Global chip stocks in the red after Samsung selloff on quarterly results

Global semiconductor stocks sold off after Samsung Electronics’ shares dropped about 7% despite the company posting a blowout second-quarter operating profit estimate. The move hit European chipmakers such as ASML, STMicroelectronics, Infineon, ASM International, BE Semiconductor and Soitec, while U.S. names including Micron, Western Digital, KLA, Applied Materials, Intel and AMD also weakened in premarket trading. The market reaction suggests investors had already priced in strong earnings and are now questioning how long the AI-driven chip cycle can last, especially if major U.S. technology companies slow AI infrastructure spending. Samsung guided to operating profit of 89.4 trillion won and revenue of 171 trillion won, but worries over sustainability of demand and memory prices pressured the broader sector.