Semiconductor leveraged ETF continues to attract inflows: SOXL has pulled in nearly $7 billion in net inflows over two months.

Despite a sharp pullback in global chip stocks since late June, funds have flowed into semiconductor leveraged ETFs against the trend. Data shows Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bull 3X Shares (SOXL) attracted a combined net inflow of nearly $70 billion in July and the first two weeks of August, exhibiting a clear "buy the dip" pattern. As of August 24, SOXL traded at $111.16, down over 60% from its prior high of $302. The ETF tracks the NYSE Semiconductor Index, with holdings including Nvidia, Micron Technology, AMD, and Broadcom. Semiconductors remain one of the most crowded trades globally. Bank of America’s August global fund manager survey revealed that 53% of respondents opted to "go long on global semiconductors," a notable cooling from the 82% historical peak seen last month. Institutions are divided on the sector’s outlook. Fidelity warned that the semiconductor sector’s roughly 40-month earnings cycle may be nearing its peak, cautioning that daily reset leveraged products like SOXL could amplify losses if the sector cycle reverses. Goldman Sachs, by contrast, sharply raised its forecasts for global fab equipment spending from 2026 to 2028 to $150 billion, $218 billion, and $281 billion respectively, arguing that the AI-driven semiconductor supercycle is set to continue through 2028. JPMorgan Chase also maintains a bullish stance, noting that the semiconductor sector, following its recent pullback, is attractive.