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AMD Warns of $1.5 Billion Revenue Hit from U.S. China Chip Export Curbs, But AI Demand Remains Strong

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) warned on Tuesday that new U.S. restrictions on AI chip exports to China will cost the company $1.5 billion in revenue for 2025, as Washington intensifies efforts to limit China’s access to advanced technology. Despite the projected hit, AMD’s second-quarter revenue forecast surpassed Wall Street expectations, buoyed by early chip purchases from customers bracing for trade disruptions.

The Biden and Trump administrations have both ramped up controls on exports of high-performance chips to China, citing national security risks related to AI capabilities. These measures now require chipmakers like AMD and Nvidia to obtain export licenses, effectively slowing or blocking shipments of advanced processors.

CEO Lisa Su said most of the export-related impact will be felt in Q2 and Q3, but expressed confidence in broader business strength. “It’s certainly a headwind, but one which we think is well contained,” Su said, noting that AI chip revenue in AMD’s data center segment is expected to grow by “strong double digits” this year.

China represents about 25% of AMD’s total revenue, and the export curbs are expected to shave nearly 5% off 2025 revenue projections, which currently sit at $31.03 billion, per LSEG data.

In Q1, AMD reported:

  • Total revenue of $7.44 billion, up 36% year-over-year, beating the estimate of $7.25 billion

  • Adjusted earnings of 96 cents per share, 2 cents above consensus

  • Data center revenue surged 57% to $3.7 billion, above the $3.62 billion estimate

For Q2, AMD expects revenue of $7.4 billion ± $300 million, also ahead of forecasts. However, the company is still absorbing an $800 million charge due to April’s newly enacted tariffs.

CFO Jean Hu confirmed the $1.5 billion forecasted revenue loss is tied directly to the latest April export controls. Analysts suggest the current surge in orders reflects pre-buying behavior” from large cloud clients like Microsoft and Meta, who are stockpiling chips ahead of licensing uncertainty.

Once those safety-stock closets are full, Q3 could feel like the morning after a Red Bull binge,”
warned Michael Schulman, CIO at Running Point Capital.

Meanwhile, rivals Marvell Technology and Super Micro both disappointed investors, citing economic uncertainty and reduced AI-related optimism. Their shares fell 4.5% and 5%, respectively, in after-hours trading.

AMD’s solid results highlight its growing role in powering AI infrastructure for hyperscalers, even as trade tensions and tariffs loom over the semiconductor industry.

Equinix Malaysia Explores Alternative Energy Ahead of July Tariff Hike Amid Data Center Expansion

Equinix Malaysia, the local arm of global data center operator Equinix, is evaluating alternative energy providers to mitigate the impact of a 14.2% electricity tariff increase set to take effect in July, the company said on Wednesday. The tariff hike is expected to significantly raise operational costs, especially for energy-intensive data center operations.

Cheam Tat Inn, managing director of Equinix Malaysia, stated during a media walkabout at the Cyberjaya data centernow completing its second phase—that the company is actively engaging with renewable energy providers, although specific sources and timelines have not been disclosed.

Equinix currently operates two facilities in Malaysia:

  • Cyberjaya with a capacity of 4.8 megawatts (MW)

  • Johor with 2.4 MW, which is fully subscribed following its launch in May 2023.

Cheam added that customer occupancy at the Cyberjaya site is rising rapidly, underscoring strong regional demand for digital infrastructure.

Malaysia is in the midst of a data center boom, with forecasts projecting a fourfold increase in facilities over the next decade from the current 18, collectively demanding over 800MW of electricity. The surge is largely driven by the growing demand for AI and cloud services, with tech giants such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, ByteDance, and Oracle investing billions in the country.

Equinix has also been aggressively expanding across Southeast Asia, acquiring three data centers in the Philippines last year and maintaining operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore as it positions itself to tap into the region’s digital growth trajectory.

CoreWeave’s Nasdaq Debut Valued at $23 Billion Amid Market Volatility

CoreWeave, an AI infrastructure company backed by Nvidia, made its muted debut on the Nasdaq on Friday, with shares closing flat after opening nearly 3% below its initial offer price. The debut gives the company a fully diluted valuation of $23 billion, but the lackluster performance has raised concerns about the broader market’s appetite for IPOs, especially amid tariff uncertainties and a turbulent equity market.

The stock opened at $39, below the IPO price of $40, and closed with little change. This followed a challenging pre-IPO process, where CoreWeave downsized its offering. The company is part of the AI infrastructure wave, providing access to data centers and Nvidia chips, which are in high demand for developing AI applications.

Despite these promising prospects, concerns about long-term growth and risks in a volatile market persist. CoreWeave’s heavy reliance on major clients like Microsoft, which accounts for a significant portion of its revenue, has drawn attention, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Big Tech’s AI investment strategies and competition from cheaper AI solutions like China’s DeepSeek.

CoreWeave’s IPO raised $1.5 billion, with Nvidia contributing a $250 million order. The company has secured a substantial contract with OpenAI, valued at $11.9 billion, to reduce customer concentration risks. However, CoreWeave faces challenges due to its capital intensity, debt load, and reliance on leased data centers.