1 Vanguard ETF Up 23% in 12 Months (Hint: It's Not VOO). Here's What History Says Investors Should Do.

The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS) has gained 23% over the past 12 months, outperforming the S&P 500 in the short term. However, over the past decade, the S&P 500 has significantly outperformed VXUS (319% vs 149% total return), largely due to the Magnificent Seven stocks. While international outperformance appears to be a temporary trend, the article suggests allocating 5-10% of a portfolio to VXUS for geographic diversification, citing concerns about U.S. market concentration, valuation, and federal debt.

08/20/2026, 2:15 PM • The Motley Fool

Why State Street SPDR Developed World ex-US is a Strong International ETF

Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) both offer low-cost international exposure with identical 0.03% expense ratios. While Schwab delivered slightly higher returns and lower volatility over five years, State Street provides broader diversification with nearly 1,000 additional holdings including small-cap stocks, which the author favors for long-term growth potential.

08/19/2026, 3:29 PM • The Motley Fool

This Billionaire Tech Investor Is Betting Big on SpaceX and Chip Stocks

Billionaire tech investor Philippe Laffont of Coatue Management significantly increased his portfolio positions in Q2, with major additions to SpaceX and semiconductor stocks including Micron, Intel, and Cerebras. While the analyst is skeptical of SpaceX's valuation, he views Micron favorably due to memory supply constraints and supports Cerebras as a potential winner in AI inference, but cautions against chasing Intel stock after its recent rally.

08/19/2026, 3:21 PM • The Motley Fool

Vanguard Is Bullish on Developed Markets Outside the U.S. -- But How Can You Buy Them? These 2 ETFs Can Help.

Vanguard's research suggests that international stocks in developed markets outside the U.S. may outperform U.S. growth stocks as AI benefits spread beyond the tech sector. The firm projects developed markets ex-U.S. equities to deliver 4.5%-6.5% average annual returns over 10 years versus 3.6%-5.6% for U.S. growth stocks. Two ETFs are highlighted as ways to gain exposure: SPDW (2,436 global stocks, 9.8% five-year returns) and VYMI (1,565 dividend-focused stocks, 14.1% five-year returns).

08/14/2026, 5:15 AM • The Motley Fool

Is Rule Breaker ASML the Snap Cola King Right Now?

ASML, a Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer, ranks as the top company in The Motley Fool's Rule Breakers database with a Superscore of 99. The article explains David Gardner's 'Snap Cola' investment concept—identifying top dogs and first-movers in important emerging industries. ASML qualifies as it created the EUV lithography category and is the sole producer of these critical chip-making systems. The stock has returned over 200% since its 2020 recommendation and has been recommended three additional times, demonstrating the value of holding quality companies long-term.

08/11/2026, 11:16 AM • The Motley Fool

TSMC vs. ASML: Which Is the Better Semiconductor Equipment Stock to Own for the Next 10 Years?

TSMC and ASML are identified as two of the best long-term semiconductor stocks due to their dominant market positions. TSMC controls 73% of the foundry market and 90% of advanced AI chips, while ASML dominates with 90% market share in lithography and 100% in extreme ultraviolet equipment. The article recommends both stocks but slightly favors TSMC due to its lower valuation (36x earnings vs. ASML's 56x) and more diversified customer base.

08/10/2026, 8:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Semiconductor Equipment Makers vs. Chip Designers: Who's Actually Winning the AI Cycle?

The article compares semiconductor equipment makers (ASML, Applied Materials) versus chip designers (Nvidia, Broadcom) in the AI boom. While equipment makers have outperformed over the past year, chip designers have higher profit margins (75-77% vs 50-54%) and greater pricing power, giving them a long-term advantage in capitalizing on the AI cycle despite massive capex investments expected to exceed $1 trillion next year.

08/10/2026, 4:30 PM • The Motley Fool

ASML Faces a Fresh Threat Out of China. Is the Dip in the Stock Worth Buying?

