
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, NVIDIA, Apple, Advanced Micro Devices, Broadcom and Intel
Chicago, IL – July 21, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. TSM, NVIDIA Corp. NVDA, Apple Inc. AAPL, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD, Broadcom Inc. AVGO and Intel Corp. INTC.
Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:
3 Reasons to Buy Taiwan Semi Besides +61% Q2 Profit Surge
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., or TSMC, recently reported a record surge in second-quarter profit as it continues to benefit from the artificial intelligence (AI) megatrend. TSMC is also expected to grow further for three main reasons. Let's examine those reasons and what makes TSMC stock a compelling buy now.
TSMC's Positive Q2 Results & Outlook Boosts Share Price
On Thursday, TSMC reported that its net income surged 60.7% year over year to NT$398.27 billion in the second quarter, a record high and significantly higher than estimates. TSMC's revenues for the June quarter came in at NT$933.80 billion, up 38.7% year on year, and above projections.
TSMC's second-quarter sales rose as demand for AI chips remained strong. The company's high-performance computing division, which includes AI and 5G applications, accounted for 60% of the second-quarter revenues. Strong demand for TSMC's progressive 3nm and 5nm node semiconductor chips also contributed to revenue growth.
Banking on the growing demand for TSMC's advanced processors for clients, including NVIDIA Corp. and Apple Inc., the company projected third-quarter revenues between $31.8 billion and $33.0 billion, up 38% year over year. For 2025, TSMC expects revenues to surge nearly 30% when measured in U.S. dollar terms.
After the recent positive quarterly results and an optimistic forecast, TSMC stock popped. TSMC's shares have outperformed the Semiconductor - Circuit Foundry industry year to date (+24.2% vs. 20.3%).
3 More Reasons to Be Bullish on TSMC Stock
TSMC holds a leading position in the semiconductor industry. It controls nearly 67% of semiconductor manufacturing, giving it significant pricing power. Being the first to introduce the third-party foundry model also grants TSMC dominance in the chip foundry sector. Regarding dominance, all major players in the industry, such as NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and Broadcom Inc., are the key customers of TSMC. Conversely, TSMC's competitor, Intel Corp., has faced recent difficulties.
TSMC also faces headwinds from President Donald Trump's tariffs. Taiwan is subject to 32% tariffs, with Trump warning of further tariffs on semiconductors. U.S. export controls also restrict TSMC's business with China. However, recently, NVIDIA and AMD received assurance from the U.S. government to ship products to China, which is a positive development for TSMC as well. Additionally, TSMC is expanding beyond Taiwan, with plans to establish manufacturing plants in Japan, Germany and the United States soon.
Manufacturing a semiconductor plant is not easy; it involves a complex and cumbersome process. The technology is not only intricate but also requires significant capital investment. As a result, many advanced companies have chosen not to build their facilities and instead rely on TSMC. This high barrier to entry has helped TSMC keep potential rivals at bay.
TSMC Stock to Buy Hand Over Fist
While encouraging second-quarter results boosted TSMC's stock price, the company is primed for growth in the years ahead due to its competitive advantages, expansion efforts and significant barriers to entry in the semiconductor industry, where it already holds a dominant position.
Brokers are also optimistic about the company's prospects. They predict TSMC stock's average short-term price target at $244.75, reflecting a 3% increase from the last closing price of $237.56. The highest target stands at $270, suggesting a potential upside of 13.7%.
Additionally, the $9.54 Zacks Consensus Estimate for TSMC's earnings per share has increased 15.5% annually. TSMC, therefore, rightfully holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
Research Chief Names "Single Best Pick to Double"
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
This company targets millennial and Gen Z audiences, generating nearly $1 billion in revenue last quarter alone. A recent pullback makes now an ideal time to jump aboard. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
https://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
One Big Gain, Every Trading Day
To help you take full advantage of this market, you're invited to access every stock recommendation in all our private portfolios - for just $1.
Zacks private portfolio services that closed 256 double and triple-digit winners in 2024 alone. That's about one big gain every day the market was open. Of course, not all our picks are winners, but members have seen recent gains as high as +627% +1,340%, and +1,708%.
Imagine how much you could profit with a steady stream of real-time picks from all our services that cover a number of strategies to suit a variety of investing and trading styles.
