Societe Generale Sees Chip Selling Keeping Equity Volatility Elevated

Societe Generale says the retreat in semiconductor shares and rising equity volatility point to investors cutting risk, a shift that may leave markets exposed to more weakness through year-end.

The bank points to heavier equity trading, weaker market breadth and greater demand for options hedges as evidence that institutions are reducing exposure. It also flags continued deleveraging in semiconductor stocks, a stronger dollar and investors trimming positions or adding hedges as potential pressures on equities through year-end.

The chip-market concerns follow an earlier Seoul chip-stock sell-off. Despite the near-term risks, Societe Generale remains positive on equities overall. The bank expects equity performance to improve after possible further weakness and anticipates elevated volatility into 2027.