ASML's stock dipped after reports that a Chinese government-backed company is manufacturing its own DUV lithography systems. While this could accelerate the decline of ASML's Chinese business (which has already fallen from 41% to 16% of revenue due to export restrictions), the company's growing EUV system sales for high-end AI chips outside China could offset losses. Long-term investors are advised to view the dip as a buying opportunity rather than a major threat.

08/10/2026, 2:10 PM • The Motley Fool

Forget Taiwan Semiconductor: 2 AI Semiconductor Equipment Stocks to Buy and Hold Instead

The article argues that semiconductor equipment makers ASML and Applied Materials are better investment choices than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing due to geopolitical risks in Taiwan. ASML, the sole producer of EUV lithography machines, has seen 17% annual revenue growth and a 145% stock increase over the past year. Applied Materials, which provides equipment for various chip manufacturing processes, projects 18% revenue growth this year and 29% in 2027, with a 200% stock increase over the past year.

08/07/2026, 12:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Will ASML Split Its Stock This Year?

ASML's share price has surged above $1,700, making it a candidate for a stock split. However, recent semiconductor sector weakness and ASML's high valuation (37x forward earnings) suggest a split is unlikely in 2026, with 2027 or 2028 being more probable. The company has not conducted a forward split since 2000.

08/05/2026, 3:17 PM • The Motley Fool

Why ASML Stock Lost 18% in July

ASML stock fell 18% in July due to a broader AI sector sell-off following reports of Anthropic developing its own AI chip, and concerns about Chinese competition in ultraviolet lithography machines. Despite beating Q2 earnings expectations and raising full-year guidance, these headwinds outweighed positive results.

08/04/2026, 8:30 PM • The Motley Fool

Asian Stocks Are Down 10% From June Highs. That Could Be Bad News for This Semiconductor Index.

Asian stocks have declined 10% since June 22, with semiconductor stocks particularly hard hit as investors worry AI hyperscalers may scale back spending on data centers. The iShares Semiconductor ETF has fallen 22.9% since June, raising questions about whether the recent sell-off is temporary or signals a longer-term repricing of chip stocks amid concerns about AI investment sustainability.

08/03/2026, 9:30 AM • The Motley Fool

ASML vs. TSMC: Which Semiconductor Supply Chain Stock Is the Better AI Play?

The article compares TSMC and ASML as AI infrastructure investments. TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturer with 73% global foundry market share, reported Q2 revenue of $40.2B (up 33.7% YoY) with a 55.6% net profit margin. ASML, which manufactures advanced lithography machines essential for chip production, reported Q2 revenue of €9.32B (up 11% YoY). The author concludes TSMC is the better AI play due to its dominant market position, expansion plans, advanced 2-nm technology leadership, and central role in fabricating AI processors.

08/02/2026, 12:04 PM • The Motley Fool

ASML: Is a New Chinese Competitor a Major Threat? (NASDAQ: ASML)

An unnamed Chinese company has begun manufacturing deep ultraviolet lithography (DUV) machines, a key semiconductor fabrication equipment. While the news initially impacted ASML shares, analysts argue the threat is overstated. The Chinese competitor plans to ship only 5 machines this year and 20 in 2027, compared to ASML's 130 units this year and planned capacity of 220 units annually by 2028. ASML's technology lead and product reliability give it a significant advantage, though long-term competition from China remains a potential concern.

07/31/2026, 6:30 AM • The Motley Fool

Prediction: Nvidia-SK Hynix Partnership Will Make Both Stocks Big Winners

Nvidia and SK Hynix announced a major partnership involving HBM supply and AI data center development. The deal positions Nvidia to secure its dominance in AI infrastructure with guaranteed high-bandwidth memory supply, while SK Hynix gains long-term revenue visibility and potential stock multiple expansion. Both companies are expected to benefit significantly from this strategic alliance.

07/28/2026, 1:27 PM • The Motley Fool