AI Stocks & Markets

Today's Stories

1. 1

   Buffett's 2016 Precision Castparts buy now a data center windfall

   Berkshire Hathaway's $37.2 billion（約6兆円） acquisition of Precision Castparts in 2016 — once written down by nearly $10 billion（約1.6兆円） during the pandemic — is now generating $2.4 billion（約3800億円） in annual operating cash flow, driven by demand for the company's specialty metal turbine components from AI data centers. Buffett's holding company lacks pure-play AI stocks like Nvidia or Palantir, but gains significant indirect exposure to the data center boom through Precision Castparts, which supplies hyperscalers (large cloud providers) that are turning to gas-powered turbines to power AI infrastructure. The turnaround transforms what appeared to be a failed acquisition into a lucrative positioning in a core AI infrastructure trend.

   Precision Castparts' operating cash flow has surged from $900 million（約1400億円） in 2021 (the pandemic low) to $2.4 billion（約3800億円） last year — well above the $1.7 billion（約2700億円） annual level before Berkshire acquired it — showing the scale of the data center tailwind.

2. 2

   Buffett's 2016 Precision Castparts buy now thriving on AI data center boom

   Berkshire Hathaway's 2016 acquisition of Precision Castparts for $37.2 billion（約6兆円）, once written down by nearly $10 billion（約1.6兆円） during the pandemic, is now delivering strong returns as the company supplies specialty metal components to hyperscalers building AI data centers. Operating cash flow jumped to $2.4 billion（約3800億円） last year from $900 million（約1400億円） in 2021. Though Berkshire owns no pure-play AI stocks like Nvidia, this subsidiary shows how the conglomerate gains AI exposure indirectly—and profitably. Gas-powered turbines powering data centers use similar components to jet engine turbines, playing to Precision Castparts' core strength in specialty aerospace and industrial components.

   Whether Greg Abel, Warren Buffett's successor, increases Berkshire's AI exposure going forward. The Precision Castparts case suggests Berkshire's long-term value-investing approach can capitalize on emerging AI trends without chasing them.

3. 3

   Supermicro shares soar 20% on record $60B backlog, margin beat

   Supermicro announced fourth-quarter gross margins (ended June 30, 2026) of 15%–17%, nearly doubling its prior forecast of 8.2%–8.4%, while revealing a $60 billion（約9.6兆円） order backlog accumulated in the quarter alone. Revenue is expected near the lower end of guidance at $11.0 billion（約1.8兆円） to $12.5 billion（約2兆円）. The dramatic margin expansion signals that AI server demand remains robust and that Supermicro can extract higher profitability even as revenue growth softens—a shift that rewarded investors with a 20% after-hours rally. The $60 billion（約9.6兆円） backlog locks in a substantial delivery pipeline that should support revenue in coming quarters, suggesting demand for AI infrastructure has not collapsed despite near-term slowdown.

   Supermicro will release full fourth-quarter and fiscal 2026 results on August 11 at 5:00 p.m. EDT, where the company will detail the product and customer mix changes that drove the margin beat and provide guidance on backlog fulfillment.

4. 4

   Taiwan Semiconductor outperforms AI boom with 32% gain, beating Nvidia

   Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) stock is up 32% year to date, outperforming the S&P 500 and rival AI chipmakers like Nvidia and Broadcom. According to Counterpoint Research, TSMC controls 73% of the chip manufacturing market, a share that has increased over recent years. The company announced plans to invest another $100 billion（約16兆円） in its Arizona foundry, bringing its total to $265 billion（約42兆円）, with CEO C.C. Wei stating it plans to open four more facilities there in addition to fabs at other U.S. locations. TSMC is the foundry partner behind nearly every major AI chip designer—Nvidia, Broadcom, Apple, Alphabet, and Advanced Micro Devices all rely on TSMC to physically manufacture their semiconductors. Because the company serves all major technology approaches (x86, ARM, and RISC-V architectures), it benefits from AI demand regardless of which chip designs or clients gain market share. Its diversified revenue base also extends beyond AI to smartphones and autonomous vehicles, reducing dependence on any single trend.

   TSMC's stock fell after its strong second-quarter earnings report, signaling investor concern about potential cuts to capital spending by hyperscalers (large cloud providers). Management expects demand to increase, but if major tech companies reduce infrastructure investment, it could pressure TSMC's near-term revenue.

5. 5

   S&P 500 Reclaims 50-Day Support; Chip Stocks Rally Ahead of Google, Tesla Earnings

   The S&P 500 regained its 50-day moving average as semiconductor stocks including SanDisk and Micron surged, leading a broad market rally. Chip stocks' strength signals renewed confidence in AI-related demand, and the index's recovery of key technical support suggests stabilization after recent weakness.

   Earnings announcements from Google and Tesla are forthcoming and could drive further market direction.

6. 6

   Super Micro Surges 15% on Record $60B+ Backlog

   Super Micro Computer shares rose more than 15% in extended trading after the server maker reported a record order backlog in excess of $60 billion（約9.6兆円）. Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue will fall on the low end of prior guidance at $11 billion（約1.8兆円） to $12.5 billion（約2兆円）, the company said Tuesday. Super Micro's backlog growth reflects sustained demand for its AI servers equipped with Nvidia chips, a key indicator of strength in the artificial intelligence infrastructure market. The company also reported gross margin guidance of 15% to 17%, signaling improved profitability as it works to control costs after aggressive spending to capture market share.

   The company's stock has declined 13% this year through the close, including a 28% drop on a single day last month after Super Micro announced a plan to raise $7 billion（約1.1兆円） through equity offerings. The preliminary results suggest execution progress, but investor skepticism from recent volatility remains a factor.