ETFs to Watch as Memory-Chip Scarcity Could Extend Through 2027

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ETFs to Watch as Memory-Chip Scarcity Could Extend Through 2027 Abhipsa Mukhopadhyay Wed, September 2, 2026 at 10:28 AM EDT 4 min read SNPS 005930.KS SKHY MU VLUE The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is creating a bottleneck for the semiconductor industry. As hyperscalers continue spending billions of dollars on AI data centers, the demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) used alongside advanced AI processors has surged, diverting production away from smartphones, PCs and other electronics. In January, Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi warned that the chip crunch could persist through 2026 and 2027, as memory manufacturers need at least two years to bring new capacity online, as quoted on CNBC. The supply constraint is particularly important because companies such as Samsung, SK Hynix SKHY and Micron Technology MU are directing a growing share of available memory capacity toward AI infrastructure. SK Hynixsaid on Aug. 27, 2026, that it expects the memory shortage to persist through 2030, while announcing a $4-billion Indiana facility for next-generation HBM4E packaging, per BENZINGA, as quoted on Yahoo Finance. The immediate beneficiaries are memory manufacturers. With supply tight and AI customers willing to pay for high-performance HBM, pricing power has shifted toward producers. This could support earnings and margins for companies such as Micron Technology, while sustained AI spending provides visibility for the broader semiconductor supply chain. For investors, however, the opportunity extends beyond memory manufacturers. Producing increasingly sophisticated AI chips requires advanced semiconductor manufacturing and equipment, meaning sustained AI infrastructure investment can benefit chip designers, foundries and equipment makers as well. At the same time, the shortage creates challenges for consumer electronics companies. Higher memory costs can raise the bill of materials for smartphones, PCs and laptops, potentially forcing manufacturers to increase prices. The memory shortage could extend the current semiconductor cycle rather than allowing the industry to quickly return to its traditional boom-and-bust pattern. If AI data center spending remains strong, HBM demand could keep memory producers operating in a favorable pricing environment, while chip equipment and manufacturing companies benefit from efforts to expand capacity. But the risk is that semiconductor valuations may already reflect a large portion of the AI growth story. A slowdown in AI infrastructure spending, weaker consumer-electronics demand or a faster-than-expected expansion in memory capacity could ease pricing pressure. Against this backdrop, investors can play MU, SKHY and Samsung-heavy ETFs that should benefit from the above-mentioned trends. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF VLUE tracks the performance of the MSCI USA Enhanced Value Index that measures the performance of U.S. large- and mid-capitalization stocks with value characteristics and relatively lower valuations, before fees and expenses. VLUE holds a massive weightage of 20.45% of MU in its portfolio. It has assets under management worth $9.72 billion and an expense ratio of 0.15%. The fund trades at an average daily volume of 1.24 million shares. Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF SHOC is a focused semiconductor ETF that gives investors exposure to U.S.-listed semiconductor companies, particularly firms benefiting from AI, data-center expansion and rising chip demand. The fund holds 13.57% of MU, enjoying the second spot in its portfolio. SHOC has assets under management worth $234.2 million and an expense ratio of 0.40%. The fund trades at an average daily volume of 19,049 shares. Roundhill Memory ETF DRAM is the basic memory technology behind modern computing, while HBM is its high-speed, AI-focused evolution. Samsungholds a massive weightage of 25.25%, along with MU having 25.10%, and SK Hynix holds a 21.80% weightage. DRAM has assets under management worth nearly $26 billion and an expense ratio of 0.65%. The fund trades at an average daily volume of 60.22 million shares. iShares MSCI South Korea ETF EWY is one of the main U.S.-listed ETFs for gaining broad exposure to South Korean equities with a major memory-chip component. Samsungholds a massive weightage of 21.96%, while SK Hynix holds 20.86% weightage. EWY has assets under management worth $27.98 billion and an expense ratio of 0.59%. The fund trades at an average daily volume of 21.71 million shares. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis Report iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY): ETF Research Reports iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE): ETF Research Reports Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF (SHOC): ETF Research Reports SK Hynix, Inc. - Sponsored ADR (SKHY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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