Schlumberger, Berkshire Hathaway, and JPMorgan Chase in the News Focusing on Final Trades from CNBC’s Halftime Report

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By Ronald Tech

On CNBC’s “Halftime Report Final Trades,” Josh Brown of Ritholtz Wealth Management made his final trade recommendation, choosing Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B) (NYSE: BRK-A).

Last month, UBS analyst Brian Meredith maintained Berkshire Hathaway with a Buy rating and raised the price target from $410 to $435.

Sarat Sethi recommended Schlumberger Limited SLB. “I think it’s a great buy,” he said.

Schlumberger reaffirmed its FY24 guidance despite Saudi Aramco’s decision on oil capacity. The company disclosed a strong Y/Y revenue growth and continued margin expansion, leading to mid-teens growth in adjusted EBITDA during its fourth-quarter earnings call.

Stephanie Link of Hightower Advisors chose Toyota Motor Corporation TM.

Toyota Motor recently announced changes in its small-car unit subsidiary, Daihatsu Motor, with the resignations of its President Soichiro Okudaira and Chairman Sunao Matsubayashi following revelations of misconduct related to rigged collision safety tests.

Joe Terranova of Virtus Investment Partners selected JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM. “I think we get a $200 print” on the stock because this company is “so well diversified,” he said.

JPMorgan recently filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2023 with the SEC.

Price Action:

  • Berkshire Hathaway shares gained 0.3% to close at $407.15 on Tuesday.
  • SLB shares slipped 0.1% to $48.52 during Tuesday’s session.
  • Toyota Motor shares fell 0.3% to settle at $226.77 on Tuesday.
  • JPMorgan shares gained 0.4% to close at $179.73.


See also  The Rise of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in the AI Chipmaker World Seizing the Chipmaker Crown

As Nvidia dances on the ceiling of the trillion-dollar club, another contender emerges in the AI chipmaking realm. While Broadcom has made strides in networking and AI accelerator chips, it's not the dark horse for the trillion-dollar congregation. Eyes turn to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), waiting in the wings to ascend the throne.

Image source: Getty Images.

A Mighty Player in the Shadows

TSMC reigns supreme as the largest chip fabricator globally, commanding a lion's share of foundry spending. Armed with cutting-edge chip manufacturing prowess, boasting unmatched power efficiency and computational might, TSMC etches its mark in the AI landscape and beyond.

The company's colossal scale fosters a formidable advantage over competitors. Its robust revenue streams fuel relentless investments in research and development, ensuring TSMC stands at the vanguard of chip manufacturing innovation.

Driving Growth on the Semiconductor Highway

Painting a rosy future, TSMC anticipates a fruitful trajectory in the upcoming years. With third-quarter revenue forecasts standing tall at $22.4 billion to $23.2 billion, the company flaunts remarkable year-on-year growth figures. Additionally, a projected increase in gross margin signals pricing resilience amid escalating customer demands.

Amidst the backdrop of tech giants doubling down on AI infrastructure, such as Meta Platforms and Alphabet, TSMC stands poised to ride the crest of this technological wave. With an eye on pronounced capex expansions by industry behemoths, TSMC anticipates a windfall of demand for its chipsets.

Image source: Getty Images.

An air of anticipation looms over the tech sphere as the impending Apple iPhone release promises a host of new AI features. The allure of cutting-edge technology is expected to drive a surge in iPhone upgrades, propelling a ripple effect of chip demand, with TSMC positioned at the helm of this impending surge.

The Valuation Conundrum

Despite TSMC's colossal $875 billion market capitalization, its shares appear undervalued at current prices. Trading at a modest forward price-to-earnings ratio of 26.5, coupled with robust revenue growth and margin expansion, the company is forecasted to sustain earnings growth exceeding 20% annually. Analysts project a steady trajectory of 21.5% earnings growth per annum over the ensuing five years, painting a promising picture for investors.

Avoiding the Bandwagon: An Analysis of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing