AI Sector and Semiconductors Plummet as Markets Await FOMC Decision
While everyone is fixated on the upcoming FOMC meeting, markets are bracing for Kevin Warsh's press conference. Cryptocurrencies are currently experiencing a dull period, whereas the semiconductor industry and AI sector have been the biggest winners of the past few years.
The geopolitical tension, supply chain shifts, and growing computational capacity needs have become strategically important. However, it is essential not to overlook gold and silver, who were the biggest winners in 2025.
In recent days, the semiconductor industry, AI sector, and precious metals have experienced very red days. We investigated what to expect from these narratives and whether there are any Hungarian players capable of achieving similar growth.
The AI sector has been one of the biggest winners in the past few years but is now experiencing a significant downturn, with major players such as SK Hynix (down 15%), Samsung Electronics (13% loss), Tokyo Electron and Advantest (10% each) all feeling the pain. The European market saw pressure on ASML due to rumors of a Chinese company developing its own DUV lithography equipment.
NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, and Micron were among the worst performers in the US, while the VanEck Semiconductor ETF has lost over 14% of its value in just a month. Senior Vice President Owen Lamont of Acadian Asset Management noted that 'currently, no one really knows how AI will shape the economy, so markets may experience more volatility.'
Gold and silver, which serve as important safe-havens amidst geopolitical uncertainty, are also experiencing weakness due to speculative activity withdrawal following last year's accumulation. This has led some investors to shift towards copper, a critical component in chip production, with the copper-to-gold ratio increasing by 40% since March 2026.