Embattled Chinese developers have turned to a new strategy to resuscitate their ailing businesses: diversifying into semiconductor production.

Certain listed property companies have seen their shares skyrocket – some by hundreds of per cent – after announcing investments in “chipmaking”. Such strategic diversification efforts have sparked a buying frenzy among retail investors in the mainland’s A-share market.

“Chip-themed stocks are the new darlings of individual investors since [such stocks] play a key role in China’s technological innovation and carry the hopes of the whole nation,” said Ding Haifeng, a consultant at financial­-advisory firm Integrity, based in Shanghai. “The fanfare surrounding the companies is just a rude reminder that exchanges on the mainland could become a speculators’ market if company fundamentals are ignored.”

Beijing-based developer Metro Land saw its Shanghai-traded shares hit the 10 per cent daily limit to reach 20.85 yuan on May 13 after an official announcement that the firm would buy a 20 per cent stake in Xian Qixin Optoelectronics Technology, which uses laser signals to produce advanced chips.

Based on the closing price that day, shares of the unprofitable firm had advanced 389 per cent from the end of 2025. The stock has since retreated 23.5 per cent to 15.96 yuan on Friday after the Shanghai Stock Exchange issued an inquiry letter demanding that Metro Land clarify details about the deal and disclose its financial health.

The developer reported a net loss of 1.2 billion yuan (US$176.5 million) last year – a deficit that widened 15.3 per cent from 2024.