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Chart of the WeekJuly 28, 2026

Chart Of the Week – Semiconductors Have Become the Engine of Earnings Growth

The chart splits year-over-year growth in S&P 500 earnings per share into three buckets.

Chart Of the Week – Semiconductors Have Become the Engine of Earnings Growth

The chart splits year-over-year growth in S&P 500 earnings per share into three buckets. Semiconductors accounted for 48% of that growth in the second quarter of 2026, up from 16% in the first quarter of 2025. The hyperscalers moved the other way over the same stretch, from 36% to 9%. One reading is that the capital the hyperscalers are committing to AI infrastructure is landing as revenue further up the supply chain. The rest of the index has contributed a steadier share throughout, between 36% and 48%.

Source: J.P. Morgan Asset Management, Guide to the Markets (July 2026). Rebuilt by Waterloo Capital. Columns may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

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Last Week on Wall Street

Last Week on Wall Street is Waterloo Capital's weekly market recap, published every Monday morning to keep advisors and clients informed on the most significant developments from the prior trading week. Each edition synthesizes equity market performance, fixed income moves, macroeconomic data releases, and notable corporate earnings into a concise, actionable read — cutting through the noise so our readers can focus on what actually matters for long-term wealth management.

Our research team tracks the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, NASDAQ Composite, and 10-year Treasury yield as primary benchmarks, while also covering sector rotations, commodity swings, and policy shifts from the Federal Reserve and Washington. When major cross-asset moves occur — such as the historic gold selloff covered in this edition — we dig into the mechanics and the likely ripple effects on diversified portfolios, helping clients contextualize volatility without reacting impulsively.

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Chart Of the Week – Semiconductors Have Become the Engine of Earnings Growth | Waterloo Capital