$ASML

TheStreet argues AI capex is shifting from chipmakers to “picks and shovels” for semiconductor fabs and data centers. It cites Atlas Copco’s Vacuum Technique organic order growth of 59% in Q2, Linde’s electronics sales up 18% and gas backlog at $8.1B, and ASML’s plan for 30% more low-NA EUV capacity for 2027. It also notes Vertiv’s Q2 sales rose 24% and raised guidance.

Mistral said on 11 August that it is offering “European Compute Units” with regional endpoints for inference (Europe or US), a Priority Tier in public preview, and multi-year forward sales that convert customer payments into access to compute Mistral will build. An anchor group of five companies, including ASML, Amadeus, Capgemini, Caisse des Dépôts and CMA CGM, committed for about five years. ASML also led Mistral’s €1.7bn round in Sept 2025 valuing it at €11.7bn.

Analyst Sara Awad of Tech Contrarians says semiconductor stocks may face further downside in H2 2026 as expectations are high and supply conditions worsen, even with ongoing AI demand. She cites share declines after strong results from TSM, ASML and Samsung. She expects PC and smartphone contraction, potential DRAM supply pressure from SK Hynix and China, and a shift of AI spending toward lower-cost ASICs.

FTSE 100 was down about 30 points near 10,801 as miners fell after Antofagasta cut 2026 copper output guidance to 625,000-655,000 tonnes. JPMorgan upgraded Aviva to overweight and downgraded Legal & General and M&G. UK Q2 GDP grew 0.4%. Investors awaited US producer prices and jobless claims; US inflation eased to 3.4% in July.

Stocks ended lower ahead of Wednesday’s CPI. Oil fell briefly after Pakistan said the US and Iran are close to an arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran said it would keep it shut until conditions are met. Treasuries rose on CPI anticipation. Notable movers included DDOG, ADBE, ORCL, KKR, APO, and ONON after weak sales; AMTM cut guidance; RPD raised EPS outlook.

Markets were mostly higher as investors weighed President Trump’s harder stance toward Iran, reducing expectations for a near-term deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Oil, Treasury yields, and European bonds moved accordingly. US movers included ASML, KLA, Rapid7 (raised EPS forecast), Jabil (UBS upgrade), and Riot Platforms (cloud deal).

US President Trump signaled he may allow economic pressure on Iran to build instead of adding military strikes, amid renewed Middle East risks including a missile attack on a UAE tanker and a Houthi claim on Saudi Arabia’s Jazan refinery. Markets are mixed, with rate-hike odds for the FOMC and ECB and bond yields moving lower. Several US stocks rose on earnings or upgrades, including CAH, RPD, and RIOT; others fell, including ONON and APP.

CNBC’s Jim Cramer is set to host a semiconductor-focused Investing Club call Thursday. The article highlights NVIDIA, AMD, ASML, Lam Research, and Qualcomm with recent results and guidance, including NVIDIA Q1 FY27 revenue of $81.615B and Q2 FY27 revenue guidance of $91.0B, plus AMD Data Center revenue up 107% YoY to $6.7B.

Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, managed by Norges Bank Investment Management, reported a 9.4% return in the first half, rebounding from a $58 billion Q1 loss. The gain was driven by technology holdings, with chips and AI demand cited by CEO Nicolai Tangen. Fund value was 22.6 trillion kroner at end-June, with 13% equity return.

Zeiss said it can meet AI-driven demand for semiconductor optics, citing capacity expansion and its role in supplying components used in about 80% of global chips. The comments follow ASML’s raised 2026 sales outlook of $49.3B to $51.6B and TSMC’s record profits. The article links supply-chain bottleneck concerns to ASML and TSMC.