Beyond Nvidia: Taiwan Semiconductor and the Rise of AI Leaders

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a rising star in the AI race, with a 252% return in the past five years and an 18.1% gain so far this year. The company manufactures chips for industry titans such as Nvidia, Apple, and AMD, and has a competitive moat through technological advancements and long-term relationships. TSMC is diversifying its manufacturing base and has plans to build advanced facilities in Arizona, Japan, and Germany. Analysts expect earnings to rise by 34.1% in 2025 and another 15% in 2026. The stock trades at around 24x forward earnings, making it a more conservative entry point compared to Nvidia's 36x valuation. Wall Street believes the stock is a "Strong Buy."