Global AI Chip Stocks Plummet Amid Valuation Concerns

The global stock market experienced an accelerated selloff in semiconductor companies, driven by worries over the high valuations of some major players benefiting from the artificial intelligence boom. South Korea's Kospi index plunged, with Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. being significant drags. In Japan, Advantest Corp. dropped 10%, affecting the Nikkei 225, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. fell 3.3%. These companies are key suppliers to AI chip leader Nvidia Corp.

The selling pressure wiped approximately $500 billion from the market capitalization of the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index and a similar Asian chip stock gauge. This selloff highlights the extent of the AI-fueled rally, with key indexes near record highs. Chipmakers have seen trillions added to their market value since April, fueled by bets on soaring demand for AI computing power.

However, the recent pullback signals growing unease about the sector's earnings potential and sky-high stock valuations, especially if interest rates remain elevated. Warnings from Wall Street about an overdue correction, reduced expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts, and the US government shutdown also weighed on the sector. Hedge fund manager Michael Burry's disclosed bearish wagers on Palantir Technologies Inc. and Nvidia further contributed to the selloff.

**Impact** This widespread selloff in a critical technology sector like semiconductors can have a ripple effect across global markets. It suggests a potential cooling of the AI investment frenzy, which could impact future technology development and adoption. For Indian investors, this global trend might lead to caution in domestic tech stocks, but it could also present buying opportunities if fundamentally strong companies become more attractively priced due to the broader market correction. Rating: 7/10.

**Difficult Terms** **Valuations**: The estimated worth of a company, often based on its financial performance and future prospects. **Semiconductor**: A material, typically silicon, used to manufacture computer chips. **Equity benchmark**: A stock market index that represents the performance of a specific market or a group of stocks. **Drags**: Factors or stocks that cause a market index or stock price to decline. **Market capitalization**: The total market value of a company's outstanding shares. **Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX)**: A stock market index that tracks the performance of companies in the semiconductor industry. **Federal Reserve (Fed)**: The central bank of the United States, responsible for monetary policy. **Bearish wagers**: Investments made with the expectation that the price of an asset will fall. **Forecast**: A prediction of future financial performance or events. **Post-market results**: Financial results released by a company after the stock market has closed for the trading day. **Volatility**: The degree to which a stock's price fluctuates over a period of time. **Hyperscalers**: Large-scale cloud computing providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud.