Direxion Daily Semiconductors Bull 3x Shares (SOXL) experienced a significant surge of 5.01% in pre-market trading on Thursday, reflecting growing optimism in the semiconductor sector. This leveraged ETF, which aims to deliver three times the daily performance of the ICE Semiconductor Index, is benefiting from positive industry forecasts and increasing demand for AI-related chip applications.

The rally in SOXL can be largely attributed to encouraging news from key players in the semiconductor equipment industry. BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi), a Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier, announced expectations of a sequential increase in sales for the fourth quarter. This positive outlook is primarily driven by rising orders related to artificial intelligence (AI) data center applications. Besi, known for manufacturing precise hybrid bonding equipment crucial for leading chip manufacturers like Nvidia, Broadcom, and TSMC, reported a 15.1% increase in order intake for the third quarter, reaching 174.7 million euros.

This upbeat forecast from Besi underscores the growing importance of AI in driving semiconductor demand. As major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI infrastructure, the semiconductor industry is poised to benefit from increased chip production and advanced packaging technologies. The optimism surrounding AI-driven growth is likely a key factor in SOXL's pre-market rally, as investors anticipate positive performance across the broader semiconductor sector.