** Chipmakers set to end 2025 higher as investments in AI persist despite widespread fears of a bubble

** Benchmark Philadelphia Semiconductor Index .SOX set to close over 43% higher; its third consecutive year of gains

** AI bellwether Nvidia NVDA.O on track to gain ~40%; custom AI chip designer Broadcom AVGO.O headed for 50% annual rise

** Nvidia rival AMD AMD.O set to close ~80% higher, as customer base expands and new launches accelerate

** Intel INTC.O on track for 86% annual increase, following 60% drop in 2024, as new investments from the U.S. Government, Nvidia and SoftBank Group 9984.T help shore up finances

** Memory chipmaker Micron MU.O on track to rise nearly 250%, as AI demand-linked global memory shortage boosts investor sentiment

** Smartphone semiconductor designer Qualcomm QCOM.O set for 13% rise on improving end-market demand

** "AI still in fashion"- Jefferies analysts say in outlook note for 2026

(Reporting by Arsheeya Bajwa in Bengaluru)

((ArsheeyaSingh.Bajwa@thomsonreuters.com; +91 8510015800;))