How to Invest in the Semiconductor Cycle (2025 Ultimate Guide)
Author: CORNYVERSE Last updated: September 24, 2025 | Reading time: 9 minutes 📑 Quick Navigation 1. What is the Semiconductor Cycle? 2. The 4 Stages of the Cycle Explained 3. How to Invest: Individual Stocks vs. ETFs 4. SOXX vs. SMH: Which Chip ETF is Better? 5. 2025 Outlook: AI Super-Cycle or Bust? From your smartphone to AI data centers, semiconductor chips are the brains of modern technology. But the market for these tiny powerhouses is famous for its intense "boom and bust" cycle. Understanding this cycle is the key to successfully investing in tech. Get the timing wrong, and you could be looking at losses for years. Get it right, and the returns can be massive. In this guide, we'll use the latest 2025 insights to clearly explain the four stages of the semiconductor cycle, help you decide between individual stocks and ETFs, and put the two leading chip ETFs—SOXX and SMH—head-to-head so you can make a smarter i...