By Khadija Saeed
Publication Date: 2026-01-18 18:01:00
New York, Jan 18, 2026, 12:36 PM EST — Market closed.
- U.S. chip stocks closed last week on a stronger note, as the SOX semiconductor index rose roughly 1% Friday.
- Traders are digesting new U.S. restrictions on advanced AI chips alongside a U.S.-Taiwan agreement focused on chip investment.
- Intel’s Jan. 22 earnings will offer a key update on PC demand and foundry growth.
U.S. semiconductor shares head into the new week following a 1.15% gain in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (.SOX) on Friday, closing at 7,927.41. That late-week uptick managed to stick through the long weekend. (Nasdaq Global Index Watch)
Chip stocks have driven gains so far in 2026, boosted by a spike in memory companies linked to AI demand. The iShares Semiconductor ETF climbed 2.1% on Friday and has jumped almost 12% year-to-date, according to a Reuters report. (Kitco)
Trade policy has become a major cloud over the market. President Donald Trump slapped a 25% tariff on select AI chips — including Nvidia’s H200 and AMD’s MI325X — following a nine-month Section 232 investigation, a U.S. statute permitting tariffs for national security reasons. (Reuters)
The White House described the 25% tariff as “phase one,” while a U.S. official indicated more announcements might come as talks with countries and companies progress. Reuters reported that Trump has earlier threatened a 100% tariff on chips produced outside the United States. (Reuters)
South Korea’s…