2 Hidden Businesses to Watch as AI Keeps Heating Up

Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

The Motley Fool

Investing, Business

4.3 • 3.1K Ratings

🗓️ 13 July 2026

⏱️ 19 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Many investors feel like the AI trend peaked and some AI stocks are taking it on the chin in response. However, Taiwan Semiconductor is showing an accelerated growth rate and Meta Platforms is nearly doubling the scope of one of its important data centers, suggesting the AI buildout is still on. In light of this, Matt and Rachel each highlight a hidden company that can benefit from the trends. Finally, Jon throws a question to them from a listener regarding selling stocks to pay for school, avoiding student loan debt. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:-Taiwan Semiconductor’s accelerated growth in June-Meta Platforms’ greatly expanded data center in Louisiana-How Comfort Systems USA benefits from the trends-How Celestica benefits from the trends-Listener question: Should I sell stocks to pay for school? Companies discussed: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM), Meta Platforms (META), Comfort Systems (FIX), Celestica (CLS) Host: Jon QuastGuests: Matt Frankel, Rachel WarrenEngineer: Kristi Waterworth Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Growth is accelerating for the world's largest chip maker. You're listening to Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing.
0:11.6	Welcome to Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing. I'm John Quast, and I'm joined today by Fool
0:15.8	Contributors Matt Frankel and Rachel Warren. We're going to take a question from the mailbag
0:20.0	later in the show about selling a stock for personal reasons, but first, I wanted to hit this news from Taiwan
0:25.9	Semiconductor. That is ticker symbol TSM. Now, the reason that I want to talk about this is not
0:32.0	because it's a hidden company. I know I'm going to get skewered for this, but it's a $2 trillion
0:36.4	company. Okay, it's large.
0:38.1	I get it. It's not hidden. But I think that some people still underestimate how important it is.
0:43.2	The company fabricates over 90% of the world's most advanced computer chips. And it's an estimated
0:49.6	60% of all computer chips. So it's a very important company. And when we see things with its
0:55.1	business, it's really a leading indicator of global AI demand. And so I did want to highlight
1:00.4	TSM today because AI stocks have pulled back in recent weeks. I think some investors are saying,
1:05.5	listen, the trends have peaked. The downtrends is coming. But this company just reported monthly
1:10.4	numbers and it throws cold water on the fear narrative.
1:14.1	Rachel, walk us through some of the important things we need to know.
1:17.1	Yeah, I mean, you can look at trends in terms of looking at how share prices are performing,
1:20.9	but the numbers are what really tell you what's happening behind the curtain, so to speak.
1:24.8	And TSM is, if you want to think of it this way, essentially the whole factory floor for the entire AI boom. And that's why their monthly sales
1:32.7	report, their first half sales reports are really important reality checks for the market.
1:37.3	They are not seeing a slowdown. A TSM just announced that June revenue jumped nearly 68%
1:43.4	compared to last year. And why is that so important? Well, June
1:47.7	sales usually dip because of normal summer seasonality, but this year they actually
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