And this stock is Super Micro Computer ( SMCI 0.07%), a company that saw its stock price soar 188% in the first half, surpassing Nvidia's 149% increase. Though individual forecasts vary, the average Wall Street estimate calls for the stock to climb 90% from today's level.

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been one of the hottest artificial intelligence (AI) stocks on the market. Its split-adjusted share price has increased nearly 700% since 2023. But the stock has actually slipped 14% since peaking around $136 per share in June, shortly after the company completed its 10-for-1 stock split.

Investors have found another major way to play the artificial-intelligence trend besides semiconductor stocks, and that’s led to a changing of the guard atop this year’s list of the best S&P 500 performers.

Back in the dot-com boom era, stock splits became commonplace in response to soaring share prices. Amid the current artificial intelligence (AI) boom, a similar pattern could be developing. Already, several AI companies have split their shares, and more splits could be on the way among the others that are trading at lofty prices.

It's a stock that can appeal to any wallet. After an astronomical rise, investors are unsure about what to do with Nvidia stock. There are reasons it could continue to soar but also reasons why it might be taking a break.

Whatever company can encroach on Nvidia's massive market share of reportedly 70% to 95% in artificial intelligence (AI) chips will benefit in two ways: increased income and reduced expenses. After all,