TSMC (NYSE: TSM), the world's largest and most advanced contract chipmaker, might not initially seem like a high-growth artificial intelligence (AI) stock. Yet over the past five years, its shares have rallied by more than 170% as AI chipmakers lined up to use its plants. Let's see why it could still be one of the best AI stocks hiding in plain sight for 2026 and beyond. Why is TSMC a top AI stock? TSMC, based in Taiwan and operating plants in other countries, manufactures the world's smallest, densest, ...

Core Insights - Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ:AMD) is recognized as a top machine learning stock, with expectations for its data center chip business to grow and challenge NVIDIA's market share [1] - AMD's Q4 2025 results exceeded expectations, with sales growing 34% to $10.3 billion and adjusted EPS of $1.53, surpassing the consensus of $1.32 by 16% [2] Financial Performance - Q4 sales of AMD reached $10.3 billion, exceeding Bloomberg's average estimate of $9.7 billion [2] - The data center segment reported sales of $5.38 billion, a 39% year-over-year increase, and exceeded expectations by 8% [3] - Personal Computer-related sales were $3.1 billion, reflecting a 34% year-over-year growth and surpassing estimates by 7% [3] Future Guidance - For Q1 2026, AMD guided revenue between $9.5 billion and $10.1 billion, with an average of $9.8 billion, which is above street estimates of $9.39 billion [4] - Analysts had higher expectations for revenue, projecting it to exceed $10 billion due to increased artificial intelligence spending, leading to some disappointment with the guidance [4] Strategic Focus - AMD plans to release powerful chip designs in the second half of the year, including the AI accelerator MI450, which is seen as a pivotal moment for the company [5] - The CEO, Dr. Lisa Su, expressed confidence in continued growth and strong demand, addressing concerns about component shortages [5] Analyst Sentiment - Following the results, over 80% of analysts remain bullish on AMD, with a consensus 1-year median price target of $300, indicating a potential upside of nearly 41% [6]

Spending on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure is poised to remain robust in the coming years, with McKinsey estimating a whopping $7 trillion will be spent on data centers by 2030 to build enough computing power to support workloads in the cloud. There are several ways you can take advantage of the massive AI infrastructure opportunity during this decade. From Nvidia to Broadcom to Micron Technology, investors are spoilt for choice to capitalize on booming AI spending on data centers. However, n ...

Core Insights - Broadcom has established a strong position in both semiconductor and software sectors, benefiting from high-margin chips and long-term enterprise software relationships, creating a competitive advantage in networking and custom silicon [1][2]. Financial Performance - Broadcom reported record quarterly revenue of $18 billion, a 28% year-over-year increase, with AI semiconductor revenue surging 74% annually [11][12]. - For the full fiscal year, adjusted EBITDA reached a record $43 billion, and free cash flow was robust at $26.9 billion, with cash and equivalents rising to $16.2 billion [13]. - The company raised its quarterly dividend by 10% to $0.65 per share for fiscal 2026, marking a 15-year streak of dividend increases [9][10]. Market Position and Growth - Broadcom's AI-related backlog exceeds $73 billion, with significant orders from major clients like Google and Anthropic, indicating strong demand for its products [14][15]. - The company expects AI semiconductor revenue to double annually to $8.2 billion in Q1 fiscal 2026, with total revenue forecasted at $19.1 billion [16]. Analyst Sentiment - UBS has reaffirmed a "Buy" rating for Broadcom, with a price target of $475, citing accelerating demand for its TPU portfolio [20]. - Analysts predict Broadcom's AI revenue could reach approximately $60 billion in fiscal 2026, with significant contributions from Google [21]. Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, Broadcom's stock has surged nearly 47%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 Index [7]. - The stock trades at a premium valuation of around 39.55 times forward earnings, reflecting confidence in its growth and earnings visibility [8].

