The global chip shortage started after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Companies are still struggling to get enough computer chips for their products to meet customer demand. This industry disruption, along with the 2022 bear market, has wreaked havoc on semiconductor stocks. For reference, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ: SOXX) is down 38% year to date. 

But among the wreckage and supply chain woes are some wonderful investment opportunities. Here's why Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) is a monster opportunity for investors amid this global chip shortage. 

Building modern computer chips is a complicated process. Manufacturers like Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing need insane levels of precision, efficiency, and technological know-how to put so much computing power onto tiny little semiconductor wafers. This is where Applied Materials steps in. The company sells machines that manipulate materials on an atomic level and an industrial scale for chipmakers. In fact, according to Applied's website, its machines and other engineering solutions help build virtually every computer chip and advanced digital display in the world. 

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Source Fool.com