If I’d invested £1,000 in Advanced Micro Devices shares last year, here’s what I’d have now!

Dr James Fox investigates whether investing in Advanced Micro Devices shares a year ago would have been profitable and where the share price is headed.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Young Black man sat in front of laptop while wearing headphones

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQGS:AMD) shares are among the most traded globally right now. The multinational semiconductor company develops computer processors and related technologies from its base in Santa Clara.

So how would I have fared if I invested in Advanced Micro Devices a year ago? And what’s next for the semiconductor giant?

A challenging year

If I’d invested £1,000 in the business last January, today I’d have a little over £550. That’s a pretty terrible return on my investment.

Should you invest £1,000 in Barclays right now?

When investing expert Mark Rogers has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for nearly a decade has provided thousands of paying members with top stock recommendations from the UK and US markets. And right now, Mark thinks there are 6 standout stocks that investors should consider buying. Want to see if Barclays made the list?

See the 6 stocks

The stock has slumped 49% over the past year. However, it’s worth noting this part of the market (growth stocks) hasn’t performed well since late 2021.

The only upshot is that the pound is currently around 10% weaker than it was a year go. That means the dollars I’d have bought to buy this US-listed stock a year ago are now worth more in pound terms.

Are things improving?

There are several factors to consider here. Firstly, investors likely have Advanced Micro Devices as part of their portfolio because they see the stock benefitting from technology-related trends. These microchips are a big part of the future.

But near-term performance has clearly been concerning. PCs are a considerable part of its business and the firm has already started feeling the negative repercussions of slowing computer sales.

In highlighting this, the company recently reported third-quarter revenue of $5.57bn — that’s $1bn lower than it previously guided for in the second quarter — and below analysts’ expectations of $5.62bn. However, it’s up 29% year on year.

And in the current macroeconomic environment, investors are worried that growth may slow further as we enter 2023.

Should I buy this stock?

The near-term environment is clearly challenging for many growth stocks. But I don’t see this as a reason to discount Advanced Micro Devices as an option. After all, semiconductors are going to be a huge part of our increasingly digitalised world.

The firm has several advantaged over competitors such as Intel. AMD is a ‘fabless’ semiconductor firm, meaning it doesn’t have its own foundries. This could be seen as a disadvantage, but foundries are expensive to run and require constant investment to continually develop smaller and more advanced chips. So it can also be seen as an advantage.

Instead, the firm only has to design its chips to ensure they’re compatible with a third-party contract chipmaker like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. There clearly are benefits to this arrangement. The firm’s latest Zen-based processor is the most powerful consumer-grade chip on the market. 

Advanced Micro Devices also shares a near-duopoly with Nvidia in the discrete graphic processing unit market —  a discrete GPU is one that’s separate from the processor. The chips are also used for the PS5 and Xbox Series S and X. Intel doesn’t provide any similar chips for gaming consoles to date.

So would I buy this stock? Well, while I’m bullish on the long-term prospects of the sector, I’m anticipating more volatility in the near term. As such, I’ll keep a close eye on Advanced Micro Devices, but I’m not buying yet.

But there are other promising opportunities in the stock market right now. In fact, here are:

5 stocks for trying to build wealth after 50

The cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing… the conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine shows no sign of resolution, while the global economy could be teetering on the brink of recession.

Whether you’re a newbie investor or a seasoned pro, deciding which stocks to add to your shopping list can be a daunting prospect during such unprecedented times. Yet despite the stock market’s recent gains, we think many shares still trade at a discount to their true value.

Fortunately, The Motley Fool UK analyst team have short-listed five companies that they believe STILL boast significant long-term growth prospects despite the global upheaval…

We’re sharing the names in a special FREE investing report that you can download today. We believe these stocks could be a great fit for any well-diversified portfolio with the goal of building wealth in your 50’s.

Claim your free copy now

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

James Fox has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Nvidia. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Investing Articles

Here’s how Trump tariffs could hand us some top passive income bargains

As tariff terror grips the stock market, it's time for passive income investors to steel our nerves and look for…

Read more »

Investing Articles

These FTSE shares may offer some safety as Trump slaps tariffs on trading partners

FTSE shares moved lower on 3 April, after US President Donald Trump introduced hefty tariffs on its trading partners. These…

Read more »

Investing Articles

6.8% dividend yield! Consider these 2 ‘secret’ passive income stocks to target a £1,360 payday in 2025

Looking for ways to generate above-average dividend income? These lesser-bought income stocks are worth a close look.

Read more »

Elevated view over city of London skyline
Investing Articles

The M&G dividend yields over 10% — and could get higher!

Christopher Ruane explains why he's upbeat about the long-term outlook for the M&G dividend yield and would happily buy the…

Read more »

Young Caucasian man making doubtful face at camera
Investing Articles

2 popular UK growth stocks I wouldn’t touch with a bargepole in today’s market

Buying growth stocks can deliver market-beating returns, but this FTSE 250 pair doesn't look like a convincing investment for our…

Read more »

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building
Investing Articles

10 FTSE shares falling today after President Trump’s tariffs bombshell!

Our writer explains why JD Sports Fashion from the FTSE 100 and a diverse bunch of other UK stocks are…

Read more »

Fans of Warren Buffett taking his photo
Investing Articles

With value investing back in vogue, I’m taking a leaf out of Warren Buffett’s playbook

With tariffs and trade wars resulting in heightened market volatility, Andrew Mackie takes comfort in Warren Buffett’s words of wisdom.

Read more »

Hand of person putting wood cube block with word VALUE on wooden table
Investing Articles

Around a 1-year high, is there enough value left in Next’s share price to make it worth me buying?

Next’s share price has risen a lot in eight months, but there could still be a lot of value left…

Read more »