3 US Tech Stocks Retail Investors Are Watching Before The Jobs Report

Markets are tiptoeing into the September jobs report with US stock futures firmer, bond yields sensitive, and oil holding near triple digits. Growth-oriented technology stocks sit right in the crosshairs of that mix. Rate expectations, hiring trends, and inflation signals can quickly sway how investors price future earnings. This article explores three US tech stocks from our screener that appear especially exposed to today’s macro story, for better or worse.

The three stocks below are just a starter pack, and the full screen surfaced 41 more companies with equally detailed growth stories that are not covered here. To identify and analyze the highest conviction outliers in this growth-heavy corner of tech, head straight into the US Growth-Oriented Technology Stocks screener.

FormFactor (FORM)

Overview: FormFactor builds semiconductor test equipment, with probe cards and related systems that help chip makers validate advanced processors, memory, and AI hardware.

Operations: FormFactor generates about US$747 million from Probe Cards and US$155 million from Systems, serving chip producers across Asia, the US, and Europe.

Market Cap: US$11.7b

FormFactor taps directly into the screener’s growth-oriented semiconductor theme, since its test gear sits where AI, high-performance chips, and investor rate expectations all intersect, which is why the current macro focus on yields and tech spending makes this story particularly timely.

"Accelerating adoption of generative AI, high-performance computing, and HBM DRAM in data centers is driving substantial increases in test complexity and intensity. FormFactor's differentiated probe cards and early leadership in HBM4 chiplet testing position the company to benefit from higher ASPs and revenue growth as these markets scale."

What happens to those ambitious margin and earnings targets depends heavily on how one emerging cost and capacity pressure ultimately plays out.

That cost pressure is exactly what the full narrative for FormFactor unpacks, separating temporary margin strain from longer term earnings power for FormFactor.

Entegris (ENTG)

Overview: Entegris supplies advanced materials, filtration, and contamination control products that keep semiconductor and other high-tech manufacturing lines clean and running efficiently.

Operations: Entegris generates about US$1.41b from Materials Solutions and US$1.8b from Advanced Purity Solutions, with broad exposure across Asia, North America, and Europe.

Market Cap: US$24.2b

Entegris is closely connected to the growth-oriented tech theme because it sells the consumables fabs need every day. Shifts in AI demand, rate expectations, and Nasdaq sentiment can all influence how investors view its future earnings power.

"Rising AI related demand for advanced logic, HBM, DRAM and higher layer NAND is increasing Entegris’ materials and filtration content per wafer and is already visible in double digit growth in liquid filtration, CMP pads, advanced deposition materials and selective etch chemistries, which can support further revenue and gross margin expansion as these nodes scale."

The key issue now is how one still emerging pressure ultimately shapes the balance between that AI driven demand and future profitability.

How that pressure ultimately reshapes Entegris’ earnings mix is exactly what the full narrative for Entegris lays out, including where AI driven demand could still be underappreciated.

Advanced Energy Industries (AEIS)

Overview: Advanced Energy Industries provides precision power systems that feed semiconductor tools and electronics manufacturing, tying its fortunes closely to tech capex cycles.

Operations: Advanced Energy Industries generates about US$2.0b from Power Electronics Conversion Products, with revenue spread across the US, Mexico, Japan and other international markets.

Market Cap: US$11.8b

Advanced Energy Industries plugs directly into the screener’s theme because its power hardware sits behind both chipmaking equipment and data center build outs, so shifts in rate expectations or tech spending can quickly change how investors price that growth.

"Data Center Computing outlook: At least 50% growth, raised from mid-30%. One number in the quarter can trip the breaker if you're not careful: GAAP earnings absorbed roughly $0.75 per diluted share from an inducement expense tied to converting the company's 2028 notes."

What really matters now is how one still unresolved tension between rapid demand and the cost of funding that expansion shapes future returns.

That funding question is exactly where the full narrative for Advanced Energy Industries picks up, explaining how Advanced Energy Industries balances accelerating demand, capital costs, and overlooked upside drivers.

Seeking Alternatives Before Momentum Flies

Fresh ideas move first. Breakout stories often run before headlines catch up, while under the radar for now. Do not get caught watching. Act now and aim to get in early.

• Spot resilient compounders before they are crowded by screening for a curated list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (26 results) that can handle shocks while others are still scrambling.
• Chase real cash flow, not hype, by scanning 37 profitable AI stocks that aren't just burning cash that already fund their own growth while many peers are still burning capital.
• Position for the next infrastructure wave by reviewing 40 power grid technology and infrastructure stocks quietly building the backbone for electrification while the market focus lags.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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