The technology sector has always been a dynamic arena, consistently delivering impressive returns for investors. Over the past year, several tech companies have shown remarkable growth, setting themselves apart as industry leaders. Here’s a closer look at the top performers:

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NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA)

Leading the charge is NVIDIA Corporation, with an astonishing 279.01% growth over the past year. NVIDIA's advancements in graphics processing units (GPUs) and its expansion into artificial intelligence (AI) and data center markets have driven its extraordinary stock performance. The company’s innovative approach and strategic positioning in cutting-edge technologies continue to attract significant investor interest.

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CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD)

CrowdStrike has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth, with a 164.08% increase over the past year. As a leader in cybersecurity, CrowdStrike's robust cloud-native platform and its ability to thwart sophisticated cyber threats have made it a favorite among investors. The growing importance of cybersecurity in a digital world has significantly boosted CrowdStrike’s market value.

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Broadcom Inc. (AVGO)

Broadcom Inc. has achieved a commendable 108.27% growth over the past year. Known for its semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions, Broadcom’s diversified portfolio and strategic acquisitions have fueled its steady growth. The company's strong presence in key tech segments has solidified its reputation as a reliable investment.

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Micron Technology, Inc. (MU)

Micron Technology has seen its stock grow by 100.5% over the past year. Specializing in memory and storage solutions, Micron has benefited from the increasing demand for data storage in various applications, including smartphones, data centers, and automotive markets. The company’s focus on innovation and efficiency has played a crucial role in its impressive performance.

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KLA Corporation (KLAC)

KLA Corporation has posted a solid 97.53% growth over the past year. As a key player in process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor industry, KLA’s technological advancements and strong market demand have driven its stock higher. The company’s expertise in enabling smarter manufacturing processes continues to enhance its growth prospects.

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Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT)

With a growth rate of 90.42%, Applied Materials has proven to be a strong performer in the tech sector. The company provides equipment, services, and software for semiconductor manufacturing, positioning itself as a critical supplier in the tech supply chain. Applied Materials’ focus on innovation and efficiency in semiconductor fabrication has fueled its robust growth.

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QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

QUALCOMM rounds out the list with a notable 76.23% growth over the past year. As a leader in wireless technology and semiconductor products, QUALCOMM’s innovations in 5G technology and its extensive patent portfolio have driven its stock performance. The company’s strategic investments in next-generation wireless technologies continue to bolster its market position.

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NVDA: NVIDIA CORPORATION

Industry: Semiconductors

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The 279.01% growth of NVIDIA over the past year can be attributed to several key events and factors:

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• AI Dominance: NVDA has become a leader in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry, with its GPUs being used extensively for AI-centric projects. This dominance has led to significant demand for its computing power, driving growth.

• CUDA and Parallel Processing: NVIDIA's proprietary CUDA software solution and parallel processing capabilities have made its GPUs an attractive choice for developers, further enhancing its market position.

• Strategic Collaborations: NVDA has collaborated with major tech giants like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, expanding its influence in the AI market and enhancing its credibility.

• Edge and Cloud Computing: The shift towards edge and cloud computing has created new opportunities for NVDA, as its GPUs are well-suited for high-performance computing in these environments.

• Market Trends and Shifts: NVDA has capitalized on ongoing trends such as the rise of gaming PCs and cloud AI services, which have driven demand for its technology.

• Omniverse Platform: The development of the Omniverse platform, which enables virtual world simulations, has further solidified NVDA's position in the AI landscape.

• Forecast and Revenue Growth: NVIDIA's record-breaking forecast of 233% growth in current-quarter revenue, exceeding market expectations, has also contributed to its growth.

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NVIDIA Corporation is a leading designer and developer of graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), and system-on-a-chip (SoC) units, serving the gaming, professional visualization, data center, and automotive markets worldwide. NVIDIA operates in two segments: GPU, which offers processors for PC gaming, mainstream PCs, cloud-based gaming, design professionals, artificial intelligence, and accelerated computing; and Tegra Processor, which provides processors for SHIELD devices and services, intelligent edge devices, self-driving vehicles, medical instruments, and robotics. NVIDIA sells its products to original equipment manufacturers, original device manufacturers, system builders, add-in board manufacturers, retailers/distributors, Internet and cloud service providers, automotive manufacturers and tier-1 automotive suppliers, mapping companies, start-ups, and other ecosystem participants, and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

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CRWD: CROWDSTRIKE HOLDINGS, INC.

Industry: Software—Infrastructure

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The events that contributed to the 164.08% over the past year growth of CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. include:

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• Strong Subscription Revenue Growth: CrowdStrike's impressive subscription revenue growth has been a key contributor to its strong performance. The increasing demand for robust cybersecurity solutions, driven by the need for remote work security, has fueled the growth in subscriptions.

• Cloud-Based Security Solutions: CrowdStrike's cloud-based security solutions, particularly its Falcon platform with 10 cloud modules, have been highly effective in safeguarding various environments and attracting new clients.