Group 1: Company Overview - AMD is rated as a "Buy" with a target price of $300, indicating a potential upside of 40.47% from the current price of $213.57[5] - The company has a market capitalization of $348.2 billion, with a 52-week high of $267.08 and a low of $76.48[5] Group 2: Financial Performance - In Q4 2025, AMD reported revenue of $10.27 billion, a year-over-year increase of 34.1%, surpassing Bloomberg's consensus estimate of $9.65 billion[7] - The gross margin for Q4 2025 was 54.3%, up by 3.6 percentage points year-over-year, while operating profit reached $1.75 billion, a 101.1% increase[7] - Non-GAAP net profit for Q4 2025 was $2.52 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 41.8%[7] Group 3: Future Projections - AMD's revenue guidance for Q1 2026 is set at $9.8 billion, which includes $100 million from MI308 sales in China, representing a year-over-year increase of 32.4%[7] - The company anticipates a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 60% for its data center business over the next 3-5 years, with AI business revenues expected to reach hundreds of billions by 2027[8] Group 4: Market Share and Product Development - AMD's client segment revenue grew by 33.9% to $3.1 billion, with desktop and laptop market shares at 33.6% and 21.9%, respectively[9] - The company plans to launch a more extensive AI PC product line this year, following the successful release of the Ryzen AI 400 mobile processors[9] Group 5: Risks and Challenges - Potential risks include slower-than-expected sales of AI acceleration chips, lower-than-expected growth in PC market share, and challenges in the recovery of gaming and embedded businesses[12]

Core Insights - Runway, an AI video company, has shifted its focus to world models and has secured significant investment from Nvidia and AMD, indicating strong industry confidence in its new direction [1][2][12]. Company Overview - Runway was founded in 2018 by three art students and has undergone two major transformations, leading to a current valuation of $5.3 billion with only 140 employees [1][4]. - The company initially focused on video editing tools, gaining traction with its "green screen" feature, which led to early funding rounds totaling $200 million [6][8]. Recent Developments - Runway completed its Series E funding round, raising $315 million (approximately 2.17 billion RMB) to develop the next generation of world models [2][4]. - The latest funding round was led by General Atlantic, with participation from Nvidia and AMD, reflecting a strong belief in Runway's potential [2][12]. Valuation Growth - Following the recent funding, Runway's post-money valuation nearly doubled to $5.3 billion (approximately 36.58 billion RMB) [4][12]. - The company has seen a steady increase in valuation through its strategic pivots, particularly its entry into generative AI following the launch of ChatGPT [6][8]. Product Evolution - Runway's product evolution includes the introduction of the Gen-1 and Gen-2 models, with Gen-2 being the first commercially viable text-to-video model [8][10]. - The company has recently launched the GWM-1 (General World Models-1), which allows for interactive control and real-time image generation, marking a significant advancement in its technology [10][12]. Industry Context - The world model technology is gaining traction across various sectors, including autonomous driving, with companies like Tesla and Waymo developing their own models [13][17][22]. - Nvidia's investments in Runway and other companies utilizing world models highlight the growing importance of this technology in the AI landscape [12][22].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the significant challenge of ecological barriers faced by domestic GPU companies in China, which goes beyond hardware performance and capital market achievements [1] - The current global GPU market is dominated by Nvidia and AMD, whose competitive advantage has shifted from hardware specifications to software and ecosystem development [1] - The article highlights the importance of building a robust ecosystem that requires deep understanding of developer needs, continuous improvement of the toolchain experience, and long-term community cultivation [2] Group 1: Ecological Barriers - Domestic GPU manufacturers are adopting a "compatible ecosystem" strategy to quickly enter the market, but this may lead to a long-term dependency on existing ecosystems, hindering the development of unique competitive advantages [2] - The construction of an ecosystem is a slow process that tests patience, capital, and foresight, requiring solid technical foundations and ongoing support from investors [2] Group 2: Industry Constraints and Capital Challenges - Domestic GPU companies face multiple constraints from the industry foundation, including limitations in advanced manufacturing processes, core IP self-sufficiency, and challenges in advanced packaging technologies [3] - The high investment nature of the GPU industry makes it a "capital endurance battle," with companies like Wallen Technology investing 85% of their IPO proceeds into R&D [3] - The financial performance of domestic GPU companies often shows strong revenue growth but delayed profitability, reflecting the industry's inherent characteristics [3] Group 3: Market Survival and Competition - The current growth of domestic GPUs is largely driven by policy support and specific replacement demands, but true commercial success requires navigating a fully market-driven and competitive landscape [4] - The ultimate test for domestic GPUs lies in their ability to support large-scale AI models, run top-tier games, and provide reliable services in high-precision industrial simulations and life sciences [4] Group 4: Investment Value Reevaluation - Investors are advised to maintain a rational perspective on the GPU sector, focusing on actual penetration rates, order visibility, and the quality of revenue growth [7] - Key mid-term indicators include breakthroughs in core architecture, the robustness of the software ecosystem, and clarity in profitability pathways [7] - Long-term success will depend on the ability to create a globally influential development platform and transition from a technology follower to a rule-maker [7] Group 5: Strategic Importance of GPU Development - The evolution of GPUs represents a strategic contest for control over foundational infrastructure and standards in the intelligent era, with significant implications for China's technological competitiveness [9] - The collective efforts of domestic GPU companies are seen as a crucial expedition that aligns with national expectations and industrial missions [9] - The journey towards establishing a self-sufficient GPU industry is expected to be challenging yet rewarding, with the potential to reshape the global computing landscape [10]

