Whispers of Value in the Machine Age

The market swells, a bloated beast gorging on optimism. They speak of peaks, of indices reaching for the clouds. But a man can smell the rot beneath the gilt. The so-called ‘CAPE ratio’ – a fancy name for measuring how much folks are willing to believe in future earnings – nears forty. A dangerous height. It suggests the air is thin, and a fall is becoming… probable. Bargains? They’re becoming specters, whispered about but rarely seen.

Yet, even in this frenzy surrounding the artificial intelligence – this new god of efficiency – a few stones remain unturned. Amazon and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Not shining beacons, mind you, but solid ground for a weary traveler. They offer a semblance of value, a chance to build something lasting amidst the shifting sands.

Amazon: The Ever-Expanding Warehouse

Amazon. A name that echoes in every town, in every home. It began with books, they say. Now it’s everything. A vast, relentless machine consuming and delivering. They pour billions into this ‘AI’ – a promise of more efficiency, of fewer hands needed. Andy Jassy, the man at the helm, speaks of a great migration – from owning your own machines to renting power from the cloud. A sensible shift, perhaps, for those who can afford it. But what of those who built and maintained those machines? They are not mentioned in the glossy reports.

Over $125 billion invested, they boast. Chips, algorithms, platforms… all designed to extract more from each hour, each worker. Bedrock, their custom platform, is just another layer in the edifice. It grows, it expands, and the shadows it casts lengthen with each passing year. The machine doesn’t care for sentiment, only for output.

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It’s a relentless growth, from delivering trinkets to controlling the very infrastructure of the digital world. This ‘AI’ business merely accelerates the process. And yet, the stock trades at a mere 34 times earnings. A pittance, considering the empire it commands. It has crept up 6% in the last year, a slow, steady climb. Perhaps a reward for those who understand the game.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing: The Engine of Progress

Taiwan Semiconductor. The name lacks poetry, but its function is vital. They don’t sell dreams; they manufacture the tools that enable those who do. Eighty-five percent of all new semiconductor prototypes flow through their factories. Every ambitious AI project, every digital trinket, relies on their precision. They are the silent engine driving this new age.

An established giant, yes, with a healthy 54% operating margin. But they are not resting on their laurels. Sales increased 21% last quarter. The ‘AI tailwinds,’ as they call it, are strong. All that money flowing into Amazon and its peers… a portion of it inevitably finds its way back to Taiwan Semiconductor. It’s a simple equation, obscured by layers of marketing and hype.

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And yet, the stock trades at a mere 32 times sales. Barely moved in the last year, despite a 60% gain. A strange undervaluation for a company that holds such sway over the future. A quiet opportunity, perhaps, for those who understand the true cost of progress.

These are not soaring rockets promising instant riches. They are solid foundations, built on labor and ingenuity. A chance to find value in a world obsessed with illusion. A man can build on that.

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2026-01-21 06:25