Market Speculation Risks Resurface
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy TSM?
Source: CNBC
- Speculation Warning: CNBC's Jim Cramer warns that signs of excessive speculation are resurfacing in the market, recalling how last year's speculative stocks led to significant investor losses, indicating that current market enthusiasm may be outpacing necessary investment discipline.
- High-Risk Investment Areas: Cramer highlights high-risk sectors such as unprofitable nuclear startups, quantum computing, and space-related stocks, acknowledging their long-term potential but expressing concern that many smaller companies lack viable business models, which could lead to investor losses again.
- Mature Company Recommendations: For investors seeking exposure to these industries, Cramer recommends established companies with stable earnings and complementary business lines, such as Constellation Energy and GE Vernova, which have extensive experience in nuclear and renewable energy.
- AI Compute Infrastructure: Cramer sharply criticizes Allbirds' pivot plan, noting its stock surged 582% post-announcement but then fell 36%, advising investors to focus on stronger semiconductor firms like Nvidia and TSMC for a more reliable play in the AI compute boom.
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Analyst Views on TSM
Wall Street analysts forecast TSM stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 363.350
Low
63.24
Averages
313.46
High
390.00
Current: 363.350
Low
63.24
Averages
313.46
High
390.00
About TSM
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd is a Taiwan-based integrated circuit foundry service provider. The Company is primarily engaged in integrated circuit manufacturing services. It offers advanced process technologies, specialised process solutions, advanced photomask and silicon stacking, and packaging-related technologies, while supporting a comprehensive design ecosystem. The Company's products serve diverse electronic sectors including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, wired and wireless communications, automotive and industrial equipment, personal computing, information applications, consumer electronics, smart internet of things, and wearable devices.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
TSMC Reports Strong Q1 Earnings Exceeding Expectations
- Earnings Beat: TSMC's Q1 GAAP EPS of $3.49 surpassed expectations by $0.11, indicating robust performance in the semiconductor market and likely boosting investor confidence moving forward.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company reported Q1 revenue of $35.9 billion, a 40.6% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $410 million, reflecting strong global demand for high-performance computing and AI chips, driving sustained growth.
- Advanced Process Revenue Share: Shipments of 3nm, 5nm, and 7nm technologies accounted for 25%, 36%, and 13% of total wafer revenue, respectively, with advanced technologies (7nm and above) making up 74% of total revenue, showcasing TSMC's competitiveness in the high-end market.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With ongoing demand for AI, TSMC is expected to continue reporting strong quarterly results, fostering a positive market sentiment that may attract more investor interest.
See More
TSMC Files 2025 Annual Report with SEC
- Annual Report Submission: TSMC today filed its 2025 annual report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on its website, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
- Technological Strength: By 2025, TSMC deployed 305 distinct process technologies and manufactured 12,682 products for 534 customers, showcasing its leadership and innovation capabilities in the semiconductor industry.
- Global Operations: TSMC's global operations across Asia, Europe, and North America support its role as the world's leading dedicated semiconductor foundry, fostering a thriving ecosystem for global customers and partners.
- Corporate Citizenship: As a global enterprise, TSMC is committed to fulfilling its corporate citizenship responsibilities, actively participating in social and environmental sustainability, thereby further solidifying its reputation in the industry.
See More
Analysis of Banking and Semiconductor Earnings Reports
- Strong Banking Performance: Bank of America reported a 17% year-over-year increase in earnings for Q1, with net interest income exceeding expectations, and trading revenue and investment banking fees growing by 30% and 21% respectively, indicating heightened trading activity due to market volatility, which enhances profitability.
- Improved Credit Quality: The bank's provision for credit losses was about $200 million less than expected, with a net charge-off ratio improving by 6 basis points year-over-year to 0.48%, suggesting a healthy consumer credit environment that may further support future earnings growth.
- Robust Semiconductor Demand: Taiwan Semiconductor reported a 35% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, with a gross margin of 66%, indicating that demand driven by high-performance computing and AI exceeds its production capacity, reflecting a positive industry outlook.
