AMD Sector Lags as Software ETFs Soar 14% vs. 7.5% Gain
Software stocks outpaced semiconductors as the iShares Tech-Software ETF surged about 14% last week compared with a 7.5% gain for semiconductor peers. AMD’s sector underperformance highlights continued rotation toward higher-beta cloud names, even as Microsoft rose to its 100-day moving average but sits 24% below its peak.
1. Comparative ETF Performance
Over the five-day period ending April 17, the iShares Tech-Software ETF jumped roughly 14%, while the iShares Semiconductor ETF posted a 7.5% gain. As a major holding in the semiconductor ETF, AMD shares lagged the broader tech rebound, reflecting a shift in investor preference toward software exposure.
2. Leading Software Stock Movers
Oracle led the charge with a 25% gain, while RingCentral, Datadog, Snowflake, Shopify, Atlassian and ServiceNow each climbed at least 15%. Microsoft recorded its best weekly rally since the March 2020 low, climbing back to its 100-day moving average but remaining 24% below its all-time high.
3. Implications for AMD’s Sector Position
The pronounced outperformance of software names underscores a rotation into higher-beta cloud and subscription businesses. Until semiconductor peers benefit from a broader tech rebound, AMD may face persistent pressure as investors chase growth in software and cloud segments.