News

ASML Holding's Q2 outlook points to strong growth, but a lofty valuation, China export curbs and rising competition warrant caution ahead of results.

Semiconductor manufacturing was dominated by American companies before factories moved to countries like Taiwan and South Korea. Now, hints of that original vigor are emerging again as a fab construction boom promises to revive what once was the global standard: computer chips made in the USA. "Today, all of the major semiconductor manufacturers capable of building a state-of-the-art semiconductor are investing in the United States," said Joe Stockunas, president of the Americas unit of the SEMI industry trade group.

The best quarterly stock market performance in six years powered the average U.S. diversified equity fund higher.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Meta plans to begin manufacturing its AI chip starting in September, lifting ancillary firms' shares, but the rally fizzled.

AI demand and cloud spending support KLA and Western Digital, while Apple and Optex face mixed headwinds and opportunities in Zacks' latest research.

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Apple Inc. (AAPL), KLA Corp. (KLAC) and Western Digital Corp. (WDC), as well as a micro-cap stock, Optex Systems Holdings, Inc (OPXS).

Meta’s decision to make its in-house chip could be a boon for Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA, which all make equipment that turns raw silicon wafers into microchips.

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after semiconductor stocks rebounded amid dip buying following a recent selloff, as reports revealed that China may ease restrictions on advanced Nvidia AI chip imports.

Why KLA’s Guidance Update Matters for Investors KLA (KLAC) shook up the semiconductor conversation after lifting its quarterly EPS guidance by 9.2%, tying the move directly to artificial intelligence demand and reporting unusually strong visibility into upcoming orders. The guidance shift arrived while semiconductor stocks have been swinging sharply, and it immediately became a reference point for how AI spending might filter into equipment suppliers. For investors tracking KLA, the...

KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) is one of the 15 Best NASDAQ 100 Stocks to Buy Other Than SpaceX. On July 6, 2026, Morgan Stanley raised the firm’s price target on KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) to $274 from $190 and kept an Equal Weight rating on the shares. On June 30, Susquehanna adjusted the firm’s price target on […]

Meta’s decision to make its in-house chip could be a boon for Applied Materials, Lam Research, and KLA, which all make equipment that turns raw silicon wafers into microchips.

Memory chips, optical technology, semiconductor equipment makers, oh my! The three themes within the AI trade have emerged as investors' favorites, sending related stocks skyrocketing this year. They're also leading today's session.

KLA Corporation is poised to release its fourth-quarter results soon, and analysts project a single-digit earnings growth.

A number of stocks fell in the morning session after Samsung Electronics' record quarterly profit triggered a textbook "sell-the-news" reaction, compounded by a Reuters report that China's DeepSeek is developing its own AI inference chip.

Investors weren't happy with Samsung's guidance today, sending a large group of tech names lower in U.S. morning trading. Here are some of the biggest recent declines: Intel (INTC): Down 11% Applied ...

After a 284% rebound from its 52-week low, Applied Materials still has AI-driven demand, portfolio breadth and earnings momentum supporting further growth.

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) today is down -0.19%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) is up +0.04%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) is down -1.43%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU26 ) are down -0.25%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures...

Spurred by management's rare, forward-looking confidence, the market has already delivered a massive run.

KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) is one of the best stocks on the rise to invest in. Susquehanna adjusted the price target on KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) to $275 from $1,700 on June 30 and maintained a Neutral rating on the shares. The firm updated its model on the stock after channel checks suggesting an upward revision to SCE […]

The wafer fab equipment, or WFE, market's 2028 growth expectations have risen "significantly," with

The S&P 500 Index ($SPX ) (SPY ) today is up +0.43%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($DOWI ) (DIA ) is down -0.04%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX ) (QQQ ) is up +1.17%. September E-mini S&P futures (ESU26 ) are up +0.46%, and September E-mini Nasdaq futures...

The world’s richest investor is making an unprecedented all-in bet on artificial intelligence. In June alone, Bezos Expeditions, Jeff Bezos’ 21-year-old family office, made five direct investments in AI startups, accounting for 10% of all family office dealmaking that month, per Fintrx. Bezos Expeditions is now the most active family office investor of 2026 with ... Jeff Bezos Is Pouring Money Into a Startup That Could Drive ‘Civilizational Wealth’

Susquehanna raised its WFE market forecast to $250 billion by 2028, lifting price targets on AEIS, LRCX, and KLAC as AI-driven demand fuels the semiconductor equipment sector.

KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) is one of the 10 Best Pick and Shovel AI Stocks to Invest In. On June 29, 2026, Cantor Fitzgerald raised its price target on KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) to $325 from $250 and kept an Overweight rating. Cantor Fitzgerald viewed the AI infrastructure buildout as a durable and extended generational semiconductor cycle, […]

The Morning Bull - US Market Morning Update Monday, Jul, 6 2026 US stock futures are pointing higher this morning, with E-mini S&P 500 futures up about 0.4% and E-mini Nasdaq-100 futures up around 1.2%, as investors weigh cooling market anxiety against a packed data week. Volatility gauges like VIX futures are down roughly 2%, which means investors are currently pricing in a calmer trading day. At the same time, the ISM Services PMI, existing home sales, and the Federal Reserve meeting...

We recently published Jim Cramer’s Biggest Winners to Buy: Top 20 AI & Other Stocks He Got Right in 2026. KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) is one of the stocks discussed by Jim Cramer. KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC) makes and sells equipment used in semiconductor production. Its shares are up by 158% over the past year and by […]

Vltava Fund, a value-focused investment management company, published its investor letter for the second quarter of 2026. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The letter explores the growing role of AI and how certain facets of human intelligence may become less valuable economically, while other skills become more important. The author emphasizes […]

The Morning Bull - US Market Morning Update Friday, Jul, 3 2026 US stock futures are slightly weaker this morning, with S&P 500 contracts edging down around 0.01%, as investors weigh softer US data against rising borrowing costs. The US private sector added 98,000 jobs in June, fewer than in May and below forecasts, which hints that hiring is cooling but unemployment near 4.3% still points to plenty of people in work. At the same time, the ISM Manufacturing PMI sits at 53.3, so factories are...

A number of stocks fell in the afternoon session after the semiconductor sector pulled back amid fears that AI-driven chip demand may be cooling.

KLA (KLAC) reached $235.55 at the closing of the latest trading day, reflecting a -11.51% change compared to its last close.