings by 27% over the next five years. Additionally, it reported $1.04 billion in cash at the end of the second quarter, and investors should take advantage before its stock price rebounds again!
What is a Fair Price for AMD Stock?Turning to Wall Street, AMD stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 20 Buys, seven Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months. The average AMD price target is $97.86, implying 72.2% upside potential. Analyst price targets range from a low of $65 per share to a high of $200 per share.
Takeaway: AMD Stock Investors Need to Think Long-TermAMD's long-term outlook is very favorable. Its stock has taken a hammering as of late and is a great buy at current levels. Nevertheless, investors need to be able to stomach the stock's short-term volatility to reap the long-term benefits. Shifting consumer spending patterns, lower demand for PC due to an oversupply of chips on the market, and supply chain disruptions have significantly impacted the industry. Nevertheless, investors should look past the temporary slump and focus on the long-term picture.
With Fortune Business Insights forecasting a compound annual growth rate of 12% through 2029 for the chip industry, it's not surprising that its latest numbers are consistent with what we've seen. In fact, an upcoming secular bull market in data centers and other segments should only help AMD'S position even more. Hence, the company looks well-positioned for long-term success.
Its valuation is significantly more attractive compared to historical levels. It trades at just 3.9 times forward sales, roughly 35% lower than its 5-year average. I expect the stock to shed more value in the current market environment. However, its current price is highly attractive and worth investing in.
At first glance, the narrative for tech stocks to buy appears discouraging, to say the least. While the benchmark S&P 500 (SPX) dropped by 25% on a year-to-date basis, the tech-centric Nasdaq Composite suffered more severely, shedding over 33% during the same period. Nevertheless, because this segment centers on forward innovations, it will likely command long-term relevance. Therefore, investors may want to consider two compelling tickers: ASML and AMD.
At the beginning of this year, many on Wall Street were hopeful that the equities sector could parlay 2021’s incredible joyride into another 365 days of massive upside. Unfortunately, the prior excesses stemming from unprecedented fiscal and monetary support – arguably necessary actions to mitigate the COVID-19 impact – caught up with the economy. Suddenly, skyrocketing inflation rapidly dominated mainstream headlines.
To combat this dilemma, the Federal Reserve implemented a hawkish pivot to its monetary policy, raising the benchmark interest rate to cool rising prices. However, inflationary cycles offered a robust (albeit cynical) catalyst for tech stocks to buy. With the dollar’s purchasing power declining, an active incentive existed for cash holders to do something with their money: either spend it or invest it. Otherwise, holding it will result in wealth erosion.
However, as purchasing power rises, the opposite scenario rings true. An incentive exists to do nothing with said dollars because apathy leads to wealth expansion. As largely risk-on assets, tech stocks to buy suffered as the Fed effectively raised borrowing costs.
Moreover, the latest jobs report for September indicated that the labor market came in hotter than expected. While usually a positive development, rising employment translates to more money chasing after few goods. This dynamic then exacerbates the inflationary headwind that the Fed is attempting to control. Therefore, more rate hikes could be on the way, boding poorly for tech stocks to buy - on paper.
Nevertheless, the underlying innovations of the tech sector should remain intriguing following the conclusion of the Fed’s hawkish pivot. Therefore, forward-looking contrarians may want to consider the below tickers.
ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML)Though perhaps not a household name, ASML fundamentally rates as one of the most important tech stocks to buy. Based in the Netherlands, ASML is the only company in the world manufacturing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. Essentially, lithography is the practice of printing small, complex designs on semiconductors. It’s no exaggeration to say that ASML undergirds the various conveniences people enjoy in digitally integrated societies.
Therefore, unless investors envision a future where semiconductors themselves are rendered obsolete, ASML appears a wise long-term bet for tech stocks to buy. Enticingly, many on Wall Street don’t share the optimistic perspective, with ASML stock slipping over 45% since the beginning of this year. This circumstance adds to the discounted narrative for the lithography specialist.
Financially, ASML features a good business profile. The company is well balanced, anchored by decent stability in its balance sheet. However, ASML comes alive on the income statement. For example, it features a three-year revenue growth rate of 20.9%, ranked better than 76% of the competition. As well, the company features a net margin of 28%, ranked higher than nearly 91% of the semiconductor industry.
Is ASML a Good Stock to Buy, According to Analysts?Turning to Wall Street, ASML stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on just two Buys. The average ASML price target is $652.00, implying 63.2% upside potential.
Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD)Specializing in graphics processing units, Advanced Micro Devices enjoyed a banner performance following the spring doldrums of 2020. Initially, AMD benefited from the hostage audience framework that the pandemic caused. With so many people stuck at home, the company effectively marketed its gaming-centric GPUs.
In 2021, the cryptocurrency took off, thus sparking unparalleled demand for crypto-mining equipment. With AMD’s processors undergirding the intense calculations necessary for blockchain-related functions, the company’s equity value skyrocketed. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. As virtual currencies tumbled since late 2021, AMD stock lost tremendous ground.
Year-to-date, shares have fallen a staggering 60%. To be clear, AMD does not represent an easy idea for tech stocks to buy. Nevertheless, with the company aggressively competing in relevant segments such as data centers, AMD may be a solid long-term idea.
Financially, AMD rates as a possible value trap in part due to the severe market losses it absorbed. However, the company features decent income statement performance metrics. For instance, its three-year revenue growth rate stands at 30%, ranking higher than 89% of its peers. As well, AMD enjoys stability in its balance sheet. Notably, its equity-to-asset ratio is 0.82x, better than the industry median of 0.6x.
Is AMD a Good Stock to Buy, According to Analysts?Turning to Wall Street, AMD stock has a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on 20 Buys, seven Holds, and one Sell rating. The average AMD price target is $97.86, implying 69.8% upside potential.
Conclusion: Smart Wagers for the DaringInvariably, the concept of buying tech stocks at this juncture will involve significant risk. With all that’s happened in the market, volatility is almost guaranteed. Nevertheless, innovation trends point toward greater integration of digitalization, not less. Therefore, both ASML and AMD offer solid market ideas with differing risk-reward profiles.