Shares in chipmakers that provide the hardware for artificial intelligence have surged in the first half of 2026, with some manufacturers tripling their value or more, according to an analysis by The Guardian. The rally has driven Asia Pacific stock markets sharply higher.
Investors have piled into semiconductor and memory chip companies whose profits have soared during the year, while some large software firms have fallen out of favor. This shift reflects a preference for the physical infrastructure underpinning AI over the applications layer.
The trend has boosted stock markets across the Asia Pacific region, where many key chipmakers are based. The analysis did not provide specific price or valuation figures.
No partisan dynamics or public opinion data were mentioned in the report. The analysis did not offer historical precedent or assess the sustainability of the rally.
A caveat: if the AI investment cycle peaks or demand for chips slows, the surge could reverse, leaving investors exposed to overheated valuations.