TSMC and ASML: Strong Results, Umicore Joins Sustainable Portfolio

Herz — Business Desk · 16 July 2026 at 16:54 · 30s summary · 2 min read

What We Know

During the week of July 14, 2026, TSMC and ASML released their quarterly results. Both companies confirm sustained high demand for advanced chip manufacturing technologies, according to Handelsblatt.

TSMC announced price increases for its advanced manufacturing processes. Its chip packaging capacity—designated by the CoWoS acronym—is nearly fully booked through at least the end of 2027. The company's expansion in Arizona is progressing.

Corporate earnings season is starting strongly in mid-July 2026. However, the Middle East conflict and the resulting surge in oil prices are concerning investors.

Many investors are taking profits on artificial intelligence stocks. The goal is to diversify their portfolios to make them more resilient to crises.

Securing Critical Raw Materials

The U.S. Pentagon has taken a stake in MP Materials, a rare earth producer. This move aims to secure long-term access to critical materials.

The European Union is increasingly focused on companies that recover precious materials and close existing material cycles. It favors this approach over creating new mining groups.

Umicore Joins Sustainable Model Portfolio

On July 16, 2026, Belgian company Umicore joined the Musterdepot Nachhaltigkeit (Sustainable Model Portfolio), a sustainability-focused portfolio managed by independent advisor Gabriele Hartmann for Handelsblatt. Umicore specializes in Urban Mining: recovering cobalt, nickel, and copper from batteries, electronic devices, and industrial waste.

The company's battery division is currently weighing on profitability. However, its diversified business model—recycling, special materials, and precious metal technology—is viewed as promising.

Holdings Retained in the Portfolio

The portfolio maintains positions in ASML, TSMC, ABB, Eaton, Schneider Electric, and Caterpillar. These six stocks benefit from increased investments in industrial infrastructure and electrification. The portfolio has shown solid performance since the beginning of 2026.

The Strait of Hormuz: A Global Energy Corridor

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most important energy corridors. New pipelines and alternative transport routes aim to reduce its strategic importance over the long term.

What Remains Uncertain

The precise nature of the Pentagon's stake in MP Materials has not been detailed by available sources. The portfolio's specific performance figures since the beginning of 2026 are also not disclosed.