Aside from broader economic concerns, investors continue to focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and its many potential applications. However, semiconductor company STMicroelectronics (New York Stock Exchange: STM) is underrated but definitely worth considering as a more reliable AI play. Essentially, the Enterprise (commonly called ST) represents the behind the scenes of the AI revolution. I am bullish on STM stocks.
Ready or not, AI is here
For the big picture story, TipRanks reporter Michael Marcus might best say, “AI is here, ready or not.” While chatbot ChatGPT’s launch has generated a lot of buzz, Marcus said the development is “just the tip of a much larger iceberg.” Companies that continue to ignore the continued acceleration of digital technology will miss out on huge returns.
Additionally, the AI sector has evolved to the point where investors have many options depending on their specific risk tolerance level. Still, for those nervous about steep losses, betting on his AI company in direct play poses the possibility of complete catastrophe not unrealistically. To alleviate such concerns while betting on AI, STM stocks offer an attractive alternative.
STM Stocks Offer Relevant Reliability
If you look around the blogosphere, relatively few people are promoting Dutch multinational semiconductor manufacturer ST. At the same time, the main advantage underlying the STM stock is reliability. While many AI startups are characterized by ambitious business models, ST leads relevant and established operations.
Even better, the company presents compelling financial metrics that deserve closer scrutiny. Admittedly, this is not the most exciting opportunity in AI. But it will probably keep the ship afloat.
AI enterprises arguably represent one of the most significant opportunities in the market, but no one knows how successful individual companies will be. With STM stocks, this particular source of melancholy does not exist. Put another way, as an established business, ST may continue to move higher regardless of AI’s ultimate trajectory.
Nevertheless, STM stock should represent a downwind beneficiary if the machine is consistently integrated into everyday functions. According to the underlying company’s website, “ST has been actively involved in AI research for many years.” Additionally, the company believes the developer will “leverage his AI technology in ST microcontrollers and sensors.” We have developed a tool that allows you to
In particular, ST’s accelerated application stands out in two major efforts. First, AI protocols bring much of the heavy lifting of cloud infrastructure closer to the source of action, resulting in more efficient end-to-end solutions. With ST providing various components related to cloud-based operations, STM’s inventory should increase due to increased digitization.
Second, AI has become a key component of automated and autonomous assisted driving systems. In fact, AI for road safety will be the fastest growing sub-segment due to the increase in serious car accidents since the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, ST offers advanced sensors and microcontrollers for automotive applications. These and other associations make STM look like a reliable investment in the broader AI ecosystem.
Finance offers another fascinating angle
Beyond the STM stock’s business fundamentals, the underlying financials also provide confidence to prospective investors. In particular, ST has achieved strong growth. In the fourth quarter of 2022, ST posted revenue of $4.42 billion for him. This is an increase of more than 24% year-on-year. Based on a three-year average, ST’s revenue growth was 19.1%, compared to 68.6% for competing semiconductor companies.
In addition, the three-year free cash flow (FCF) growth rate is 36.9%. In contrast, the sector median is 6.55%. ST outperforms its competitors by 75.3% on this metric.
In terms of profitability, the company posted a net profit margin of 24.6% over the past year. This statistic surpasses his 86.25% of companies in the semiconductor industry. In addition, ST’s return on equity was 38.14%, reflecting a high quality business.
Finally, the market prices STM stock at a forward multiple of 12.6, ranking it higher (lower) than its rivals at 82.1%. Simply put, if the AI narrative fails for any reason, ST will buy for its financial resilience alone.
Is STM Stock a Buy, According to Analysts?
Turning to Wall Street, STM stock has a medium buy consensus rating based on 5 buy, 1 hold, and 1 sell ratings. Additionally, STM’s average price target is $61.20, suggesting a 23.3% upside potential.

STM stock also has a Smart Score rating of 9 out of 10 on TipRanks. This indicates that the stock is likely to outperform the broader market.

Tip: Enjoy trusted AI trading with STM Stock
There is nothing wrong with betting on ambitious AI-driven companies, but such bets carry a high degree of risk. For a more realistic investment, STM stocks arguably offer the better option. By manufacturing the components AI specialists need, we gain indirect exposure to a burgeoning market while providing more conservative investors with established operations.
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