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☆ Chip stocks drop as U.S. mulls fresh curbs on AI access to China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Philadelphia chip index (.SOX) dropped 0.9%. Last year, U.S. officials had ordered Nvidia to stop exporting its top two AI chips to China to limit the country's technological capability. Months later, Nvidia launched a new advanced chip called A800 in China to meet export control rules. "A handful of tech companies pack a huge punch on Wall Street due to their sheer size, so any wobble in confidence reverberates on indices." The Philadelphia chip index (.SOX) has surged more than 44% so far this year, far ahead of the benchmark index's (.SPX) 14% rise.

Persons: chipmakers, Biden, Colette Kress, Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Lansdown, Medha Singh, Akash Sriram, Arun Koyyur, Vinay Dwivedi Organizations: Nvidia, Devices, Intel, U.S ., Commerce Department, Wall, AMD, Nordic Semiconductor, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Philadelphia, Milan, Bengaluru

☆ Renault's Mobilize in talks with European retailer to provide charging boxes for EV
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS, June 14 (Reuters) - Renault's (RENA.PA) new Mobilize unit is in advanced talks with a major European retailer to provide charging boxes for electric vehicles, a Mobilize spokesperson told Reuters on Wednesday. The spokesperson was confirming comments made earlier by chipmaker STMicroelectronics (STMPA.PA). Frederique Le Greves, CEO of STMicro France, had told the VivaTech conference in Paris that this would the first contract for the Mobilize PowerBox, developed by Software Republique, a tech partnership that counts Renault and STMicro among its members. Reporting by Gilles Guillaume, Writing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Benoit Van OverstraetenOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: chipmaker STMicroelectronics, Frederique Le Greves, Gilles Guillaume, Dominique Vidalon, Benoit Van Overstraeten Organizations: Reuters, Software Republique, Renault, Thomson Locations: STMicro France, Paris

☆ STMicroelectronics and Sanan plan silicon carbide venture in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, June 7 (Reuters) - Semiconductor supplier STMicroelectronics (STMPA.PA) and Sanan Optoelectronics (600703.SS) plan to set up a silicon carbide manufacturing joint venture in Chongqing, China, they said on Wednesday. The companies said the cost of the venture was expected to be about $3.2 billion, including capital expenditure of about $2.4 billion over the next five years. The venture will produce silicon carbide devices exclusively for STMicroelectronics which are used in electric cars and other industrial power and energy applications. "China is moving fast towards electrification in automotive and industrial and this is a market where ST is already well-established with many engaged customer programs. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; editing by David Goodman and Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Sanan, Jean, Marc Chery, Sudip Kar, David Goodman, Jason Neely Organizations: Semiconductor, Thomson Locations: Chongqing, China

PARIS, June 5 (Reuters) - France said on Monday it will provide 2.9 billion euros ($3.10 billion) in state aid to help support an investment of 7.5 billion euros that chipmakers STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries (GFS.O) are making to build a semiconductor factory in Crolles, southeastern France. The 2.9 billion euros are part of the 5.5 billion euros package France has set aside for its investments in the microchip sector by 2030, he added. On April 28, STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries secured EU approval to build the Crolles chip factory with French state aid. France overall aims to create 10,000 new jobs in the semiconductor sector by 2030. ($1 = 0.9352 euros)Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta; Editing by Benoit Van OverstraetenOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bruno Le Maire, GlobalFoundries, Dominique Vidalon, Sudip Kar, Benoit Van Overstraeten Organizations: Finance, European Union, EU, America, Thomson Locations: France, Crolles, United States, U.S

[1/2] Visitors stand next to a "Make In India" logo during a three-day semiconductor event in Bengaluru, India, April 30, 2022. They were from the Vedanta-Foxconn JV; a global consortium ISMC which counts Tower Semiconductor (TSEM.TA) as a tech partner; and from Singapore-based IGSS Ventures. SETBACK FOR VEDANTAMost of the world's chip output is limited to a few countries like Taiwan, and India is a late entrant. Amid much fanfare, in September, the Vedanta-Foxconn JV announced its chipmaking plans in Gujarat. Modi called the $19.5 billion plan "an important step" in boosting India's chipmaking ambitions.

