On April 13, A-shares opened lower but climbed higher throughout the trading session, with chip stocks on the Science and Technology Innovation Board showing particularly strong performance. The Huabao Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Board Chip ETF (589190), which provides comprehensive exposure to the chip industry, saw its price rise over 2% intraday, marking a potential sixth consecutive day of gains. A majority of stocks in the sector closed higher, with Centec Networks (688188) leading the pack with a 10% surge. Boosted by strong earnings reports, Hygon Information Technology (688041) advanced nearly 9%, while Henan Shijia Photons Technology (688313) rose over 8% to set a new historical high. Other top gainers included OptiXcommunications Technology, Loongson Technology, and Biwin Storage, with Cambricon (688256) also climbing over 3%.
The rally comes as several AI chip companies have recently released their 2025 annual reports. Benefiting from the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies and the accelerated adoption of applications like large AI models and AI agents, leading AI chip firms reported substantial revenue growth. For instance, Cambricon Technologies saw its operating revenue surge 453.21% year-over-year, achieving its first annual profit and selling over 100,000 units of its intelligent chips and card products annually. Hygon Information Technology reported operating revenue of 14.377 billion yuan, a 56.92% increase year-over-year, with net profit attributable to shareholders reaching 2.545 billion yuan, up 31.79%.
Furthermore, optical chip companies remained active. With persistently high growth in AI computing demand, optical communication has become a critical component of AI computing infrastructure development. Industry leader Lumentum forecasts an 85% compound annual growth rate for indium phosphide optical chips from 2026 to 2030, highlighting significant growth potential in upstream core component segments.
According to analysis from AJ Securities, the domestic chip industry chain is poised for a historic development opportunity. Key segments include memory chip modules, memory chip packaging and testing, memory chip manufacturing, and related upstream equipment and materials. Among these, equipment and materials are also critical for the development of the domestic semiconductor industry, with investment opportunities related to import substitution recommended for close attention.
For investors seeking exposure to the chip industry's "super cycle," high-volatility growth stocks are a preferred choice. Public information indicates that the Huabao Shanghai Sci-Tech Innovation Board Chip ETF (589190) and its feeder fund passively track the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board Chip Index. While providing balanced, full-chain exposure to the chip industry, the ETF maintains over 90% weighting in core areas like integrated circuits and semiconductor equipment, reflecting high concentration in hard technology with strong technical barriers.
Data shows that as of the end of 2025, the SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board Chip Index achieved an annualized return of 17.93% since its base date, significantly outperforming peers such as the STAR Market ChiNext Semiconductor Index, the China Semiconductor Index, and the CSI All Share Semiconductor Index, while also exhibiting smaller maximum drawdowns and a superior risk-return profile.
Note: The SSE Science and Technology Innovation Board Chip Index's performance over the past five full years is as follows: +6.87% in 2021, -33.69% in 2022, +7.26% in 2023, +34.52% in 2024, and +61.33% in 2025. The index's constituent stocks are adjusted periodically according to its compilation rules, and its past performance is not indicative of future results.
A golden cross signal has formed on the MACD indicator, indicating positive momentum for these stocks.
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