★Top 10 Trending Themes

1. Storage Batteries

2. Data Centers

3. Defense

4. Semiconductors

5. Regional Banks

6. Space Development

7. Rare Earths

8. JPX-Nikkei 400

9. Perovskite Solar Cells

10. TOPIX Core 30

According to the "Popular Theme Rankings" compiled by Minkabu and Kabutan, "Semiconductors" has clinched the #4 spot.

Recently, U.S. semiconductor stocks have shown a notable, albeit bifurcated, recovery. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) has rallied for four consecutive sessions, gaining strong upward momentum and decisively breaking above its 75-day moving average?a key barometer for medium-term trends. The index is now approaching the psychologically significant 8,000 level, previously viewed as the upper resistance of its trading range. This resurgence in the U.S. market is providing a significant tailwind for Tokyo-listed chip names.

Despite lingering uncertainty in the Middle East, geopolitical risks are not necessarily viewed as a direct headwind for the semiconductor sector. Meanwhile, the drive for AI infrastructure to support the rapid expansion of generative AI continues to accelerate, effectively refuting earlier concerns of an "AI bubble burst." With some estimates projecting global semiconductor profits to surge by over 40% in 2026, investors are finding solid fundamental justification for continued buying.

Furthermore, escalating global defense spending is fueling demand for military-grade semiconductors. This includes sophisticated chips for military AI and data analysis?demand that is often more extensive than what is visible on the surface. This trend is expected to form a medium-term structural driver for the industry.

In the Tokyo market, index heavyweights such as Advantest <6857> and Tokyo Electron <8035> continue to command market attention due to their significant impact on the Nikkei Average. Simultaneously, small- and mid-cap stocks?less affected by index-linked futures trading and more sensitive to speculative capital?have shown vibrant activity. Beyond the two aforementioned giants, investor interest remains high in manufacturing equipment leaders such as Disco <6146>, Lasertec <6920>, and SCREEN Holdings <7735>, as well as cutting-edge memory and power semiconductor players like Kioxia Holdings and Renesas Electronics <6723>.

*This article may contain unconfirmed information. Stock trading decisions should be made at your own risk and judgment.

Source: MINKABU PRESS