Persons: Munsif, India's Modi, Taiwan's Foxconn, Narendra Modi, IGSS, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Modi, Foxconn, STMicro, Chandrasekhar, David Reed, Aditya Kalra, Jane Lanhee Lee, Steven Scheer, Nick Zieminski Organizations: Visitors, REUTERS, Companies, Intel, India's Vedanta, Vedanta, IGSS Ventures, JV, Reuters, Orbit, Foxconn JV, Twitter, Thomson Locations: India, Bengaluru, DELHI, OAKLAND , California, Singapore, Gujarat, Taiwan, New Delhi, Oakland , California

☆ Slowdown, recession or boom? Bank of America reveals the global stocks to play each eventuality
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Ganesh Rao | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The investment bank screened for stocks based on their ability to withstand fluctuations in a slowdown, recession, and boom. "Historically, the 'Recession' phase is the typical successor of the 'Slowdown' phase, but a 'Boom' phase has also followed 'Slowdown' in the past." Under this scenario, Bank of America screened for stocks that are "high quality, [large] size, growth-over-value, rising momentum and low risk". For this scenario, Bank of America looked for stocks it defined as high quality, large, value-over-growth, and low risk. For this eventuality, the Wall Street bank identified stocks it considers value-over-growth, rising momentum, high risk, small market cap, and low quality.

☆ EU must build cutting-edge computer chips - industry chief Breton
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ANTWERP, May 16 (Reuters) - EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Tuesday touted the European Chips Act passed last month, saying Europe must manufacture its own cutting-edge computer chips and not be relegated to a position on research or in building relatively older chips. The Chips Act is Europe's answer to similar plans to encourage the manufacture of semiconductors in the U.S. and China, as well as in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. He also rejected the idea that Europe should only focus on existing strengths in making relatively older chips, mostly for its car industry. He was speaking at an event hosted by Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC), one of Europe's top semiconductor research firms. He noted that the Chips Act has led to new projects planned by Intel, Infineon, STMicroelectronics and Global Foundries.

☆ STMicroelectronics, GlobalFoundries win EU approval for French chip factory
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The logo of electronics and semiconductors manufacturer STMIcroelectronics is seen outside a company building in Montrouge, near Paris, France, July 12, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah MeyssonnierBRUSSELS, April 28 (Reuters) - Chipmakers STMicroelectronics and GlobalFoundries (GFS.O) secured EU approval on Friday to build a chip factory with French state aid in France. The United States and the European Union are offering billions in state subsidies for home-grown chip factories to cut dependency on Asian suppliers. The EU wants to double its global market share to 20% in 2030 under its Chips Act agreed earlier this month. ($1 = 0.9103 euros)Reporting by Foo Yun Chee, editing by Marine StraussOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ STMicroelectronics posts better-than-expected Q1 results
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - European chipmaker STMicroelectronics (STM.DE) reported better-than-expected first-quarter results on Thursday. The company's revenue jumped 20% year-over-year to $4.25 billion in the quarter, outperforming analysts' average estimate of $4.19 billion, according to IBES data from Refinitiv Eikon. Citing a favorable business environment, CEO Jean-Marc Chery said the company was aiming for full-year revenue of $17 billion to $17.8 billion, keeping it on course for its target of $20 billion by 2027. STMicroelectronics's first-quarter earnings of $1.10 per share, also beat analysts' average forecast of $0.99 per share, IBES data showed. Net income rose about 40% year-over-year to $1.04 billion in the quarter.

☆ STMicro CEO: Don't see any price cuts on semiconductors
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailSTMicro CEO: Don't see any price cuts on semiconductorsJean-Marc Chery, CEO of STMicroelectronics, weighs in on consumer demand, the robustness of the automotive sector, and price pressures as his firm's first-quarter revenue tops estimates.

☆ Atomera, STMicro sign deal to use new chipmaking material
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Atomera said the deal allows STMicro to install Atomera's technology in its factories, and manufacture and distribute chips made with it. Atomera has developed a new material that can slot into existing semiconductor manufacturing processes to improve transistors, the tiny electrical switches at the heart of all chips. Atomera claims its material in some cases can improve transistors as much as jumping to a new-generation technology, but with lower costs. Atomera Chief Executive Scott Bibaud told Reuters that STMicro, with the new deal, is now Atomera's closest customer to moving to mass production. Bibaud said there is no firm timeline for when chips with Atomera technology will be in production, but it could be within 12 to 18 months.