See Stocks Now >>
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
Intel Corporation (INTC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD): Free Stock Analysis Report
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA): Free Stock Analysis Report
Broadcom Inc. (AVGO): Free Stock Analysis Report

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Franklin (FSP) Q2 Revenue Down 13%
Key Points GAAP EPS loss of $0.08 matched analyst expectations for Q2 2025, signaling ongoing weak profitability. The company reflected a shrinking portfolio and lower occupancy. Portfolio leased percentage slid to 69.1%, continuing a downward trend largely due to lease expirations. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Franklin Street Properties (NYSEMKT:FSP), an office-focused real estate investment trust, released its financial results on July 29, 2025. The main takeaway was a GAAP net loss in line with muted analyst expectations, with earnings per share (EPS) of $(0.08) (GAAP), matching the estimated figure. Revenue was $26.7 million, driven by shrinking occupancy and reduced rental rates. These numbers highlight persistent operational challenges, including lower portfolio occupancy and ongoing cash flow pressures. The quarter failed to show meaningful operational improvement, with most financial and operating metrics revealing continued softness in the office real estate market. Metric Q2 2025 Q2 2025 Estimate Q2 2024 Y/Y Change EPS (GAAP) ($0.08) ($0.08) ($0.20) ($0.01) Revenue $26.7 million $30.8 million (13.3%) Funds From Operations (FFO) per share $0.02 $0.04 (50.0%) Adjusted Funds From Operations (AFFO) per share ($0.00) $0.01 400.0% Owned Portfolio Leased Percentage 69.1% 70.3%(as of December 31, 2024) (1.2) pp Source: Analyst estimates for the quarter provided by FactSet. Business Overview and Focus Franklin Street Properties specializes in owning and managing office properties in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the Sunbelt and Mountain West regions. The portfolio is concentrated in Texas, Colorado, and Minnesota. As of June 30, 2025, its directly owned portfolio held 14 properties totaling approximately 4.8 million square feet. The company has recently centered its strategy on two primary areas. First, it aims to increase leasing in its existing properties to improve occupancy and rental income. Second, it continues to pursue selective property sales, using the proceeds to pay down debt. Especially while the office leasing environment remains in flux after the pandemic, key success for Franklin Street Properties depends on managing occupancy rates, responding to evolving tenant preferences, and making effective acquisition and disposition decisions. Quarter in Detail: Operational Trends and Financial Results The second quarter revealed persistent challenges in filling available office space. The percentage of the portfolio that was leased slipped to 69.1%, dropping from 70.3% leased at year-end 2024. Year-to-date leasing activity reached 187,000 square feet for the six months ended June 30, 2025, but most of that was due to renewals and expansions, not new tenants. New leasing volume remained limited as potential tenants delayed making long-term decisions. The average lease term on leases signed during the six months ended June 30, 2025, was 6.3 years, matching the average during the year ended December 31, 2024, offering some stability in overall portfolio duration. Rental performance weakened further in the quarter. the portfolio-wide average rent per occupied square foot dropped from $31.77 at year-end 2024 to $30.98 at June 30, 2025. The decrease in the average leased percentage for the six months ended June 30, 2025, resulted mainly from lease expirations outpacing new occupancies. The company reported revenue of $26.7 million, reflecting the combination of falling occupancy and declining rent per square foot. Funds from operations (FFO), a widely used metric in the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector that adjusts net income to account for non-cash charges like depreciation, fell to $0.02 per share. Adjusted funds from operations (AFFO), a non-GAAP metric that further removes capital expenditure costs and other recurring cash items, swung from a slight positive in Q2 2024 to approximately break-even in Q2 2025. The company continued with selective property sales, aiming to reduce its outstanding debt, which stood at about $250 million at March 31, 2025. The total cash balance fell to $30.5 million. The major remaining asset in the Monument Circle REIT was sold this quarter. $8.0 million in capital expenditures for tenant improvements, leasing costs, and necessary property updates during the six months ended June 30, 2025. The portfolio included nearly 44.5% of the portfolio's space in Colorado, Texas accounted for 39.7% of portfolio square footage, and the remainder in Minnesota. Management highlighted continued difficulty in the Minneapolis market, with some optimism that large tenants like Target may boost occupancy, but no immediate improvement was seen. In Texas, especially Houston, management noted relatively firmer tenant demand compared to other regions, although this was not enough to materially change portfolio metrics during the quarter. Franklin Street Properties also remained in a strategic review, exploring options ranging from further property sales to potentially selling the company or refinancing. The review process is continuing without a