- Stable ASML Equipment Sales: ASML sold 79 lithography machines this quarter, generating over $10 billion in revenue, slightly above expectations, demonstrating strong market demand, while maintenance service revenue grew by 17%, indicating increased customer reliance on its equipment.
See More
Bank of America and Schwab Q1 Earnings Analysis
- Bank of America Performance: Bank of America reported a 17% year-over-year increase in earnings for Q1, with net interest income exceeding expectations and significant rises in trading and investment banking fees, indicating enhanced client activity amid market volatility and strengthening its competitive position.
- Schwab Trading Volume Record: Schwab's average daily trading volume surged 34% year-over-year in Q1, setting a new record, although revenue grew 16% year-over-year, falling short of market expectations, which has put pressure on its stock price and reflects cautious sentiment about future performance.
- Semiconductor Sector Insights: TSMC's Q1 revenue grew 35% year-over-year, with a gross margin of 66%, driven by strong AI demand, prompting the company to continue investing to meet market needs, signaling long-term growth potential in the industry.
- ASML Equipment Sales Steady: ASML sold 79 lithography machines in Q1, generating over $10 billion in revenue, slightly exceeding expectations, but caution is warranted as a single machine can significantly impact results, with overall demand remaining strong, indicating an optimistic industry outlook.
See More
Bank of America Recommends Stocks Ahead of Earnings Reports
- Stock Recommendations: Bank of America has recommended stocks like Apple ahead of their earnings reports, particularly highlighting Apple's strong iPhone upgrade cycle expected to drive growth in services revenue.
- Strong Performance by Quanta Services: The infrastructure services company Quanta Services is firing on all cylinders ahead of its earnings report, with analysts praising its full solutions capabilities, which are expected to enhance market share and margins.
- Kodiak Gas Acquisition Advantage: Kodiak Gas Services' recent acquisition of Distributed Power Solutions positions it favorably in the natural gas and AI data center buildout sectors, with analysts raising the price target from $45 to $70 per share due to strong tailwinds.
- Tripadvisor Investment Potential: Tripadvisor was upgraded to buy due to increased involvement from Starboard Value, with analysts noting that its diversified portfolio and growth from Viator and TheFork will drive future margin expansion.
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Intel's Stock Soars Nearly 260%, Future Outlook Worrisome
- Stock Surge: Intel's stock has surged nearly 260% over the past 12 months, hovering near all-time highs, yet it trades nearly 40% above Wall Street's median price target, indicating potential pullback risks.
- Strategic Transformation: Under CEO Tan's leadership, Intel has aggressively cut costs and focused on enhancing manufacturing capabilities and AI chips, aiming to reclaim its lead over TSMC, despite experiencing four consecutive years of declining revenue.
- Government Investment Support: The U.S. government acquired a 10% stake in Intel for $8.9 billion, reflecting confidence in its future development and countering bearish views about its business collapse, positioning it as a
See More
TSMC Reports Strong Q1 Earnings Exceeding Expectations
- Earnings Beat: TSMC's Q1 GAAP EPS of $3.49 surpassed expectations by $0.11, indicating robust performance in the semiconductor market and likely boosting investor confidence moving forward.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company reported Q1 revenue of $35.9 billion, a 40.6% year-over-year increase, exceeding market expectations by $410 million, reflecting strong global demand for high-performance computing and AI chips, driving sustained growth.
- Advanced Process Revenue Share: Shipments of 3nm, 5nm, and 7nm technologies accounted for 25%, 36%, and 13% of total wafer revenue, respectively, with advanced technologies (7nm and above) making up 74% of total revenue, showcasing TSMC's competitiveness in the high-end market.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With ongoing demand for AI, TSMC is expected to continue reporting strong quarterly results, fostering a positive market sentiment that may attract more investor interest.
See More
TSMC Files 2025 Annual Report with SEC
- Annual Report Submission: TSMC today filed its 2025 annual report with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, available on its website, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and regulatory compliance.
- Technological Strength: By 2025, TSMC deployed 305 distinct process technologies and manufactured 12,682 products for 534 customers, showcasing its leadership and innovation capabilities in the semiconductor industry.
