Tech services are failing to take nudify AI tools offline.
A report about how much money these websites are making found that 62 of the 85 websites it examined had hosting or content delivery services provided by Amazon and Cloudflare. Google's sign-on system was also used on 54 of the websites, alongside several other services and payment systems provided by mainstream tech companies.
'They should have ceased providing any and all services to AI nudifiers when it was clear that their only use case was sexual harassment,' said Indicator co-founder Alexios Mantzarlis. AI 'Nudify' Websites Are Raking in Millions of Dollars
[wired.com]
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Looking for AI Chip Stocks Beyond Nvidia? Goldman Sachs Says These 2 Names Deserve a Look
The AI boom has been generating hype and headlines for several years now, and deservedly so. It's transforming the way businesses operate, reshaping everything from data crunching and decision-making to customer service and content generation. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. AI might exist in a data cloud, but it requires hardware. The AI companies need data centers, high-performance computers, and advanced networking – and all of that requires silicon semiconductors, many of them custom-designed. Chip giant Nvidia, with its $4 trillion market cap, is the 800-pound gorilla in this room, but there are other names that investors can look to for profits. Covering the fields of tech, AI, and semiconductors, Goldman Sachs analyst James Schneider points out the contours of the field and its opportunities, writing: 'We believe the AI investment cycle is in a state of transition, with over $350bn in CapEx spent on AI infrastructure. Although monetization has been elusive, we see early signs of incremental revenue and much clearer evidence of cost takeout to justify these investments – and we believe AI CapEx can sustain growth from current levels.' Schneider follows on from these comments by tagging two chip names that deserve a closer look. It doesn't hurt that both stocks also carry Strong Buy ratings from the broader Street, according to the TipRanks database. Let's take a closer look. Cadence Design Systems (CDNS) The first stock on our radar here is Cadence Design, a high-tech firm from San Jose, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Cadence provides the technology and support necessary for some of our world's most important industries to thrive. The company uses its Intelligent Design System to develop its products and software, and its services are in high demand everywhere from the chip industry to the pharmaceutical sector. Cadence's solutions include 3D-IC design, 5G systems, Artificial Intelligence and generative AI, an extensive cloud portfolio, data center design, multiphysics systems analysis – it's a long list, as Cadence has connections across the tech world. Its products and tech are used in a wide range of essential secondary products, including silicon chips, integrated circuit boards – items that are used everywhere from the aerospace sector to the life sciences, and including plenty of AI applications. It's not just that Cadence's own work is applicable to AI, but also that the company uses AI, and AI-powered applications, to support its work and develop its product lines. The company uses agentic AI to help engineers meet the challenges presented by the latest chip designs, and its generative AI platform has the potential to transform semiconductor chip design. Finally, Cadence's AI IP platform provides comprehensive solutions in the worlds of IP and software. When we look ahead, we see that Cadence's contribution to chip design gives the company a strong foundation from which to grow. Hyperscale AI and cloud providers – think Amazon, Google, and Microsoft – have a definite need for custom chips that are designed to handle high volumes at lower cost, and Cadence is well-placed to fill that niche. Turning to Cadence's financial performance, we find that in 1Q25, at the bottom line, the non-GAAP EPS of $1.57 was up 40 cents per share from 1Q24 and was 7 cents higher than the forecast. Revenue, at $1.24 billion, was up 23% year-over-year and met Street expectations. Cadence finished Q1 with a work backlog of $6.4 billion. For Goldman's Schneider, the key points here are the quality of Cadence's business and the high potential of the company to continue growing. He says of this AI-adjacent tech firm, 'We see Cadence as one of the most high-quality compounding businesses in our coverage, with exposure to multiple drivers of growth throughout the industry. We see long-term growth driven by the diffusion of custom chip design across a broader range of customers with an outsized need for IP…' Based on this stance, Schneider rates CDNS as a Buy, which he complements with a $380 price target that suggests a one-year upside potential to the stock of 19.5%. (To watch Schneider's track record, click here) Cadence has a Strong Buy consensus rating from the Street's analysts, based on 15 recent reviews which break down 14 to 1 in favor of Buy over Hold. The shares are priced at $318.04 and their $338.64 average price target implies a 6.5% gain for the next 12 months. (See CDNS stock forecast) Broadcom, Inc. (AVGO) Next up is a company more directly tied to the field of AI chips. Broadcom is a giant of the chip industry; with its market cap of $1.30 trillion, it's the second-largest chip maker on the global scene – and the eighth-largest publicly traded company on Wall Street. While Broadcom's business has been built on a wide variety of products and product lines, from cable modems to fiber optics to wireless connectivity, the company's current strengths include AI-capable chips and application-specific integrated circuits, or ASICs. These are a key technology in the AI field and also underlie the