European chip, electrical stocks surge as AI optimism builds on earnings

By Ozan Ergenay and Danilo ‌Masoni

April 22 (Reuters) - Shares ​in European ​chip and electrical equipment makers rallied on Wednesday as investors piled into stocks set to benefit from the artificial intelligence investment boom, following upbeat ‌earnings reports and an outsized surge in U.S. peers.

Computer chip equipment maker ⁠ASM International surged 9% to an all-time high after it guided for second‑quarter sales well ahead of market ‌expectations, with analysts highlighting robust AI-driven ‌demand.

Swiss engineering company ABB raised its full-year outlook, saying booming demand from data centres and other parts of its electrification business offset heightened uncertainties linked to the Iran ​war. Its shares also hit a new record.

The rally in European semiconductor shares and other companies seen as beneficiaries of the AI infrastructure build-out in the region mirrors ⁠gains in the Philadelphia SOX index, the U.S. benchmark for the sector.

The index has risen for 15 consecutive sessions—the ​longest winning streak since at least 2014—gaining 35% over that period, its strongest performance in around 24 years.

Barclays said a long stretch of ​weak investment in developed markets is giving way to ‌an AI-led upswing, lifting demand for semiconductors and related infrastructure.

The UK bank expects investment growth to accelerate from 2026 as AI build-outs gather ⁠pace, alongside spending on defence, energy security and supply-chain security.

"While AI spending has lifted U.S. corporate capex cycle higher, investments are yet to pick up meaningfully in Europe. We think the U.S.-Iran war ⁠should add further impetus to the theme," Barclays strategist Emmanuel Cau wrote.

"AI/Hyperscaler spending continues to drive strong ​earnings uplift in Semis, Electricals and boosting infrastructure names despite elevated valuations/positioning," he added.

German chipmakers and suppliers Aixtron, Infineon and Siltronic rose between 2.2% and 3.1%, while ASML, STMicroelectronics and BESI gained between 1.5% ‌and 2.3%.

ASML, the world's largest supplier of chipmaking tools, last week reported stronger-than-expected earnings and lifted its 2026 revenue outlook as AI ‌boosts demand for its equipment.

Elsewhere in the engineering and electrical equipment sector, Schneider Electric and Legrand ⁠were also up 1.5% and 2%, ‌respectively.

The broader European tech index ​was up 1.2%, among the best performers on the wider STOXX 600.

(Reporting by Ozan Ergenay in Gdansk and Danilo Masoni in Milan, editing by ‌Milla Nissi-Prussak)

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