stated timeline, and no further guidance was given on when an outcome might be expected. The quarterly dividend remained unchanged at $0.01 per share, representing a token payout. This level has persisted despite ongoing negative cash flow on an adjusted basis. No change was declared or announced for the quarter. Looking Ahead Management did not provide financial guidance for the next quarter or for fiscal 2025. The stated reason remains uncertainty surrounding the timing and amounts of proceeds from potential property sales, combined with broader economic conditions affecting leasing demand. Leadership reiterated that its ongoing review will determine medium-term strategy but provided no specifics on likely outcomes or a decision timeline. For investors tracking Franklin Street Properties in the coming quarters, a few indicators will be critical. Occupancy rates, new leasing activity, and progress on asset sales all have direct financial implications. Questions remain about the ability to stabilize cash flow, reduce debt further, and support any meaningful dividend. No guidance was offered by management, leaving near-term prospects highly dependent on progress in those operational and strategic areas. Revenue and net income presented using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) unless otherwise noted. Where to invest $1,000 right now When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,039%* — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 182% for the S&P 500. They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 29, 2025


Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Single-Stock ETFs in Focus as Big Tech Earnings Unfold
Earnings reports from major tech giants are in focus this week, with Meta Platforms META, Microsoft MSFT, Apple AAPL and Amazon AMZN set to announce results. These updates are expected to provide crucial insights into their future growth strategies, particularly around AI and infrastructure investments. Except for Apple, these stocks have been key drivers of the market's rally from the April lows to fresh all-time highs. Microsoft and Meta have each surged over 30% in the past three months, while Amazon is up 24%, underscoring strong investor confidence in their AI leadership. All three are heavily investing in data centers and infrastructure critical to powering large language models and other AI technologies. Apple, meanwhile, has been a notable laggard, gaining just 2% during the same period as it faces slowing device sales and investor skepticism over its AI roadmap. As a group, the so-called 'Magnificent 7' is expected to report a 14% year-over-year increase in second-quarter earnings on 11.9% higher revenues, highlighting the sector's continued strength despite a mixed macro backdrop (read: Big Tech Earnings Coming Up: Spotlight on Mag 7 ETFs). Microsoft Microsoft is scheduled to report on July 30 after market close. Microsoft has an Earnings ESP of -0.64% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). According to our methodology, the combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 or 3 (Hold) increases the chances of an earnings beat. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they're reported with our Earnings ESP Filter. Microsoft saw no earnings estimate revision over the past 30 days for the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Its earnings track record is impressive, with the four-quarter earnings surprise being 5.21%, on average. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates earnings growth of 13.56% and revenue growth of 13.88% from the year-ago quarter. The world's largest software company will continue to grow as artificial intelligence applications drive more cloud infrastructure usage. Microsoft's Azure cloud business is benefiting from the company's partnership with AI leader OpenAI. Wall Street is clearly bullish on the world's largest software company heading into the results, raising the target price on the stock. Evercore ISI raised its price target to $545.00 from $515.00, citing that the company's momentum in Azure and AI will continue to drive "durable double-digit top and bottom line growth.' Wedbush lifted the price target to $6000. According to Wedbush, the company "is just hitting its next phase of monetization on the AI front," thanks to the adoption of Copilot, its chatbot and the cloud-computing platform Azure (read: ETFs to Surge as Microsoft Tops $3.5T, Reclaims Top Spot). T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF MSFX and Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares MSFU seek to track two times the performance of the stock of Microsoft. MSFU is slightly cheaper, charging 99 bps in annual fees, while MSFX has a 1.05% expense ratio. Meta Platforms Meta Platforms will also report second-quarter 2025 earnings on July 30 after market close. It has an Earnings ESP of +2.91% and a Zacks Rank #1. The social media giant saw a positive earnings estimate revision of five cents for the second quarter over the past seven days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the yet-to-be-reported quarter indicates substantial year-over-year earnings growth of 12.98%. Revenues are expected to increase 14.77% year over year. Meta Platforms delivered an earnings surprise of 17.30%, on average, in the last four quarters. Meta's AI strategy now serves as the backbone of its business transformation. The company has now committed $60-70 billion in capital expenditure