• Strategic Acquisitions: CrowdStrike's strategic acquisitions, such as Preempt Security in 2020, have enhanced its Zero Trust capabilities and expanded its offerings.

• Public Listing and Successful IPO: CrowdStrike's initial public offering (IPO) in 2019 was one of the most successful in the cybersecurity sector, providing a significant boost to its growth and visibility.

• Growing Demand for Cybersecurity: The growing importance of cybersecurity, driven by the increasing threat of cyberattacks and the need for robust security solutions, has contributed to CrowdStrike's growth.

• International Expansion: CrowdStrike's international expansion and scaling of operations have also contributed to its growth, as it continues to expand its global footprint and provide security solutions to a diverse and international clientele.

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CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. provides cloud-delivered solutions for next-generation endpoint protection in the United States, Australia, Germany, India, Romania, and the United Kingdom. It offers 11 cloud modules on its Falcon platform through a software as a service subscription-based model that covers various security markets, such as endpoint security, security and IT operations, and threat intelligence to deliver comprehensive breach protection even against today's most sophisticated attacks. CrowdStrike primarily sells its platform and cloud modules through its direct sales team. CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

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AVGO: BROADCOM INC.

Industry: Semiconductors

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The events that contributed to the 108.27% over the past year growth of Broadcom Inc. include:

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• VMWare Acquisition: The acquisition of VMWare, a cloud computing firm, has been a significant driver of growth for Broadcom. The acquisition has allowed Broadcom to expand its presence in the cloud computing space and leverage VMWare's strong position in the market.

• Strong Earnings Performance: Broadcom has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with a strong earnings surprise history over the last four years. This has led to increased investor confidence and driven the stock price higher.

• Analyst Support: Analysts have been raising their price targets on the stock, citing strong growth potential and Broadcom's ability to extract cost synergies from the VMWare acquisition. This increased analyst support has contributed to the stock's growth.

• Innovation and Partnerships: Broadcom's commitment to innovation, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI, has been a key factor in its growth. Broadcom's partnerships with major cloud hyperscalers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have also driven growth through increased demand for its networking solutions.

• Valuation: Despite the strong performance, Broadcom's valuation ratios remain lower than those of its peers, making it an attractive investment opportunity for some analysts.

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Broadcom Inc. designs, develops, and supplies semiconductor devices globally, focusing on complex digital and mixed-signal CMOS-based devices and analog III-V products. Operating through Semiconductor Solutions, Infrastructure Software, and Intellectual Property licensing segments, Broadcom offers a wide range of products including SoCs for set-top boxes, wireless LAN, and networking, as well as embedded processors, ASICs, and fiber optic components. It also provides RF modules, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS SoCs, custom touch controllers, and a variety of other specialized hardware. Their products are used in applications from networking and telecommunications to data centers, smartphones, and industrial automation. Founded in 2018, Broadcom is headquartered in San Jose, California, and collaborates with companies like Liqid Inc.

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MU: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

Industry: Semiconductors

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The events that contributed to the 100.5% growth of Micron Technology over the past year include:

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• Strong Earnings Performance: Micron Technology has consistently delivered strong earnings, with an average earnings surprise of 69.6%. This has led to increased investor confidence and driven stock price growth.

• Growing Demand for AI-Optimized Servers: Micron Technology has seen significant demand for its AI-optimized servers, with orders increasing by nearly 40% sequentially. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in various industries.

• Expansion into New Markets: Micron Technology has expanded its presence in new markets, such as China, where it has received government support for its growth.

• Qualification of Automotive-Grade Solutions: Micron Technology has qualified its full suite of automotive-grade solutions for Qualcomm automotive platforms, further expanding its presence in the automotive sector.

• Price Increases: Micron Technology has announced plans to raise DRAM and SSD prices by 25% amid an expectation of a big increase in chip demand, which is likely to drive revenue growth.

• Optimism on HBM Demand: Analysts are optimistic about the demand for High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), which has already sold out the 2024 supply and allocated most of 2025's capacity. This is expected to drive further growth for Micron Technology.

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Micron Technology, Inc. is a leading American producer of computer memory and storage solutions, including DRAM, NAND, NOR, and 3D XPoint memory, which it sells worldwide through its four business units: Compute and Networking, Mobile, Embedded, and Storage. Founded in 1978 in Boise, Idaho, Micron offers its products under the Micron and Crucial brands, as well as through private labels, and markets them through direct sales, independent representatives, distributors, retailers, and online channels. Micron Technology has a strong history of innovation, including the development of atomic layer deposition high-k films for DRAM, pitch double-patterning for NAND flash memory, and the industry's first 232-layer 3D NAND, and has achieved over 50,000 patents.

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KLAC: KLA CORPORATION

Industry: Semiconductor Equipment & Materials

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The events that contributed to the 97.53% over the past year growth of KLA Corp include:

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• Strong Earnings Reports: KLA Corp reported strong earnings for its fiscal third quarter, beating estimates with an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.26 and revenues of $2.36 billion. This was followed by a positive guidance for the current quarter, with forecasted adjusted EPS of $6.07 and sales of $2.5 billion.

