Coronavirus crisis-induced work-and-learn-from-home necessity led growth in demand for cloud services has compelled data center operators to bolster their cloud-storage capacities. This has bolstered chip demand from data center operators.
In fact, semiconductor companies, including Intel INTC, Advanced Micro Devices AMD, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited TSM, delivered blockbuster performance in the second quarter driven by strength in data center vertical.
Moreover, momentum in high performance computing (HPC) applications, gaming, wearables, drones and VR/AR devices due to the coronavirus crisis, which has led to increase in usage of online services globally, is fueling massive growth in the semiconductor space.
Further, evolution of semiconductor manufacturing processes from 10 nanometer (nm) to 7 nm and even 5 nm technology is opening new business avenues. The accelerated deployment of 5G technology is anticipated to spur further growth. Additionally, improvements in DRAM and NAND pricing are acting as tailwinds for semiconductor stocks catering to memory market.
Also, spike in worldwide sales of semiconductors buoys optimism. Notably, per data from The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), global semiconductor industry sales were $103.6 billion in second-quarter 2020, up 5.1% on a year-over-year basis. According to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) data, annual global semiconductor sales are expected to witness growth of 3.3% and 6.2% in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
The optimism surrounding semiconductor stocks can also be ascertained by the robust performance of iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) on a year-to-date basis, which has rallied 20.6% compared with the SPDR S&P 500 ETF’s (SPY) rise of 5%. Further, SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD), which tracks the S&P Semiconductor Select Industry Index, has gained 18.8% year to date.
Considering growth prospects of the chip makers driven by data center boom and HPC push, it makes sense to invest for long-term gains. Here, we have shortlisted four stocks that are incredible for investing at the moment.
Our Picks
Advanced Energy Industries AEIS is benefiting from strong momentum across semiconductor equipment, data center, and industrial and medical verticals. Also, strengthening momentum across hyperscale customers is driving the company’s Data Center Computing revenues.
Moreover, synergies from Artesyn Embedded Power buyout and deep engineering capabilities in the data center market are expected to aid the company in sustaining momentum in the telecom and data center space.
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. Price and Consensus
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. Quote
Rising investments in foundry/logic and NAND memory is a major positive. Further, solid demand for critical care medical devices is a tailwind for this Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) company. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2020 earnings has been revised upward by 38.3% in the past 60 days to $3.83 per share.
Micron MU is gaining from solid memory-chip demand from data-center operators as more and more workers and students work and learn from home amid coronavirus-led social distancing measures adopted globally.
Furthermore, it is well poised to benefit from the resurgence in DRAM demand, backed by a progress in customer inventory adjustments in the cloud, graphics and the PC markets. Increasing mix of high-value solutions, enhancement in customer engagement and improvement in cost structure are positives.
Micron Technology, Inc. Price and Consensus
Micron Technology, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Micron Technology, Inc. Quote
Growing demand from cloud-computing providers and acceleration in 5G adoption are also contributing to the performance of this Zacks Rank #2 company.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2020 earnings has been revised upward by 12.3% in the past 60 days to $2.73 per share.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest chip foundry, is gaining from strong momentum in data center chips and 5G infrastructure products.
Strength in the company’s 5 nm and 7 nm technologies is bolstering performance across 5G smartphone, HPC and Internet of Things verticals.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. Price and Consensus
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. price-consensus-chart | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. Quote
Deal wins from NXP and AMD remain noteworthy. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
The consensus mark of $3.14 per share for 2020 earnings has been revised upward by 12.1% in the past 60 days.
Analog Devices ADI offers robust power protection, optical network control, sensor and connectivity infrastructure and DC-DC power conversion solutions utilized in high density servers, storage and networking equipment, which enable data center operators to boost efficiency.
Further, growing power design wins are major positives for this Zacks Rank #2 company. Notably, it has inked deal to acquire Maxim Integrated Products MXIM. The deal is expected to drive Analog Devices’ growth across several emerging markets.
Analog Devices, Inc. Price and Consensus
Analog Devices, Inc. price-consensus-chart | Analog Devices, Inc. Quote
Additionally, rising adoption of advanced radio systems in 5G infrastructures is driving growth of the company’s communication business. It remains optimistic about growth opportunities related to 5G.
The consensus mark of $4.68 per share for fiscal 2020 earnings has been revised upward by 9.6% over the past 60 days.
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