for this year, with the lion's share earmarked for AI infrastructure. This includes cutting-edge data centers like Prometheus and Hyperion, as well as the deployment of NVIDIA's Grace Hopper Superchip. These bold investments are already delivering results across Meta's platforms. The 30% adoption of Advantage+ is driving a 5% boost in Reels conversion rates. AI-driven recommendations have lifted time spent on Facebook by 7% and on Threads by a remarkable 35%. Instagram Reels engagement is up 24%, fueled by improved algorithmic personalization. The world's largest social media platform projects revenues in the range of $42.5-$45.5 billion for the second quarter. As such, single-stock ETFs targeting META have been in focus. GraniteShares 2x Long META Daily ETF FBL and Direxion Daily META Bull 2X Shares METU are the two available options. Both funds track two times the performance of Meta Platforms stock. META is slightly cheap, charging 95 bps in annual fees, while FBL has a 1.15% expense ratio. Apple Apple has an Earnings ESP of +3.52% and a Zacks Rank #3. Apple saw a positive earnings estimate revision of a penny over the past 30 days for the fiscal third quarter of 2025. The iPhone maker has a strong track record of positive earnings surprises. It delivered an average earnings surprise of 4.68% in the trailing four quarters. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a modest year-over-year increase of 1.43% for earnings and 3.67% for revenues. On the last earnings call, the iPhone maker guided 'low to mid-single digit' sales growth for the fiscal third quarter. Chief executive Tim Cook warned that Apple is likely to face a $900 million headwind as a result of tariffs. He added that it is 'very difficult' to predict beyond June due to uncertainties surrounding the U.S.-China trade policy. Apple is scheduled to report on July 31 after market close. Investors seeking exposure to Apple ahead of its earnings could consider T-Rex 2X Long Apple Daily Target ETF AAPX, GraniteShares 2x Long AAPL Daily ETF AAPB and Direxion Daily AAPL Bull 2X AAPU. The trio tracks 200% of the daily percentage change of the common stock of Apple. AAPB is costlier, charging a high expense ratio of 1.65% while AAPX has an expense ratio of 1.05%. AAPU charges 89 bps in annual fees from investors. Amazon Amazon will also release its results on July 31 after market close. The stock has an Earnings ESP of +7.37% and a Zacks Rank #1. The company saw a positive earnings estimate revision of a penny over the past seven days for the second quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings increase of 8.13% and substantial revenue growth of 9.67% for the to-be-reported quarter. Additionally, Amazon's earnings surprise history is impressive, with the four-quarter average surprise being 20.68%. Amazon continues to dominate the e-commerce business and is expanding its footprint in cloud computing, advertising and various other sectors. The world's largest online retailer projected revenues of $159-$164 billion for the second quarter of 2025. Blockbuster Prime Day Event sales are likely to boost revenues for the company (read: 5 ETFs to Profit From Amazon's Longest-Ever Prime Day Event). Like other tech companies, Amazon is ramping up investments in data centers, chips and the power needed for AI workloads. It is also investing in its own computer chips and those developed by NVIDIA. However, CFO Brian Olsavsky, on the last earnings call, issued a cautious outlook due to uncertain consumer demand in the face of President Trump's shifting tariff policies. Direxion Daily AMZN Bull 2X Shares ETF AMZU tracks two times the performance of Amazon shares, charging 87 bps in annual fees. Boost Your Portfolio with Our Top ETF Insights Zacks' exclusive Fund Newsletter delivers actionable information, top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, straight to your inbox every week. Don't miss out on this valuable resource. It's free! Get it now >> 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 Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Meta Platforms, Inc. (META): Free Stock Analysis Report


Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Ford Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today reported second quarter 2025 financial results and reinstated full-year 2025 guidance. The company also declared a third-quarter regular dividend of 15 cents per share, payable on Sept. 2 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 11. Visit the company's Investor Relations website at to view the earnings release, earnings presentation and other supporting material. At 5:00 p.m. ET, Ford and Ford Motor Credit Company management will hold a conference call to discuss these financial results . For the webcast, click here. Representatives of the investment community will be able to ask questions on the call. The webcast will be available for replay for approximately one week following the call at this link. About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company's Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities, and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company offers freedom of choice through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles ('EVs') along with embedded software that defines always-on digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, the Company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 169,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at