Shares in chipmakers underpinning AI boom rocket in first half of 2026
Summary
Chipmaker companies’ stock prices have risen sharply in the first half of 2026 due to increased demand for the semiconductors needed for artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This rise has boosted markets in Asia and the US, while some large software companies have seen their shares drop.Key Facts
- Semiconductor and memory chip makers have seen profits and share prices soar in 2026.
- South Korea’s Kospi index rose 123%, helped by Samsung (up 169%) and SK Hynix (up 303%).
- US chip companies like Sandisk, Western Digital, Micron, and Seagate experienced huge gains, with Sandisk up 780% this year.
- High demand for chips to power AI data centers has driven prices and stock values upwards.
- Apple reported higher iPad and MacBook prices partly due to rising memory chip costs.
- Shares of major AI software companies like Microsoft have fallen as investors shift money into chipmakers.
- Some signs show the chip stock boom might be slowing as investors take profits and move out of tech stocks.
- Global stock markets generally gained in the first half of 2026, with Japan’s Nikkei up 38% and the US S&P 500 up 7.4%.
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