The industry at the heart of global technology

The semiconductor industry powers key trends such as artificial intelligence, says Rupert Hargreaves

Robot arm and semiconductor industry
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The semiconductor industry is a catch-all term for the broad range of companies that design, manufacture and sell microchips. Microchips, or chips, are a collection of switches controlled by electrical pulses. 

These switches are printed onto a board using a semiconductor material, such as silicon, or to a lesser extent germanium. The conductive nature of the board allows components to be etched into the material in layers, along with the connections to facilitate the flow of electrical signals. 

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Rupert Hargreaves
Contributor and former deputy digital editor of MoneyWeek

Rupert is the former deputy digital editor of MoneyWeek. He's an active investor and has always been fascinated by the world of business and investing. His style has been heavily influenced by US investors Warren Buffett and Philip Carret. He is always looking for high-quality growth opportunities trading at a reasonable price, preferring cash generative businesses with strong balance sheets over blue-sky growth stocks.

Rupert has written for many UK and international publications including the Motley Fool, Gurufocus and ValueWalk, aimed at a range of readers; from the first timers to experienced high-net-worth individuals. Rupert has also founded and managed several businesses, including the New York-based hedge fund newsletter, Hidden Value Stocks. He has written over 20 ebooks and appeared as an expert commentator on the BBC World Service.