In recent years, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has been on a remarkable journey, with its shares surging by a jaw-dropping 285% over the past half-decade.
This remarkable performance has piqued the interest of investors worldwide. But the real question is, can AMD continue its impressive run in the ever-evolving tech industry? The answer may lie in their unexpected pivot to artificial intelligence (AI) hardware.
The Rise of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
California-based AMD is no stranger to the tech world.
They have been a dominant player in the hardware industry, specializing in central processing units (CPUs). CPUs, as we all know, are the brains behind our devices, designed to run operating systems and all the software we use daily.
Historically, AMD has thrived, benefiting from megatrends such as the internet boom and the modernization of workplaces, which spurred demand for laptops and personal computers.
However, the market has matured, and the iconic chipmaker is now facing near-term cyclical challenges in the CPU market.
In the second quarter, AMD’s revenue experienced an 18% YoY drop, largely attributed to a significant 54% decline in its client segment. This segment primarily involves the sale of laptop and PC processors to consumer-facing manufacturers.
With inflation and elevated interest rates, consumers are delaying the purchase of these big-ticket items or seeking more affordable alternatives. But fret not, as this is a cyclical challenge, not a permanent one.
Analysts at Gartner anticipate a return to growth in the PC industry next year, which means that over the next five years, AMD’s client segment could regain its status as a stable and reliable source of revenue.
Meanwhile, the company is gearing up for a shift towards new growth drivers, particularly in data center chips and generative AI.
Unveiling the Next Phase of Growth: Generative AI
Generative AI is a remarkable subset of artificial intelligence, where computer systems possess the ability to create new content autonomously. Bloomberg analysts predict that this market will be worth a staggering $1.3 trillion by 2032.
The growth is attributed, in part, to the rising demand for the training infrastructure required to develop complex AI applications.
Currently, this domain is dominated by industry titan Nvidia, boasting an impressive 80% market share in AI chips. However, AMD is stepping into the arena with its own powerful AI hardware.
This year, AMD made waves by introducing the M1300X, a cutting-edge AI-focused graphics processing unit (GPU). Initially designed for rendering computer graphics, GPUs excel at performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
This attribute is vital for training generative AI models on vast amounts of data.
The M1300X outperforms Nvidia’s flagship H100 in terms of memory, boasting a maximum capacity of 192 GB compared to 120 GB.
Although it’s slightly behind Nvidia in terms of release date, with manufacturing set to begin in the fourth quarter of this year, the demand for AI chips far exceeds the current supply.
This leaves plenty of room for AMD to make a significant impact in the market, even if Nvidia maintains its lead.
The Future of AMD’s Shares
The future looks promising for AMD investors. Over the next five years, the company is poised to benefit from the cyclical recovery in the PC and laptop market while expanding its enterprise GPU business to meet the surging demand for generative AI training.
From a valuation standpoint, AMD shares are still reasonably priced at 25 times forward earnings, aligning with the S&P 500 average.
This suggests that there may be significant room for growth, and if their foray into AI hardware proves successful, the sky’s the limit for AMD shares.
In conclusion, with AMD making strategic moves in the realm of AI hardware, investors might want to keep a close eye on this tech giant.
While the CPU market may be facing some near-term challenges, the company’s potential to disrupt the AI industry offers exciting prospects for long-term growth.
The next half-decade could be a defining moment in AMD’s history, and investors could be in for an exhilarating ride as they embark on this bold journey.