AI‑fuelled chip suppliers spark Russell 2000’s best half‑year since 1991
The Russell 2000 surged nearly 22% in H1 2026, its strongest half-year performance since 1991, as AI infrastructure spending rippled down into the small-cap space. Chip‑equipment firms like Aehr Test Systems and MaxLinear rallied over 400%, driving consensus earnings growth forecasts for the index to 38% and suggesting the momentum could persist if rates stay low.