Berkshire Triples Its Google Bet: SOXL Still Worth The Risk, But Risks Make It A Hold

I rate the SOXL ETF a HOLD after a major bull run, arguing it now trades at stretched valuations (average P/E ratio of its underlying index of ~70x). SOXL offers pure-play leveraged exposure to semiconductor stocks, benefiting from the AI race but amplifying volatility and timing risks. It is a high-risk, high-reward bet. Lots could go wrong from today's stretched valuations. Including new AI chip entrants, efficiency gains reducing compute demand, and a potential energy crisis constraining data center growth.

Seeking Alpha • 20 hours ago

Imec CEO calls for stronger AI design push in EU's Chips Act

Europe should aim to create home-grown AI chip design companies, the new head of Belgian research hub imec said on Tuesday, as ​Brussels prepares a package of measures dubbed Chips Act 2.0.

Reuters • May 19, 2026

SaaS-pocalypse Reversal? AI Memory Chips Slide, Software Finds Strength

In a reversal from the SaaS-pocalypse, software is finding strength while AI memory names like Micron (MU) and SanDisk (SNDK) are selling off. Kevin Hincks explains how this all plays into the big picture for tech as Nvidia (NVDA) readies to report earnings Wednesday.

The Tech Download: Trump's China visit left chip export issue unresolved, with rare earths deal still uncertain

Chip export controls were not discussed during Trump-Xi talks, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday. Critical minerals and market access for U.S. tech companies were expected to be key points of discussion at the Trump-Xi summit.

CNBC • May 15, 2026

JP Morgan sees semiconductor sector in 'sweet spot' as inventory levels signal upcycle

JP Morgan has declared the European semiconductor sector to be in a sweet spot, with inventory levels pointing to conditions conducive to an upcycle and no indication of near-term risks beyond broader macroeconomic uncertainty. The bank's quarterly inventory review found that semiconductor inventory rose 3.9% quarter on quarter in absolute terms during the first quarter of 2026, reaching 149 days compared with 139 days at the end of the fourth quarter and 138 days at the end of the third quarter.

Proactive Investors • May 15, 2026

US Chip Sector Needs More Talent, Says SEMI

President Trump says he discussed guardrails on AI and Nvidia's H200 chips with Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a two-day summit in Beijing. Shari Liss, vice president of global workforce development and initiatives at SEMI, joins Bloomberg's Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow on "Bloomberg Tech" to discuss what this means for the US semiconductor sector.

Bloomberg Technology • May 15, 2026

Chip export controls not major topic in China talks, US trade rep Greer tells Bloomberg News

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Bloomberg TV in an interview on Friday that U.S. export controls ‌on semiconductor chips were not a major topic of discussions with Chinese officials in Beijing.

Reuters • May 15, 2026

SanDisk Up 558% This Year as Chip Stocks Outpace the 1999 Dot-Com Bubble

The semiconductor sector has entered territory the Wall Street Journal is now calling “the great chip stock melt-up of 2026.

24/7 Wall Street • May 13, 2026

Top Performing Leveraged/Inverse ETFs: 05/10/2026

Top Performing Leveraged/Inverse ETFs Last Week These were last week's top performing leveraged and inverse ETFs. Note that because of leverage, these kinds of funds can move quickly.

ETF Trends • May 12, 2026

New futures market for semiconductors comes as AI drives costs skyward

CME Group and Silicon Data are launching a futures exchange for computing capacity. Contracts will be based on daily GPU benchmarks for on-demand rental rates.

CNBC • May 12, 2026