Yazılar

Apple Leads Global Tech Rally After Trump Tariff Exemptions

/in /tarafından

Global technology stocks surged Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his proposed 100% tariffs on chips and semiconductors would largely exempt companies manufacturing in, or committed to manufacturing in, the United States.

Apple shares rose 2%, recovering most of their losses since April’s Liberation Day selloff, after Trump confirmed the company will invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. operations — a move that could shield iPhones from potential tariffs. Semiconductor suppliers and Apple partners, including Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, GlobalFoundries, and Broadcom, gained between 1.3% and 5.5%. Other U.S.-listed chipmakers also rallied, with AMD up 3.1% and Nvidia up 1.4%.

European chipmakers joined the rally, with ASML and ASMI rising more than 3% each and BE Semiconductor Industries up 4.7%. J.P. Morgan analysts noted that the proposed 100% tariff would not stack on top of the 15% baseline tariff agreed between the U.S. and EU last week, which includes zero-for-zero tariffs on semiconductor equipment.

Taiwan’s TSMC, which produces chips for most major U.S. tech firms, saw its shares hit an all-time high after gaining nearly 5%, buoyed by investor confidence in AI demand regardless of tariff risk. South Korea’s Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, both with significant U.S. investments, rose 2.5% and 1.4%, respectively, after confirmation they would not face the 100% tariff.

However, not all markets benefited. The Philippines, where semiconductors account for 70% of electronics exports, warned the tariffs could be “devastating” and saw its stock market close slightly lower. Malaysia also requested clarity from U.S. trade officials on the tariff scope.

Nvidia’s Planned Major Expansion in Israel Sparks Wide Interest from Potential Sites

/in /tarafından

Nvidia, the world’s leading AI chipmaker and the first company to reach a $4 trillion valuation, is seeking to dramatically expand its operations in Israel to meet surging demand for AI data centers. The Santa Clara-based firm issued a request for information (RFI) this week to acquire land for a new campus near its existing facility in northern Israel, with the project expected to cost billions and generate thousands of jobs, according to multiple sources.

Nvidia entered the Israeli market in 2020 by acquiring Mellanox Technologies for nearly $7 billion. Its existing site is located in Yokne’am, a technology hub near Haifa. Nvidia declined to comment beyond confirming the RFI request.

One source, speaking anonymously, revealed that the company has received “dozens and dozens and dozens” of site offers from municipalities and other entities, many not near Haifa, reflecting broad local enthusiasm to host the expansion. The deadline for offers is July 23, with Nvidia planning a campus covering up to 180,000 square meters.

The Haifa municipality stated it is preparing a competitive offer, asserting it has the “best potential” for Nvidia’s new campus.

The planned expansion reflects a broader race among tech giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Tesla to build AI data centers and capture leadership in emerging AI technology. This surge is driving increased demand for Nvidia’s advanced processors.

Industry insiders emphasize Israel’s critical role in the AI era, making rapid expansion necessary for Nvidia. Since acquiring Mellanox, Nvidia’s Israeli operations have nearly tripled in size and reportedly contributed $13 billion in revenue last year, though the company has not publicly confirmed this figure.

In addition to acquisitions, Nvidia has built Israel’s most powerful AI supercomputer, which served as a blueprint for Elon Musk’s Colossus supercomputer. The company employs approximately 5,000 people in Israel.

Dror Bin, CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, described the planned campus as “massive,” potentially housing thousands of employees. He said Nvidia’s expansion signals a long-term commitment and strong confidence in Israel.

Nvidia’s expansion plans contrast with rival Intel, which has been present in Israel since 1974 and employs 9,350 workers but is currently implementing global workforce reductions. Reports suggest a few hundred Intel workers in Israel may be affected, though Intel declined to provide specific numbers.

Texas Instruments to Invest $60 Billion in U.S. Chip Manufacturing Amid Political Pressure

/in /tarafından

Texas Instruments (TI) announced plans on Wednesday to invest over $60 billion to expand its semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the United States. This move comes amid ongoing pressure from the Trump administration to reshore the country’s semiconductor supply chain.

The Biden administration finalized a $1.61 billion subsidy for TI in December to support the construction of three new facilities, part of the broader $52.7 billion CHIPS and Science Act. TI’s investment plan includes building or expanding seven chip-making plants across Texas and Utah, with two new sites planned in Sherman, Texas. The company said this investment would create 60,000 jobs, calling it the largest foundational semiconductor manufacturing investment in U.S. history.

TI expects to spend up to $40 billion on its Sherman operations and approximately $21 billion on facilities in Utah and other parts of Texas. While no exact timeline was provided, TI confirmed its long-term capital expenditure plans remain unchanged.

Unlike AI-focused chipmakers Nvidia and AMD, TI specializes in analog chips used in everyday electronics such as smartphones, cars, and medical devices. This gives TI a broad client base, including Apple, SpaceX, and Ford.

The $60 billion investment follows similar announcements from other semiconductor companies. For example, Micron recently revealed it would increase its U.S. investment by $30 billion, bringing its total planned spending to $200 billion.

Some analysts interpret these spending announcements as efforts to gain favor with former President Donald Trump, who has threatened to block the CHIPS Act funding and impose tariffs on semiconductor imports.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the investment, stating it would support “foundational semiconductors that go into the electronics people use every day” and sustain U.S. chip manufacturing for decades.

TI’s announcement also includes previously allocated funds for facilities already under construction or scaling up production.