The Magnificent Semis?

Shares of chipmakers are rallying this year

While the AI spending boom is fueling big gains for lots of tech companies, it’s the semiconductor makers that are truly in the chips these days.

Case in point: Semiconductor stocks as a group* are up 55% so far this year—outpacing the “Magnificent” 7’s year-to-date return by 48% (see the chart). Additionally, the current quarter has been the best for the semiconductor sector since late 2001, and it’s only halfway over.

Semiconductors Versus The Magnificent 7

Bloomberg, calculations by Horizon, data as of 05/15/2026.

A big reason: Advanced semiconductors are crucial to addressing bottlenecks in AI networks, thereby helping ensure that the massive investments companies are making in AI pay off. While Nvidia has long been the face of the AI chip boom, investor enthusiasm is increasingly broadening across the semiconductor landscape, with companies like Intel and Micron each up more than 150% YTD, versus roughly 20% for Nvidia.

The upshot: AI is creating the biggest demand spike the semiconductor industry has seen in decades, and active management strategies appear poised to capitalize on navigating these complexities as the AI theme matures.

* As measured by the MVIS U.S. Listed Semiconductor 25 index
The MVIS US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index tracks the 25 largest and most liquid US exchange-listed companies in the semiconductor industry. The Bloomberg Magnificent 7 Index is an equal-dollar weighted equity benchmark that tracks a fixed basket of seven major U.S. technology and communication stocks: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. This commentary is written by Horizon’s asset management team. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Nothing contained herein should be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security. This report does not attempt to examine all the facts and circumstances that may be relevant to any company, industry, or security mentioned herein. We are not soliciting any action based on this document. It is for the general information of clients of Horizon Investments, LLC (“Horizon”). This document does not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of individual clients. Before acting on any analysis, advice, or recommendation in this document, clients should consider whether the security in question is suitable for their particular circumstances and, if necessary, seek professional advice. Investors may realize losses on any investments. Asset allocation cannot eliminate the risk of fluctuating prices and uncertain returns. All investing involves the risk of loss.
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