☆ Bank of America is doubling down on a lesser-known chip stock — and gives it 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nvidia has undoubtedly been one of the sector's biggest winners this year, but Bank of America is doubling down on a lesser-known chip stock. That's significantly higher than the average potential upside of 16.1% given by analysts covering the stock, according to FactSet data. Bank of America described the firm as a "top pick" among European auto semiconductors and said the stock remains cheaper than its peers. The bank said it believes concerns about the company's poor track record and high Apple concentration are "likely to fade over the course of the next 12-18 months" as it improves gross margins and operating margins. Apple's share of the firm's revenue is also likely to drop to around 10% by end-2024, the bank added.

The size of subsidies under the EU Chips Act, which aims to tempt the world's top chipmakers to build factories in the bloc and double its share of global output to 20% by 2030, lags the $52 billion CHIPS for America Act. Taiwan accounts for more than 60% of global chip production and concerns are growing about heightened tensions between Taipei and Beijing. But Europe's relatively modest subsidies could put a brake on its ambition, said Richard Windsor of research company Radio Free Mobile. GOOD STARTThe EU Chips Act is a good start given the EU has little choice but to join the subsidy race, but the bloc should play to its chipmaking strengths, said Christopher Cytera, research fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis. Catching up on the chips race is more than just building factories and the Chips Act acknowledges this with its focus on developing skilled labour for the future, said Anielle Guedes, senior research analyst at IDC Technologies.

☆ Exclusive: EU Chips Act likely to get green light on April 18 -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The European Commission announced the Chips Act last year in a bid to cut EU reliance on U.S. and Asian semiconductors following global supply chain problems that hurt European businesses from carmakers to manufacturers. EU countries and lawmakers will meet at the European Parliament's monthly session in Strasbourg on April 18 to negotiate details of funding for the Act and will likely clinch a deal, the people said. Providing funding to the entire value chain also addresses complaints from the smaller EU countries about being left out after Intel (INTC.O), attracted by the Chips Act, picked Germany for its new mega chip manufacturing complex. Franco-Italian company STMicroelectronics has also teamed up with GlobalFoundries (GFS.O) to build a 6.7 billion euro chip factory in France, drawing on funding from the government. ($1 = 0.9163 euros)Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Jan Harvey, Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ A longtime bear is ‘creeping back’ into tech — and has some picks to play it
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Tech investor Paul Meeks — an unabashed longtime tech bear — is also beginning to warm to the sector. "I'm creeping back into the sector after long advocating an underweight position in it," he said in notes to CNBC on Friday. Chip makers NXP Semiconductors and STMicroelectronics also made Meeks' list, with the tech investor saying they are two stocks that he "likes very much." Outside of semiconductors, Meeks is also looking at German software firm SAP . "Keep an eye on SAP because this windfall for them could be a really nice blessing, a game-changer," he added.

☆ From Tesla to under-the-radar battery stocks: Wall Street has a playbook for the EV boom
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The bank's "Battery Electric Vehicles Basket" comprises several stocks across the EV supply chain, including automakers Rivian , Lucid and Li Auto . This may be the opportune moment for Chinese EV brands to knock on the doors of Europe." Among the Chinese EV makers, BYD, Nio and Xpeng are "the ones to watch," according to Bernstein. "We expect Chinese EV players to find better success targeting the compact, mass market EV segment that has so far been under-penetrated in Europe," the bank said. Tesla and under-the-radar plays Tesla is one of Deutsche Bank 's top picks in the EV space.

☆ These 74 stocks across 5 categories of AI are the top picks from the sector's leading fund managers.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

These 74 stocks are picked by AI ETF managers. What she believes is unique about her fund is its heavy focus on quantum computing technology, making up 41.22% of the fund. While big data is used for different technologies, it enables AI to work with massive data sets in its machine-learning process. TipRanks, a financial technology website that uses AI to analyze financial data, created a stock list for what they deem are the best AI stocks based on popularity. TipRanks' list of nine of the best AI stocks have large market caps and are likely to remain relevant for a long time.

☆ Elon Musk's 'Master Plan' for Tesla fails to charge up investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 2 (Reuters) - Tesla Inc's (TSLA.O) shares fell 6% premarket on Thursday, after Chief Executive Elon Musk and team's four-hour presentation failed to impress investors waiting for an affordable electric vehicle and a plan with a concrete timeline. However, the event, where Musk revealed the EV maker's 'Master Plan 3', was short on details about the timeline or any new Tesla products. "The timeline and cost details were limited, and the event lacked a Tesla-like surprise," Wells Fargo analyst Colin Langan said. The reduction plan was "bad news for the whole silicon carbide production chain and in particular for STMicro," Brokerage Equita said. It estimates that Tesla accounted for 70% of 2022 semiconductor sales at STMicro.