functioning of cloud-based systems. ASICs are custom-made to the buyer's/user's specifications, which makes them more efficient in terms of power consumption and processing speed. In AI, cloud, and data center applications, these are vital advantages. Broadcom is known as a solid provider of silicon chips and other technology in the data center world, able to provide, at any scale, the hardware needed to build out high-performance server stacks and to develop and maintain high-speed connectivity. The company is also working on the next generation of AI-capable technologies, from connectivity solutions to custom accelerators, that will revolutionize the AI industry in ways that are still just in the outline stage. Broadcom's development work is part of a coherent strategy that will keep the company relevant as a technology supplier as the AI sector evolves. The company's current success, and its sheer scale, give it a sound foundation for continued leadership in the field. Broadcom's leading position in data center switching, and its reputation for high-quality, high-speed networking, are both attractive to the AI industry's hyperscalers, and the company can leverage its own scale to meet the needs of its largest customers. In the recently reported fiscal 2Q25, Broadcom generated $15 billion in total revenue. This figure was up 20% from fiscal 2Q24, and it beat the forecast by $30 million. The company's earnings came to $1.58 per share by non-GAAP measures, a penny better than had been estimated. Management attributed $4.4 billion of the quarterly revenue to AI, a subtotal that was up 46% year-over-year. The gain in AI revenue was supported by strong demand for AI networking. Scale and profitability are valuable assets for any company, especially one targeting an industry experiencing the powerful growth that currently characterizes AI. This caught the attention of Goldman Sachs, and when we check in again with analyst Schneider, we find him upbeat on AVGO, writing, 'We believe the company will leverage its leadership in enterprise networking silicon to drive outsized share in custom silicon for hyperscalers, with AI likely comprising over 40% of revenue by 2026. Broadcom also continues to generate steady, growing profitability in its infrastructure software business. We see the stock's premium valuation as justified by the visibility provided by sole-sourcing at silicon accounts and the mission-critical nature of its software portfolio.' Schneider puts a Buy rating on AVGO, and his price target of $315 implies that the stock will gain 12% by this time next year. Broadcom has picked up 30 recent analyst reviews, and these have a lopsided split of 28 Buys to 2 Holds to support the Strong Buy consensus rating. Shares in AVGO are currently trading for $280.94, and their $300.96 average price target points toward a one-year gain of 7%. (See AVGO stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment. Disclaimer & DisclosureReport an Issue Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
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Nvidia-Supplier Taiwan Semiconductor On A Roll, Profit Explodes With Strong Margin Growth
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) stock soared Thursday after the contract chipmaker delivered second-quarter results that blew past analyst expectations, driven by insatiable global demand for its advanced processor technologies essential for artificial intelligence applications. As a key supplier to tech giants like Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) for its graphics processing units (GPUs) and Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) for its smartphones, the company's strong results underscore its critical role in the global technology ecosystem. The company also provided an optimistic revenue forecast for the third quarter, further boosting investor confidence. Taiwan Semiconductor reported quarterly net sales of $30.07 billion (933.79 billion New Taiwanese dollars), up 38.6% year-over-year (Y/Y), topping the analyst consensus estimate of $30.04 billion. Net sales grew 11.3% quarter over quarter (Q/Q).Net income and earnings per share were $398.27 billion New Taiwanese dollars and 15.36 New Taiwanese dollars per share (or $2.47), up by 60.7% Y/Y, topping the analyst consensus estimate of $2.37. In U.S. dollar terms, revenue growth was 44.4% Y/Y and up by 17.8% Q/Q. The top-line performance topped the company's guidance of $28.4 billion-$29.2 billion. The company said 3-nm accounted for 24% of the total revenue, 5-nm accounted for 36%, and 7-nm technologies accounted for 14%. Advanced technologies (7nm and below) accounted for 74% of total wafer revenue. By platform, High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Smartphone represented 60% and 27% of net revenue, respectively, while IoT, Automotive, DCE, and Others each represented 5%, 5%, 1%, and 2%. From a geographic perspective, revenue from customers based in North America accounted for 75% of total net revenue in 2Q25, while revenue from China, Asia Pacific, Japan, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) accounted for 9%, 9%, 4%, and 3% of total net revenue, respectively. Margin Profile Taiwan Semiconductor's AI technology moat helped it expand its quarterly gross margins by 540 bps to 58.6%. The operating margin expanded by 710 bps to 49.6%. View more earnings on TSM CFO Wendell Huang expects its business to be supported by strong demand for its leading-edge process technologies for the third quarter. During the second quarter, net cash generated from operating activities totaled 497.07 billion New Taiwanese dollars ($17.05 billion). Capital expenditures for the company on a consolidated basis totaled $9.63 billion in the second quarter of 2025. The company's cash and marketable securities stood at $90.36 billion at the end of the quarter. Outlook