Our Pick Of The Best AI Chip Stocks In September 2026

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is talking about AI data centers as a build out that could reshape the US economy, with jobs and infrastructure spending rippling across power, construction and chips. That kind of headline puts the semiconductor plumbing of AI back in focus. This article unpacks how that theme ties into a diversified portfolio and highlights three stocks from our semiconductor supply chain screen worth a closer look.

The three semiconductor supply chain stocks below are just a starting sample, with the full screen surfacing 9 more companies with equally compelling narratives that are not covered here. To identify your own preferred angle on the AI hardware build out, head straight into the Semiconductor Supply Chain screener to filter, analyze, and target the highest conviction plays.

Applied Materials (AMAT)

Overview: Applied Materials supplies the chipmaking tools and services that foundries rely on to build advanced AI accelerators and logic processors.

Operations: Applied Materials generates about US$22.4b from Semiconductor Systems and US$7.2b from Applied Global Services, with sales spread across China, Taiwan, Korea, the United States, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Market Cap: US$386.3b

Applied Materials matters for this semiconductor supply chain screen because its tools sit in the production lines that physically turn AI chip designs into finished wafers, so any step change in AI infrastructure spending tends to show up directly in its order book.

"Structural growth in AI and high-performance computing is reshaping semiconductor demand, driving heavy investments in advanced chip architectures such as gate-all-around (GAA) transistors, high-bandwidth memory (HBM), and advanced packaging. Applied is positioned to benefit from these device inflections due to its role in materials engineering and customer adoption of new process technologies."

For investors watching Applied Materials, the key question is what happens when one untested assumption about how long this AI equipment upcycle lasts is finally confronted.

When that assumption finally gets tested, you will want the context from the full narrative for Applied Materials to see what could keep the Applied Materials story accelerating beyond this cycle.

Super Micro Computer (SMCI)

Overview: Super Micro Computer builds high-density AI servers and rack-scale systems that power GPU-heavy data centers for training and inference workloads.

Operations: Super Micro Computer generates about US$39.1b from high performance server solutions, with around US$27.7b coming from customers in the United States.

Market Cap: US$27.4b

Super Micro Computer matters for this semiconductor supply chain screen because it does not just sell individual AI servers. It delivers full racks and clusters that slot directly into AI data centers where GPUs, networking gear, and storage come together.

"The accelerating global adoption of AI and analytics continues to drive demand for high-performance, scalable server and data center solutions, positioning Super Micro for strong multi-year revenue growth as enterprises and nations build out AI infrastructure."

What investors will eventually care most about is how one persistent pressure on Super Micro Computer's profitability settles once the current AI buildout rhythm changes.

As that pressure builds, read the full narrative for Super Micro Computer to see how Super Micro Computer could balance AI demand, profitability swings, and any overlooked competitive edge.

Silicon Motion Technology (SIMO)

Overview: Silicon Motion Technology designs NAND flash controllers and single chip SSDs that power high performance storage in AI data centers and edge devices.

Operations: Silicon Motion Technology generates about US$1.3b from developing NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices, with most sales tied to customers in China.

Market Cap: US$9.4b

Silicon Motion Technology matters for this semiconductor supply chain screen because its NAND controllers and FerriSSD products plug directly into the storage backbone that keeps AI training and inference hardware fed with data at speed.

"The rapid expansion of high-performance storage demand from AI, data centers, cloud computing, and edge computing is fueling adoption of advanced NAND controller solutions, particularly Silicon Motion's PCIe Gen 5 and enterprise-focused MonTitan controllers. This is supporting robust future revenue and margin growth as these markets scale."

What ultimately shapes the Silicon Motion Technology story is how one quiet shift in AI oriented storage mix filters through to margins and cash generation.

As that storage mix tilts, read the full narrative for Silicon Motion Technology to see how Silicon Motion Technology could convert AI driven demand into accelerating cash power with controlled risk.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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