NXP Semiconductors Popped: What You Need to Know

Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.

What: Shares of near-field communications (NFC) chip builder NXP Semiconductors (NAS: NXPI) jumped as much as 13.7% today on fairly heavy volume.

So what: Several analyst firms just released updates on the semiconductor market, often echoing the same prediction of slower growth going forward but steady gains nonetheless. At least one of these reports, from CAPS All-Star Barclays Capital, held up NXP as a favorite stock as the NFC stuff continues to gain momentum.

Now what: Handset makers from Motorola Mobility (NYS: MMI) to Nokia (NYS: NOK) are adopting NFC tech as if it's the next big thing in mobile computing, often ordering chips from niche leader NXP. The one notable holdout among leading handset designers is Apple (NAS: AAPL) , whose iPhone 5 isn't expected to support that mobile payment platform. But Cupertino has always preferred to introduce new features only after perfecting them. NXP is one of those soon-to-be-ubiquitous mobile plays that jump every time we're reminded of their existence, and Barclays certainly did that.

Interested in more info on NXP Semiconductors? Add it to your watchlist.

At the time thisarticle was published Fool contributor Anders Bylund holds no position in any of the companies discussed here. The Motley Fool owns shares of Apple. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended buying shares of NXP Semiconductors and Apple. Motley Fool newsletter services have recommended creating a bull call spread position in Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool is investors writing for investors.

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