As the foundational technology industry of semiconductors, the development direction of chips directly determines breakthroughs in cutting-edge fields such as commercial aerospace, artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving. Entering 2026, this track remains worth close attention.

**Processors and Computing Power Chips**

Major players in the CPU field include design companies such as Hygon Information, Loongson Zhongke, Beijing Junzheng, and Guoxin Technology, with manufacturing handled by SMIC and Huahong. As the core hardware for AI training and inference, vendors like Cambrian, Hygon Information, Jingjia Micro, Moore Threads, and Muxi Co., Ltd. have become industry focal points.

Microcontrollers (MCUs) integrate computing power and storage on a single chip, with companies like GigaDevice, Zhaoyi Innovation, Guoxin Technology, SMIC Micro, and others steadily developing in this niche. Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), which can be reprogrammed after manufacturing to redefine functionality, have clear advantages in complex application scenarios. Major suppliers include Unigroup Ziguang Micro, Fudan Microelectronics, and Anlu Technology.

**Determinism in the Storage Chip Industry Chain**

Storage chips are singled out due to the current clear growth drivers in this field. The price increase cycle is ongoing, and performance disclosures starting from January will attract renewed market attention. Companies across the industry chain are likely to perform well—on the chip design side, companies like GigaDevice, Lianchuang Technology, Dongxin Co., Ltd., Puran Co., Ltd., Lianyun Technology, and Unigroup Ziguang Micro; wafer foundries led by SMIC and Huahong; packaging and testing include Changdian Technology, Tongfu Microelectronics, and Huafeng Testing; storage modules supplied by Jiangbolong, Buwei Storage, and Demingli; and Yangtze Memory and Changxin Storage as backup forces are also worth tracking.

**Invisible Empowerment of Equipment and Materials**

Every step of chip manufacturing relies on specialized equipment and high-end materials. Silicon wafer suppliers (Hoshine Silicon Industry, Lianyang Micro, Yanyan Silicon) lay the foundation for the entire industry. Key materials such as polishing materials, special gases, photoresists, and target materials are supplied by companies like Anji Technology, Huate Gas, Nanda Optoelectronics, and Shanghai Xinyang.

In manufacturing equipment, etching equipment is developed by North Huachuang, Micro, and Yitang Co.; thin-film deposition equipment by North Huachuang, Tuojing Technology, and Dedao Nano; cleaning equipment by Shenmei Shanghai and Zhi Chun Technology. Testing involves specialized vendors such as Changchuan Technology, Huafeng Testing, and Zhongke Feice.

**2026 Strategic Outlook**

Within the entire semiconductor ecosystem, core companies in each segment may not necessarily lead the market hot spots directly by 2026. However, once industry trends activate, these targets are unavoidable allocations. For January’s investment layout, priority should be given to fields with high performance certainty—storage chips and manufacturing equipment are prime examples. These two directions are supported by solid fundamentals and resonate with market sentiment.