☆ Factbox: Chipmakers' plans for factories in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Under the European Chips Act, the European Commission earmarked early last year a total of 15 billion euros ($16 billion) for public and private semiconductor projects by 2030. Below are some of the chipmakers' plans for factories in Europe, in alphabetical order:Infineon (IFXGn.DE):The maker of chips used in cars and data won approval to begin work on a 5 billion euro semiconductor plant in the German city of Dresden, it said on Feb. 16. Intel (INTC.O):In March 2022, Intel picked the German city of Magdeburg as the site for its new mega chip manufacturing complex, a key part of its $88 billion investment drive across Europe. STMicroelectronics (STM.BN):The Franco-Italian company said in October it plans to build a 730 million euro silicon carbide wafer plant in Italy. It also announced plans in July to build a semiconductor factory in France in partnership with GlobalFoundries (GFS.O).

☆ Ferrari CEO says Tesla's success was a 'wake up call' for the auto industry
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Bianca Giacobone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Ferrari is an "emotional car" while Tesla is a "functional car," he said. Ferrari plans to unveil its first fully electric car in 2025, taking it to market in 2026. And Tesla certainly got things moving for the electrification of the automotive industry, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna told Bloomberg. While investing in electric cars, it will "keep offering a mix of technology for as long as it's feasible. As "functional" electric cars, to use Vigna's words, become more and more popular, luxury automakers like Ferrari are getting ready to enter the market.

☆ A corner of tech is up 50% from its 2022 lows — and strategists recommend these stocks to play it
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The semiconductor sector has seen quite a turnaround of late. Chip stocks were among the worst performers last year, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) shedding more than 35% of its value. Despite this, chip stocks have flown somewhat under the radar since the beginning of the year as the buzz around artificial intelligence and a recovery in Big Tech dominated investor attention. While the semiconductor sector is notorious for its cyclicality and boom-bust cycles, several Wall Street pros are urging investors to take a longer-term view. Europe stock ideas In Europe, a raft of chip stocks made Bank of America 's list of "2023 European Best Stock Ideas."

☆ Cramer's lightning round: EMCOR Group is my kind of stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Krystal Hur | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Loading chart...Moderna Inc : "I think you should buy more." Loading chart...Okta Inc : "[CEO Todd McKinnon has] got to pivot first. We mean pivot, going from loss and high growth to a little less growth and profit." Loading chart...EMCOR Group Inc : "That's my kind of stock. Loading chart...AllianceBernstein Holding LP : "I think you possibly have a winner.

☆ The AI craze has sent some stocks soaring up to 300%. This list of over 74 stocks across 5 categories features the top picks from the sector's leading fund managers.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Laila Maidan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

☆ STMicro leans on AI, cloud as chip designs become more complex
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Feb 7 (Reuters) - European chipmaker STMicroelectronics (STM.BN) and chip design software maker Synopsys (SNPS.O) on Tuesday said STMicro had for the first time used artificial intelligence software running on Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O) cloud to design a working chip. The achievement would help solve the growing problem of getting increasingly complex designs ready for customers in an acceptable time, STMicro said. The company is one of a several that are using AI to help design chips, which involves translating a complicated circuit architecture into a blueprint for fabricating billions of transistors on a small piece of silicon. Shankar Krishnamoorthy, general manager of the design automation group at Synopsys, said that company's AI engine got better results faster when it had more computing power behind it. Cloud providers like Microsoft offer the option to rent a huge burst of computing power in a short time.

☆ Morning Bid: Stumbling away
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A general view shows the trading floor at the stock exchange reflected in a window of the visitors terrace in Frankfurt, Germany October 2, 2017. Reuters GraphicsIn contrast, European chipmaker STMicroelectronics cited strong demand from automotive and industrial customers on Thursday as it beat earnings and sales targets. Reuters GraphicsBefore next week's central bank meetings (that's Fed, ECB and BOE on the deck) take all of investors' attention, the focus on Friday will be on the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data. The core PCE price index is expected to rise 0.3% in December, according to Reuters poll of economists. Key developments that could influence markets on Friday:Economic events: Sweden unemployment rate for December, Spain Q4 GDP data and core U.S. PCE dataReporting by Ankur Banerjee; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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