semiconductor market

Google-parent Alphabet is close to becoming the world's most valuable company. A strong stock rally, booming cloud business, and AI advancements are driving this surge. Alphabet's significant AI investments are now paying off. Its Google Cloud segment shows rapid growth. Alphabet is also competing with Nvidia in selling custom AI chips.

Foreign investors are exiting Indian stocks, with outflows reaching Rs 60,847 crore in April, following a massive Rs 1,17,775 crore sell-off in March. This trend signals sustained weakness in overseas investor sentiment, as global capital shifts towards Asian economies benefiting from the AI investment boom, particularly South Korea and Taiwan.

Samsung Electronics is reportedly considering exiting China's TV and home appliance market, with a potential shift in focus towards the US. This strategic reassessment is driven by intense competition from domestic brands in China and stronger growth prospects in the American market. The company may redirect resources to smartphone and semiconductor sales while continuing manufacturing for export.

Nvidia's stock hit a record high, surpassing $5 trillion in market value, driven by immense investor confidence in artificial intelligence chips. This surge follows strong performance from other chipmakers and a broader tech sector rebound, despite earlier concerns. With AI demand showing no signs of slowing, Nvidia remains a key player in the global race.

South Korea's stock market has hit an unprecedented high, surpassing 6,000 trillion won in total valuation. The Kospi index reached a new intraday record, boosted by strong performances from tech giants like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

India's passenger vehicle market kicked off the new fiscal year with a robust 27% sales surge in April, reaching approximately 4.5 lakh units. Strong performances from Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra, fueled by demand for utility vehicles and SUVs, propelled this growth. Despite rising input costs, the industry is experiencing a significant upswing.

US chip stocks hit all-time highs, led by Intel's 24% surge, its best day since 1987, fueled by AI demand. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index also reached a record, marking an 18-day winning streak. Intel's turnaround, attributed to CEO Lip-Bu Tan, saw revenue rise 7.2%, with data center growth up 22%.

Delhi is crafting a semiconductor policy to become a hub for chip design and research, aligning with India's tech self-reliance goals. The policy aims to foster innovation, ease of business, and a strong industry ecosystem. It will focus on design, R&D, talent development, and startups, offering incentives to attract investment and generate high-skilled jobs.

Stock market recommendations: For the trading week starting April 27, 2026, Tata Steel, and Cyient DLM are the top stock picks from Motilal Oswal Wealth Management Research Desk.

JPMorgan has shifted its stance on Indian equities to neutral, citing high valuations and geopolitical uncertainties. The brokerage warns of a potential 15% Nifty 50 decline in a worst-case scenario, impacting earnings due to energy supply risks. While the long-term outlook remains robust, near-term caution is advised, with other emerging markets potentially offering better opportunities.

Apple posted its best March quarter ever in Q2 FY2026—$111.2 billion in revenue, up 17% year over year, with iPhone sales jumping 22% to $57 billion and Services hitting an all-time high of $31 billion. Every product category and every geographic region grew. The catch: memory costs are rising fast, Mac supply can't keep up with demand, and Tim Cook is handing the CEO role to John Ternus on September 1.

Washington isn’t interested in being a guarantor of anything, including energy supplies. New Delhi’s strategic response must centre around the one energy source it has in abundance

Tesla will utilize Intel's upcoming 14A chip manufacturing process for its ambitious Terafab AI chip complex in Austin, as confirmed by CEO Elon Musk. This partnership marks a significant external customer win for Intel's contract manufacturing business. Musk highlighted the need for the Terafab to meet anticipated demand for AI and autonomous driving technologies.