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Broadcom & OpenAI Unveil Jalapeno AI Chip: More Upside for AVGO Stock?

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Key Takeaways

  • Broadcom and OpenAI unveiled Jalapeno, a custom AI inference chip for large language models.
  • Jalapeno is set for gigawatt-scale data centers starting in late 2026 to improve AI efficiency.
  • AVGO expects AI semiconductor revenues to top $100B in 2027, backed by hyperscale demand.

Broadcom (AVGO - Free Report) and OpenAI unveiled Jalapeño, the latter’s first custom AI inference processor, designed specifically for large language models (LLMs). Developed in just nine months, the chip is optimized for AI inference by balancing compute, memory and networking, with early tests indicating industry-leading performance per watt. Broadcom contributed silicon implementation, Tomahawk networking and system integration to enable large-scale production. 

Jalapeño is the first in a multi-generation compute platform that will be deployed in gigawatt-scale data centers beginning in late 2026, supporting OpenAI’s broader strategy to build a full-stack AI infrastructure. The companies said the accelerator is designed to support current and future LLMs across the industry while lowering AI compute costs and improving efficiency. Broadcom expects the collaboration to extend over multiple generations and help power large AI clusters for OpenAI, Microsoft and other partners

The announcement reinforces Broadcom’s long-term AI growth outlook by validating its custom AI accelerator and networking strategy. On its second-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call, management disclosed that silicon for OpenAI had already been delivered and remained on track for production in late 2026, with a contractual commitment to deploy 1.3 gigawatts of compute in 2027 as part of a broader 10-gigawatt agreement through 2029. 

Broadcom also reiterated expectations for AI semiconductor revenues to exceed $100 billion in 2027, supported by sustained demand from OpenAI and other hyperscale customers. The Jalapeño launch provides tangible evidence that Broadcom’s custom silicon roadmap is progressing as planned and strengthens revenue visibility across multiple years.

AVGO Faces Tough Competition in the Semiconductor Market

Broadcom is facing stiff competition from NVIDIA (NVDA - Free Report) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - Free Report) in the semiconductor space.

NVIDIA is at the center of AI computing, with its products widely used across data centers, gaming and autonomous vehicles. The company’s newer Hopper 200 and Blackwell GPU platforms are being adopted quickly as customers work to grow their AI infrastructure. Data Center revenues reached $75.2 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, up 92% from a year ago and up 21% sequentially, driven by the ramp-up of Blackwell 300 products and demand for InfiniBand, Spectrum-X Ethernet and NVLink solutions. 

AMD’s prospects are benefiting from strong demand for EPYC processors that power cloud and enterprise workloads. AMD believes EPYC’s expanding portfolio — including the upcoming sixth-generation Venice family and AI-optimized Verano processors — positions AMD to capture substantial market share gains as hyperscalers deploy broader AI compute architectures. Management indicated that server CPU revenues are expected to grow more than 70% year over year in the second quarter, with strong growth continuing into 2027 as new EPYC products ramp.

AVGO’s Share Price Performance, Valuation & Estimates

Broadcom shares have appreciated 9.5% year to date, underperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector’s return of 14.2%.

AVGO Stock Lags Sector

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The AVGO stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month price/sales of 12.44X compared with the broader sector’s 6.41X. Broadcom has a Value Score of D.

AVGO Stock Has a Stretched Valuation

Zacks Investment Research
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVGO’s fiscal 2026 earnings is pegged at $11.73 per share, up 2.8% over the past 60 days, suggesting 72% growth from the figure reported in fiscal 2025.

Broadcom currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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