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Chip Shortage Bites Back: Why Prices Are Surging Again

Left 90% Center coverage: 21 sources Right

United States

February 16, 2026 (Updated: February 16, 2026) 0 Center Negative I want money/finance advice

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SOXX iShares Semiconductor ETF

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Direction

Bullish

Confidence

75%

Impact Window

3-6 Months

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TheWkly Analysis

Demand for semiconductors surged in late 2023, but major U.S. chipmakers held back on expanding production after past boom-bust cycles caused heavy losses. Storage and memory expert Thomas Coughlin points out that little investment occurred in new capacity through 2024 and most of 2025, sparking today's shortages. This is pushing up prices for electronics, cars, and appliances that American families depend on. Early-career professionals and parents face steeper costs for smartphones, laptops, and vehicles with supplies tightening. Our analysis indicates this could add hundreds of dollars to household budgets, straining mid-life financial planning and work-life balance as essential tech grows pricier.

What this means for you:

•	Wallet Impact: 17/20 - Higher prices for gadgets, cars, and appliances strain family budgets and delay tech upgrades.
•	Career Impact: 12/20 - Shortages disrupt tech and auto sectors, leading to job volatility for engineers and supply chain workers.
•	Family/Health: 8/20 - Costlier devices limit access to educational tools and remote health monitoring for families.
•	Daily Life: 15/20 - Affects everyday tech like phones, streaming, and smart homes, forcing consumer adjustments.
•	Environment: 6/20 - Inefficient production may indirectly boost energy use.

Your Wallet

Your next smartphone or laptop could cost $100-300 more thanks to chip shortages, and car prices might stay elevated too—time to shop sales now. Tech jobs could grow a bit, but everyday bills for gadgets sting first. SOXX might pop short-term if you're investing, but volatility could burn casual holders.

Key Entities

• Big Three - Leading U.S. semiconductor manufacturers remaining cautious after overproduction losses.
• Thomas Coughlin - Storage and memory expert noting lack of investment in new capacity.
• IEEE Spectrum - Publication sharing Coughlin's insights on industry trends.
• Semiconductor industry - Sector grappling with renewed shortages from delayed expansions.

Bias Distribution

Left: 5% (1 source)

Center: 90% (19 sources)

Right: 5% (1 source)

Source & Verification

Source: morning_brew

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Chip Shortage Bites Back: Why Prices Are Surging Again

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Key Entities

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