• Analyst Upgrades and Price Target Increases: Analysts such as JPMorgan and Stifel upgraded their ratings and raised their price targets for KLAC stock. For example, JPMorgan reiterated its overweight rating and raised its price target to $800 from $725.

• Industry Trends and Market Conditions: The semiconductor equipment industry has seen a growing demand for advanced technologies, driving growth for companies like KLA Corp. KLA Corp's CEO expressed optimism about market conditions and anticipated business levels to improve as the year progresses.

• Positive Earnings Growth: KLA Corp has shown positive earnings growth, with a year-over-year decline in earnings of only 4% despite a 3% decline in revenues. This indicates KLA Corp's ability to maintain profitability despite market fluctuations.

• Industry Leadership and Resilience: KLA Corp is considered a resilient player in the market, with a strong portfolio of inspection and metrology products and services. Its leadership position in the industry has contributed to its growth and stability.

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KLA Corporation, headquartered in Milpitas, California, designs, manufactures, and markets process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related nanoelectronics industries. Its products include defect inspection, metrology solutions, process monitoring products, computational lithography software, and data analytics systems for chip, wafer, and reticle manufacturing. KLA also provides solutions for compound semiconductors, power devices, LEDs, MEMS, data storage, and thin film coating of photovoltaic wafers. Founded in 1975 and formerly known as KLA-Tencor Corporation, KLA Corp serves a broad range of manufacturers in the semiconductor fabrication process.

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AMAT: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.

Industry: Semiconductor Equipment & Materials

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The events that contributed to the 90.42% growth of Applied Materials over the past year include:

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• Strong Sales and EPS Growth: AMAT has consistently shown impressive sales and earnings per share (EPS) growth rates over the past three years, with a 3-year sales growth rate of 16.1% and a 3-year EPS growth rate of 29.5%.

• Institutional Investor Demand: Large-scale investors have shown significant interest in AMAT, contributing to its upward trajectory. This demand is reflected in Applied Materials's inclusion on the weekly Top 20 report at MAPsignals, a proprietary indicator of institutional investor activity.

• Robust Fundamentals: AMAT's strong fundamental foundation, including its growth in revenue and operating income, has driven its stock price upward. Applied Materials's ability to adapt to changing market conditions and its focus on innovation have also contributed to its success.

• Growth in Key Markets: AMAT's growth in key markets such as DRAM and high-bandwidth memory has driven significant increases in market opportunity. Applied Materials's position in these markets, particularly in advanced logic and compute memory, has enabled it to capitalize on the growing demand for these technologies.

• Expansion of Global Innovation Network: AMAT's expansion of its global innovation network, which includes partnerships with leading research institutions like MIT, has enhanced its ability to innovate and collaborate with customers and partners. This network has helped Applied Materials to develop highly differentiated solutions for its customers and to accelerate the commercialization of new technologies.

• Strong Services Business: AMAT's services business, which includes advanced services like AGS, has delivered 18 consecutive quarters of year-over-year growth. This business is expected to continue growing at a double-digit rate in the future.

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Applied Materials, Inc., founded in 1967 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, provides manufacturing equipment, services, and software for the semiconductor, display, and related industries. It operates through three segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. Applied Materials offers technologies and equipment for semiconductor fabrication, display manufacturing, and productivity optimization, serving a global market including the United States, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

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QCOM: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED

Industry: Semiconductors

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The events that contributed to the 76.23% growth of Qualcomm over the past year include:

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• Strong Q2 Fiscal 2024 Results: Qualcomm reported robust earnings, surpassing both the bottom and top lines of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The impressive performance was fueled by healthy demand trends in Android handsets and the automotive business.

• Record Automotive Revenues: Qualcomm recorded record automotive revenues of $603 million due to solid momentum from the Snapdragon Digital Chassis platform, marking the 14th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth in automotive revenues.

• Handset Revenues: Handset revenues were up 1% to $6,180 million, primarily due to the increased deployment of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform in new Android flagship launches.

• Positive Earnings Estimate Revisions: Over the past month, investors have observed a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions, with the consensus estimate shifting 5.29% upward.

• Q3 Guidance: Qualcomm anticipates GAAP revenues of $8.8-$9.6 billion and non-GAAP earnings of $2.15-$2.35 per share for the third quarter of fiscal 2024, driven by market stabilization, recovery in market demand, and portfolio strength.

• Extended Agreement with Apple: Qualcomm extended its agreement with Apple to supply modem chips to the iPhone maker until 2026, which has helped improve QUALCOMM's outlook.

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QUALCOMM Incorporated develops and commercializes foundational technologies for mobile devices and wireless products, including network and broadband equipment, consumer electronics, and other connected devices globally. It operates through three segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT), which supplies integrated circuits and system software for wireless communications and more; Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL), which licenses its extensive intellectual property portfolio; and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI), which invests in early-stage companies across various industries. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in San Diego, California, QUALCOMM also provides services and products to U.S. government agencies and their contractors.