Taiwan Semiconductor guided third-quarter 2025 revenue of $31.8 billion to $33.0 billion versus the $32.7 billion analyst consensus estimate. It expects a gross margin of 55.5% to 57.5% and operating profit margins of 45.5% to 47.5%. In a notable development, Taiwan Semiconductor's Chairman, C.C. Wei, announced a significant increase in the company's investment in U.S. chip manufacturing in March. This new commitment of $100 billion came in addition to the $65 billion previously pledged in April 2024 for three fabrication plants in Arizona, one of which was already operational. Taiwan Semiconductor stock gained over 20% year-to-date and 57% in the last three months. During the same periods, the PHLX Semiconductor Index (which includes Taiwan Semiconductor) gained over 14% and 48%. The stock also got a boost from this week's reports indicating the Trump administration's plans to announce roughly $70 billion in AI and energy investments in Pennsylvania, and the U.S. government's move to ease certain chip export restrictions to China. However, the company acknowledged in June potential future headwinds due to President Donald Trump's trade policies, particularly his threats of 'reciprocal tariffs' on Taiwan. Taiwan is currently subject to 32% tariffs imposed in April and is engaged in trade discussions with the U.S. Furthermore, Trump previously indicated the possibility of additional tariffs on semiconductors. According to Reuters, the company noted that key client Nvidia had recently been allowed by the U.S. government to resume sales to China of its H20 AI chip. Taiwan Semiconductor Chief Executive C.C. Wei told a press conference, 'China is a big market, and my customer can continue to supply the chip to the big market, and it's very positive news for them and in return it's very positive news for Taiwan Semiconductor.' However, Wei indicated that the momentum for fourth-quarter earnings might differ. 'We are taking into consideration the possible impact of tariffs and a lot of other uncertainties, so we are becoming more conservative,' he said, though he added that Taiwan Semiconductor had yet to see any changes in customer behavior so far. Price Action: TSM stock is trading higher by 4.10% to $247.30 premarket at last check Thursday. Photo by Jack Hong via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR (TSM): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Nvidia-Supplier Taiwan Semiconductor On A Roll, Profit Explodes With Strong Margin Growth originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
13 minutes ago
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TSMC's profit soared by 60% on the back of solid AI chip demand
Chipmaking giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) reported better-than-expected results for the second quarter and also fuelled investors' hopes by raising its 2025 outlook. The firm, delivering to Apple and Nvidia among others, is benefiting from big tech companies' hunger to build their AI capacities, resulting in a resilient demand for high-end semiconductors. For the three months ending 30 June, the company's net income was NT$398.2bn (€11.7bn), 60.7% up compared to last year. Year-over-year, second quarter revenue increased by 38.6%, and came in at NT$933.7bn (€27.35bn), Compared to the first quarter of 2025, second quarter results represented an 11.3% increase in revenue and a 10.2% increase in net income. Related Chipmaker Nvidia hits $4 trillion making it world's most valuable company TSMC profit soars and outlook kept steady despite chip tariff woes 'TSMC delivered a strong beat, ahead of expectations. Margins remained solid despite currency headwinds from a stronger Taiwanese dollar,' said Ben Barringer, global technology analyst at Quilter Cheviot. He added, 'AI‑related demand continues to be the engine of growth, while non‑AI segments are beginning to recover more steadily.' 'Our business in the second quarter was supported by continued robust AI and HPC (High-Performance Computing)-related demand,' said Wendell Huang, Senior VP and Chief Financial Officer of TSMC. 'Moving into the third quarter of 2025, we expect our business to be supported by strong demand for our leading-edge process technologies.' TSMC raised guidance for Q3, now expecting over 30% year‑on‑year sales growth, up from previous full‑year expectations of 25%. 'Revenue is expected to be between $31.8bn and $33bn,' their statement said. With Trump's tariff policy, uncertainty is also in the cards Washington's tariff policy is overshadowing the company's outlook. Taiwan is in talks with the US to set lower trade tariffs on its exports to the country than the 32%, President Donald Trump announced in April. Taiwan is also one of the countries expecting a letter from the US President in the coming days, similar to those Trump has used to outline tariffs for other countries over the past week—including 30% for the European Union, if there is no trade deal before a recently postponed deadline of 1 August. Earlier this month, the US President also warned of potential additional tariffs on semiconductors. Related ASML sees share price drop as Trump's tariffs darken outlook Recently, investors piled back into AI-linked companies, pushing Nvidia to become the first company in history to hit a $4 trillion market capitalisation, after its shares hit a new record. However, individual company news fuel concerns that the market trend may be short-lived. A day before TSMC's results, Dutch chipmaking firm ASML saw its shares drop drastically after the company lowered its financial outlook for 2026 due to 'increasing uncertainty' in geopolitics, according to CEO Christophe Fouquet. As for TSMC, investors appear to be optimistic. After the earnings report, Taiwan Semiconductor's stock price rose 4% in premarket trade in the US. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