- Global Operations: TSMC's global operations across Asia, Europe, and North America support its role as the world's leading dedicated semiconductor foundry, fostering a thriving ecosystem for global customers and partners.
- Corporate Citizenship: As a global enterprise, TSMC is committed to fulfilling its corporate citizenship responsibilities, actively participating in social and environmental sustainability, thereby further solidifying its reputation in the industry.
See More
Analysis of Banking and Semiconductor Earnings Reports
- Strong Banking Performance: Bank of America reported a 17% year-over-year increase in earnings for Q1, with net interest income exceeding expectations, and trading revenue and investment banking fees growing by 30% and 21% respectively, indicating heightened trading activity due to market volatility, which enhances profitability.
- Improved Credit Quality: The bank's provision for credit losses was about $200 million less than expected, with a net charge-off ratio improving by 6 basis points year-over-year to 0.48%, suggesting a healthy consumer credit environment that may further support future earnings growth.
- Robust Semiconductor Demand: Taiwan Semiconductor reported a 35% year-over-year revenue growth in Q1, with a gross margin of 66%, indicating that demand driven by high-performance computing and AI exceeds its production capacity, reflecting a positive industry outlook.
- Stable ASML Equipment Sales: ASML sold 79 lithography machines this quarter, generating over $10 billion in revenue, slightly above expectations, demonstrating strong market demand, while maintenance service revenue grew by 17%, indicating increased customer reliance on its equipment.
See More
Bank of America and Schwab Q1 Earnings Analysis
- Bank of America Performance: Bank of America reported a 17% year-over-year increase in earnings for Q1, with net interest income exceeding expectations and significant rises in trading and investment banking fees, indicating enhanced client activity amid market volatility and strengthening its competitive position.
- Schwab Trading Volume Record: Schwab's average daily trading volume surged 34% year-over-year in Q1, setting a new record, although revenue grew 16% year-over-year, falling short of market expectations, which has put pressure on its stock price and reflects cautious sentiment about future performance.
- Semiconductor Sector Insights: TSMC's Q1 revenue grew 35% year-over-year, with a gross margin of 66%, driven by strong AI demand, prompting the company to continue investing to meet market needs, signaling long-term growth potential in the industry.
- ASML Equipment Sales Steady: ASML sold 79 lithography machines in Q1, generating over $10 billion in revenue, slightly exceeding expectations, but caution is warranted as a single machine can significantly impact results, with overall demand remaining strong, indicating an optimistic industry outlook.
See More
Bank of America Recommends Stocks Ahead of Earnings Reports
- Stock Recommendations: Bank of America has recommended stocks like Apple ahead of their earnings reports, particularly highlighting Apple's strong iPhone upgrade cycle expected to drive growth in services revenue.
- Strong Performance by Quanta Services: The infrastructure services company Quanta Services is firing on all cylinders ahead of its earnings report, with analysts praising its full solutions capabilities, which are expected to enhance market share and margins.
- Kodiak Gas Acquisition Advantage: Kodiak Gas Services' recent acquisition of Distributed Power Solutions positions it favorably in the natural gas and AI data center buildout sectors, with analysts raising the price target from $45 to $70 per share due to strong tailwinds.
- Tripadvisor Investment Potential: Tripadvisor was upgraded to buy due to increased involvement from Starboard Value, with analysts noting that its diversified portfolio and growth from Viator and TheFork will drive future margin expansion.
See More
Intel's Stock Soars Nearly 260%, Future Outlook Worrisome
- Stock Surge: Intel's stock has surged nearly 260% over the past 12 months, hovering near all-time highs, yet it trades nearly 40% above Wall Street's median price target, indicating potential pullback risks.
- Strategic Transformation: Under CEO Tan's leadership, Intel has aggressively cut costs and focused on enhancing manufacturing capabilities and AI chips, aiming to reclaim its lead over TSMC, despite experiencing four consecutive years of declining revenue.
- Government Investment Support: The U.S. government acquired a 10% stake in Intel for $8.9 billion, reflecting confidence in its future development and countering bearish views about its business collapse, positioning it as a
See More