Core Insights - Intel's next-generation Nova Lake processors are set to utilize TSMC's N2 process technology, featuring a base configuration of 8 P-cores and 16 E-cores, with a die size significantly larger than AMD's competitors [1][6] - The standard Nova Lake chip's die size is approximately 55% larger than AMD's Zen 5 CCD and about 44% larger than Zen 6 CCD [1][6] Processor Configuration - Both desktop and mobile versions of Nova Lake will adopt the 8P+16E base configuration, with options for entry-level and mainstream markets featuring 4P+8E configurations by disabling some cores [2][7] - Nova Lake will incorporate P-cores based on the Coyote Cove architecture and E-cores based on the Arctic Wolf architecture, with each cluster of P-cores containing 4MB of L2 cache [2][8] Dual Chip Design - Intel plans to introduce a flagship model with dual compute chips totaling 52 cores, with a standard dual-chip version's die size around 220mm² and a bLLC large cache version nearing 300mm², offering up to 288MB of L3 cache and a total cache size of 320MB [3][8] - The thermal design power (TDP) for these models will increase to 175W [3][8] Packaging and Compatibility - Despite the increased die size, all SKUs will utilize the same packaging and LGA1954 socket [3][9] - The bLLC technology differs from AMD's X3D stacking technology, and while Intel has similar additional cache technologies, they are not applied in Nova Lake [5][9]

Group 1: Semiconductor Tariffs - The U.S. has initiated a "tariff war" in the semiconductor sector, which is not solely aimed at China but reflects broader ambitions [3][10] - Starting from August 2025, the U.S. plans to impose nearly 100% tariffs on all imported semiconductors, with exemptions for companies that build factories in the U.S. [3][5] - By January 2026, tariffs of 25% will be applied to advanced computing chips from companies like NVIDIA and AMD, with a 100% tariff threat on storage chips unless produced domestically [5][10] Group 2: Impact on Allies and Global Market - Major South Korean companies, Samsung and SK Hynix, controlling nearly 70% of the DRAM market, face existential threats from U.S. tariffs [5][12] - Taiwan's semiconductor firms are pressured to invest at least $250 billion in the U.S. to secure trade benefits, totaling $500 billion in commitments [7][8] - The U.S. semiconductor tariff strategy is causing significant financial strain on European and Asian semiconductor companies, with losses linked to the loss of the Chinese market [12][22] Group 3: Energy Control and Geopolitical Maneuvering - The U.S. aims to control global energy transport routes, with recent actions including claims over the Panama Canal and aggressive moves in the Caribbean [14][16] - The U.S. has been seizing Venezuelan oil tankers, disregarding national sovereignty, and is focused on controlling critical energy pipelines in Europe [16][18] - The U.S. is leveraging energy supply chains to force countries like India and European nations to purchase American liquefied natural gas at higher prices [20][22] Group 4: Humanitarian Aid and Global Order - The U.S. has dismantled key humanitarian aid institutions, leading to a significant loss of support for millions globally, particularly in impoverished regions [24][26] - The closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development has resulted in a predicted additional 9.4 million deaths by 2030 due to reduced aid [26][28] - The U.S. is criticized for undermining global humanitarian efforts while simultaneously promoting a "rules-based international order" that serves its interests [30][32] Group 5: Long-term Consequences - The U.S. strategy of imposing tariffs and controlling energy routes is seen as a short-term gain that could lead to long-term global instability [35][37] - The actions taken by the U.S. are not only affecting China but also harming its allies and many other countries, leading to a potential backlash against American policies [35][37]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of identifying high-potential investment opportunities before they experience significant growth, focusing on asymmetric opportunities with a potential upside of 3-5 times the downside risk [1] Investment Strategy - The investment approach prioritizes leveraging market inefficiencies and contrarian insights to maximize long-term compounding while safeguarding against capital impairment [1] - A strong margin of safety is sought to protect against capital impairment, ensuring that risk management is a key component of the investment strategy [1] - The investment horizon is set at 2-3 years, allowing the company to endure market volatility and emphasizing the importance of patience, discipline, and intelligent capital allocation for achieving substantial returns over time [1]