We recently published a list of 17 trending AI stocks according to the latest news and analyst ratings. In this article, we take a look at where ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML) is performing compared to other trending AI stocks.
One of the biggest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence in recent years has been advances in natural language processing. These AI models in language are now making their way into the business world and society as a whole. Sound estimates from Goldman Sachs investment advisors suggest that these AI tools could lead to a 7% increase in global GDP, worth nearly $7 trillion, over the next decade and increase overall productivity growth by 1.5 percentage points. Economists Joseph Briggs and Devesh Kodnani wrote in a recent report that the ability of AI tools to generate content indistinguishable from human-created products and to break down communication barriers between humans and machines represents a major advance with potentially large macroeconomic impact.
Some of these macro factors are easier to see in numbers. A recent study on artificial intelligence by Stanford University in the US shows that companies are already overtaking science in training AI models. For example, the AI industry was able to train almost 51 notable machine learning models in 2023 (read more about these companies at Top 33 AI companies to watch out for), compared to just 15 in academia. This is despite the fact that the costs associated with training the models have increased. For example, training ChatGPT 4, the latest version of the popular ChatGPT that sparked the AI wave in late 2022, cost nearly $80 million. Computing Gemini Ultra, an AI tool developed by Google, also cost $191 million. The number of AI patents is also increasing, as evidenced by the fact that the number of AI patents granted has increased more than 31 times since 2010.
This exciting phase in the world of technology has ushered in a new boom for the global economy, which was previously plagued by inflation concerns, geopolitical conflicts and stagnant demand numbers. The bullish sentiment around AI needs to be balanced with caution. In the long term, investors should prepare for significant changes in the way the world works, as AI could automate nearly 300 million jobs. Previous automation cycles have created new jobs and opportunities to replace them. Identifying these opportunities (read more about them by clicking on 20 industrial stocks that are already riding the AI wave) could go a long way toward balancing the risk profiles of high-growth portfolios. Recent research suggests that 60% of people employed today are in jobs that didn’t exist half a century ago, supporting the claim that over 80% of job growth since then can be explained by technology-driven innovation.
Our methodology
For this article, we selected AI stocks based on the latest news and analyst ratings. These stocks are also popular with hedge funds. Why do we care about the stocks hedge funds invest in? The reason is simple: Our research has shown that we can outperform the market by mimicking the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks each quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (read more details here).
A technician works on a semiconductor device in a clean room under the light of the machines.
ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML)
Number of hedge fund owners: 75
ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML) manufactures and sells advanced semiconductor equipment systems. One of the company’s most prominent customers is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s leading chipmaker. This partnership has driven the stock price higher this year as the AI craze led to increasing demand for high-end chips. However, reports that the U.S. government was considering restricting chip exports to China had led to a downward trend in shares. Recent rumors from Washington suggest that this export ban would extend to U.S. allies, but would exempt companies operating in Japan, South Korea and the Netherlands. ASML Holding is based in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.
Following the new developments, ASML Holding NV (NASDAQ:ASML) has received a confidence boost on Wall Street: Bank of America analyst Didier Scemama reiterated his buy rating with a price target of 1,302 euros, pointing out that the company remains irreplaceable in the expansion of AI infrastructure, as all AI processor and DRAM companies use the EUV technology marketed by the company to manufacture their chips.
ASML total ranks 13th on our list of trending AI stocks according to the latest news and analyst ratings. While we recognize ASML’s potential as an investment, we believe some AI stocks promise higher returns and do so in a shorter time frame. If you’re looking for an AI stock that’s more promising than ASML but trades at less than 5x its earnings, read our report on the cheapest AI stock.
READ MORE: Michael Burry sells these stocks and Jim Cramer recommends these stocks.
Disclosure: None. This article was originally published on Insider Monkey.
