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Broadcom Raises Revenue Forecast on AI Chip Demand but Shares Dip

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Broadcom delivered a stronger-than-expected revenue forecast for its third quarter, supported by robust demand for its networking and custom AI computing chips. The company projected Q3 revenue of approximately $15.80 billion, exceeding analysts’ average estimate of $15.71 billion according to LSEG data.

Despite the upbeat forecast, Broadcom’s shares fell 4% in after-hours trading. The stock had already climbed nearly 30% over the past month and around 12% for the year, leading some investors to view the forecast as insufficiently exceeding high market expectations. “Clearly, expectations were high coming into the print,” said Kinngai Chan, senior research analyst at Summit Insights Group.

The Palo Alto-based company plays a crucial role in the AI hardware ecosystem, designing custom processors and networking chips for major AI and cloud computing clients such as OpenAI and Google. Broadcom has begun shipping its newest networking chip, the Tomahawk 6, which doubles the performance of its predecessor and enhances data center efficiency for AI workloads.

Broadcom CEO Hock Tan highlighted the ongoing growth, noting that AI semiconductor revenue is expected to accelerate to $5.1 billion in the third quarter, marking ten consecutive quarters of growth. “Our hyperscale partners continue to invest,” Tan stated. In contrast, non-AI semiconductor revenue remains sluggish and near the bottom of its cycle.

For the second quarter, Broadcom reported total revenue of $15 billion, narrowly surpassing analysts’ estimates of $14.99 billion. Revenue from its semiconductor segment, which includes products for data centers and networking, grew 16.7% year-over-year to $8.41 billion.

Google Cuts 200 Jobs in Global Business Unit Amid AI-Focused Shift

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Google has laid off approximately 200 employees from its global business organization, which oversees sales and partnerships, as the tech giant continues to reallocate resources toward artificial intelligence and data centers, The Information reported Wednesday.

Key Highlights:

  • The cuts were confirmed by Google, which said the changes aim to boost collaboration and enhance customer service effectiveness.

  • This follows earlier layoffs in Google’s platforms and devices division, impacting teams responsible for Android, Pixel, and Chrome.

  • Google-parent Alphabet previously cut 12,000 jobs in January 2023, about 6% of its global workforce.

Broader Tech Industry Context:

Major tech companies are trimming headcount in legacy areas while aggressively investing in AI capabilities:

  • Meta laid off 5% of its “lowest performers” while accelerating AI hiring.

  • Microsoft let go of 650 staff from its Xbox division last September.

  • Amazon and Apple have also enacted selective layoffs across various departments.

These actions signal a strategic pivot across the tech industry to optimize cost structures and prioritize innovation in AI, cloud infrastructure, and machine learning tools.

Amazon to Invest $4 Billion in Cloud Infrastructure in Chile, Eyes 2026 Launch

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Amazon Web Services (AWS) will invest $4 billion to build its first data centers in Chile, establishing a dedicated cloud region that is set to go live by the second half of 2026, the company confirmed in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

This marks AWS’s third cloud region in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico, and reflects the tech giant’s continued push to expand its generative AI and cloud services footprint across high-growth emerging markets.

“All the necessary permits have been approved,” said Juan Pablo Estevez, AWS’s head of South Latin America, who emphasized the project’s potential to provide “substantial computing power” to local and regional businesses.

Environmental Considerations

AWS’s expansion comes amid concerns over the environmental impact of data centers in drought-stricken Chile, where Google was forced to revise a $200 million data center plan due to environmental backlash last year.

  • Estevez noted that AWS’s Chile facilities will use water-based cooling for only 4% of the year, equivalent to the consumption of just eight households over 15 years.

  • The remaining cooling needs will be met through air and evaporation-based technologies.

  • AWS has also matched 100% of its energy use with renewable sources since 2023.

Market Outlook and Growth

Despite AWS’s recent cloud revenue falling short of Wall Street forecasts, Estevez remains bullish on the regional outlook:

  • Chile’s cloud market is projected to grow 20.3% annually through 2028

  • Valued at $1.5 billion in 2023, it is expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2025

AWS already serves regional clients like Cencosud, MercadoLibre, and various mining companies, and will now compete directly with Microsoft Azure, whose Chilean center is set to go live this year.

Globally, Amazon operates 36 cloud regions and 114 availability zones, powering key enterprise services for companies like Netflix, Sony, and General Electric.