QCOM

Qualcomm is reportedly in discussions to acquire AI chip startup Tenstorrent, according to a SeekingAlpha report. The deal is unconfirmed and no financial terms have been disclosed. Tenstorrent, backed by notable investors, designs RISC-V-based AI accelerator chips and has been seen as a competitor in the AI silicon space.

US major indices closed mixed in a highly volatile session: the Dow rose 0.17% while the S&P fell 0.26% and the Nasdaq dropped 0.97%, with intraday ranges of over 1,000 points on the Dow and 1,279 points on the Nasdaq. Chip and AI-linked stocks led losses — dragged by Broadcom's prior forecast miss and a near-7% drop in the Philadelphia Semiconductor index — while airlines rallied 3–7% on lower oil prices tied to potential Iran-US de-escalation. A stronger-than-expected May jobs report (172K vs. consensus) revived rate-hike fears ahead of Tuesday's CPI print, pressuring high-valuation growth stocks.

Major US stock indices closed marginally higher on May 11, led by the Russell 2000 (+0.33%), with the Dow and S&P each up 0.19% and the NASDAQ up 0.10%. Session performance was bifurcated, with semiconductors, AI, and commodity names among the top gainers while consumer discretionary, retail, and select high-growth stocks saw notable selling. Markets are also focused on upcoming CPI data and US-China trade talks beginning Wednesday.

Qualcomm (QCOM) has been ranked 14th on a list of 15 AI stocks considered capable of breaking the trillion-dollar market cap barrier. The article positions Qualcomm as a "high-conviction AI-at-the-edge play" transitioning beyond its traditional smartphone chipmaker identity. No specific financial results or catalysts are cited; the ranking is based on an editorial list.

Qualcomm (QCOM) is down ~23% year-to-date, pressured by Apple's (AAPL) transition away from Qualcomm modems and a smartphone memory shortage. The article questions whether QCOM could be the next AI stock to rally despite these headwinds. No confirmed catalysts or financial results are cited.

The Motley Fool argues that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) is the top "pick-and-shovel" AI stock for 2026, citing its 72% foundry market share and analyst expectations of 40%+ earnings growth. The article positions TSMC as a beneficiary of broad AI chip demand, manufacturing for designers including Nvidia, Broadcom, Apple, AMD, Qualcomm, and Marvell. Nvidia and Broadcom are acknowledged as AI chip leaders but are presented as secondary picks relative to TSMC.

Qualcomm reported record Q1 earnings across all key metrics, with 31% QCT margins and automotive segment growth exceeding 35%, yet the stock continues to trade at approximately 15x forward earnings — a notable discount to semiconductor peers. Near-term headwinds include memory-driven inventory corrections and Apple's planned transition away from Qualcomm modems. The article argues the market is mispricing cyclical handset weakness as structural decline, with diversification into automotive, IoT, and edge AI seen as undervalued.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) reported Q1 revenue of $35.7 billion, a 35% year-over-year increase, driven by strong AI chip demand. The company holds a 72% foundry market share and is expected to implement chip price increases. TSMC's Q1 earnings are scheduled for release on April 16, with the stock currently trading at approximately 25x forward earnings.