StocksMediumUpdated×32•Originally published 15 April 2026•Updated 17 April 2026•

1 min read

Semiconductor and Software Stocks Lead Record Market Rally as Oil Prices Retreat

Key Facts

1Market focus is shifting away from the Iran conflict back toward the AI rally.

2Oil prices remain near $100 per barrel despite the market shaking off geopolitical conflict.

3Five under-the-radar semiconductor stocks are identified as having strong momentum.

Financial markets experienced a sharp positive reversal at the end of the week, as semiconductor and software stocks rebounded to lead a record-breaking rally that offset previous geopolitical sell-offs. A significant drop in crude oil prices helped ease inflationary concerns, paving the way for a surge in travel sector stocks. Despite initial fears regarding supply chain disruptions, high-growth tech shares regained momentum as investor optimism regarding digital infrastructure capital expenditure resurfaced. The decline in energy prices further bolstered risk appetite across various sectors, pushing major indices to historic highs. Analysts are now monitoring the sustainability of this rally amid strong institutional flows into specialized ETFs such as the SOXX.

6 months ago

Version History

Version 326 months ago

What changed: Market sentiment shifted from a geopolitical sell-off to a record-breaking rally led by tech hardware and software, supported by a significant decline in oil prices.

Version 316 months ago

What changed: The narrative shifted from ceasefire-driven optimism to risk aversion following military strikes in Iran and a decline in Nvidia shares.

Version 306 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include increased hedge fund interest and technical breakout levels for selected semiconductor stocks.

Version 296 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include EFOI's 235% surge, Critical Metals' regulatory breakthrough, and Lifezone Metals' commencement of precious metals production.

Version 286 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include a comparative investment analysis between NVIDIA and Applied Materials, highlighting NVIDIA's edge in the data center market.

Version 276 months ago

What changed: Updated the story with new data on the SOXX ETF, including AUM and performance metrics, alongside 2026 capital expenditure projections for hyperscalers.

Version 266 months ago

What changed: Added the 'Buy' rating for the FTXL ETF and highlighted structural drivers such as power infrastructure and index methodology.

Version 256 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include a new investment thesis from BTIG suggesting a potential rotation toward software stocks by 2026.

Version 246 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include the strong performance of ON Semiconductor, which achieved a nine-day winning streak following an upgrade by Bank of America.

Version 236 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include the specific cease-fire agreement with Iran and its positive impact on memory stocks like Micron.

Version 226 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include ASML's strong growth performance and the rising importance of semiconductor ETFs as key investment vehicles.

Version 216 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include the impact of geopolitical de-escalation and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on chip equipment and component suppliers like Teradyne and Applied Materials.

Version 206 months ago

What changed: TSMC raised its 2026 revenue guidance to 30%+, reported a fourth straight record profit quarter, and highlighted capacity constraints, boosting partner stocks like AMD.

Version 196 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to reflect AI's transition into an industrial growth phase and included new valuation projections for Nvidia reaching a $10 trillion market cap.

Version 186 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include Broadcom and Micron outpacing Nvidia in growth momentum, while adding positive sector projections through 2026.

Version 176 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include the impact of the ceasefire on market sentiment and Goldman Sachs' new focus on Capex and 'AI building blocks'.

Version 166 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include Goldman Sachs' projections regarding the acceleration of enterprise-level spending on AI data centers.

Version 156 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include Nvidia's massive rally and AI demand projections through 2030, alongside analyst views suggesting that the market may be underpricing long-term growth potential.

Version 146 months ago

What changed: Updated the story with TSMC's Q1 earnings figures, including the profit beat, smartphone revenue decline, and management's cautious guidance on geopolitical risks.

Version 136 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include Nvidia's performance following a 10-day winning streak and the broader return of investor confidence in AI-driven trades.

Version 126 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include Aixtron's positive performance following its upward revision of 2026 revenue guidance.

Version 116 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include Taiwan's market cap surpassing the UK's and TSMC reporting record-breaking Q1 profits.

Version 106 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include global stocks hitting record highs on Iran ceasefire bets, cautious rate commentary from the BOE Governor, and positive S&P 500 futures momentum.

Version 96 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include new record highs for the Nasdaq and S&P 500, along with Bitcoin's rally past the $75,000 mark.

Version 86 months ago

What changed: Updated to highlight the outperformance of memory stocks over Nvidia, the structural supply-demand imbalance, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on market rotation.

Version 76 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include Barron's reports on ASML and Broadcom, bank executives' comments on economic resilience, and Amazon's deal with Globalstar.

Version 66 months ago

What changed: Updated the report to reflect TSMC's actual Q1 financial results, showing a 58% profit jump which exceeded the previously projected 50% surge.

Version 56 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include Oppenheimer's price target hike for Marvell Technology (MRVL) and details regarding its collaborations with Google and Amazon for AI chip development.

Version 46 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include Intel's (INTC) surge above $65 and its established 52-week price range.

Version 36 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include new data regarding a 95% surge in SMCI options activity, suggesting a potential 'smart money' reversal play within the broader semiconductor narrative.

Version 26 months ago

What changed: Updated the story to include the sharp intraday decline in Micron and SanDisk shares despite the broader sector momentum.

Version 16 months ago

What changed: The story was updated to include TSMC's record-breaking profit projections, with an expected 50% surge in net income providing fundamental support for the AI sector rally.