Stock Market Today, Dec. 17: Broadcom Drops on China AI Chip Breakthrough and AI Buildout Uncertainty
Summarize this article with:
By Howard Smith – Dec 17, 2025 at 5:13PM ESTNASDAQ: AVGOBroadcomMarket Cap$1.6TToday's Changeangle-down(-4.48%) $15.28Current Price$326.02Price as of December 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM ETToday, Dec. 17, 2025, investors are weighing fresh China AI competition against Broadcom’s pivotal role in powering AI infrastructure.ExpandNASDAQ: AVGOBroadcomToday's Change(-4.48%) $-15.28Current Price$326.02Key Data PointsMarket Cap$1.6TDay's Range$321.42 - $346.6152wk Range$138.10 - $414.61Volume73MAvg Vol25MGross Margin64.71%Dividend Yield0.69%Broadcom (AVGO 4.48%), which designs and supplies semiconductor devices and infrastructure software solutions, closed at $326.02, down 4.48%. Trading volume reached 73 million shares, coming in about 287% above versus its three-month average of 26 million shares.How the markets moved todayWednesday’s trading reflected renewed concern about AI chip profitability and competitive threats from Chinese AI developments, and investors are watching how Broadcom manages margins alongside VMware integration and AI infrastructure demand. The S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.16%) fell 1.15% to 6,722, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 1.81%) lost 1.81% to close at 22,694. Among Semiconductors industry rivals, Nvidia (NVDA 3.78%) slid 3.81% and Intel (INTC 3.38%) dropped 3.38%, underscoring broad pressure on major AI-focused chipmakers.What this means for investorsRising competition from China had tech investors on their heels to start the day. It only got worse with reports that one private equity firm may not back an Oracle data center project as had been expected. An ongoing Chinese government project to boost semiconductor self-sufficiency made a breakthrough, according to reports. While it has yet to result in working chips, a laboratory prototype represents progress. Investors are also souring on names like Broadcom as questions arise around AI infrastructure funding. Reports today that Blue Owl Capital may not back the Oracle project as expected gave investors another reason to book profits today.About the AuthorHoward Smith is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering technology and industrial stocks. Prior to The Motley Fool, Howard spent nearly 30 years supervising quality and operations in the steel industry, mostly with leading steel company Nucor. He holds a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Lafayette College and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Johns Hopkins University.TMFBuilt2LastRead NextDec 16, 2025 •By Daniel SparksDown About 18% From Recent Highs, Is Broadcom Stock a Buy?Dec 16, 2025 •By Danny Vena, CPAPossible Stock Splits in 2026: 2 Unstoppable Stocks Up 337% and 1,780% in 2 Years to Buy Now, According to Wall StreetDec 15, 2025 •By Geoffrey SeilerBroadcom's Momentum Continues, but Stock Slides.
Is It Time to Buy the Stock?Dec 15, 2025 •By Johnny RiceWhy Broadcom Stock Sank 5.6% TodayDec 15, 2025 •By Timothy GreenHere's The Real Reason Why Broadcom Stock Tumbled Last WeekDec 15, 2025 •By Daniel FoelberAfter Outperforming Every "Magnificent Seven" Stock in 2025, Is Broadcom Still a Buy for 2026?