Yazılar

TSMC Fourth-Quarter Revenue Jumps 20%, Beating Market Forecasts

/in /tarafından

TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker, reported a 20.45% year-on-year rise in fourth-quarter revenue on Friday, beating market expectations as booming demand for artificial intelligence applications lifted sales.

Revenue for the October–December period reached T$1.046 trillion ($33.11 billion), based on Reuters calculations from the company’s monthly disclosures, up from T$868.46 billion a year earlier. The result topped an LSEG SmartEstimate of T$1.036 trillion and came within the company’s previous guidance range of $32.2 billion to $33.4 billion issued in October.

TSMC has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global AI boom, supplying advanced chips to customers such as Nvidia and Apple. Strong AI-related demand has more than offset softer orders for chips used in consumer electronics, where pandemic-driven demand has faded.

The company is scheduled to report full fourth-quarter earnings on January 15, when it is expected to provide updated guidance for the current quarter and the full year. Investors will be watching closely for details on capital expenditure plans and revenue growth expectations.

TSMC’s Taipei-listed shares rose 44.2% in 2025, significantly outperforming the broader Taiwanese market, which gained 25.7%. The strong performance mirrors broader momentum in the semiconductor supply chain driven by AI. Earlier this week, Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker and a key Nvidia server supplier, also reported robust fourth-quarter sales.

Trump Blocks Chip Deal, Citing National Security and China Concerns

/in /tarafından

Donald Trump on Friday blocked a $3 million deal in which U.S. photonics firm HieFo Corp sought to acquire assets from New Jersey-based aerospace and defense supplier Emcore, citing national security and China-related risks.

In an order released by the White House, Trump said HieFo was “controlled by a citizen of the People’s Republic of China,” raising concerns that the transaction could threaten U.S. national security. He ordered HieFo to divest all interests in the Emcore assets within 180 days.

The decision followed a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which identified national security risks linked to the deal, according to the U.S. Treasury Department. Officials did not specify the nature of those risks.

Emcore has said HieFo acquired its chip business and indium-phosphide wafer fabrication operations for about $2.92 million. The company was publicly traded at the time of the transaction and has since gone private.

HieFo previously said it was co-founded by Genzao Zhang, a former Emcore vice president of engineering, and Harry Moore, a former senior sales director at Emcore. Neither company immediately responded to requests for comment following Trump’s order.

Taiwan’s Chip Industry a Pillar of Global Stability and National Defence, Tsai Ing-wen Says

/in /tarafından

Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told the Berlin Freedom Conference on Monday that Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor industry not only underpins global prosperity but also strengthens the island’s defence and resilience amid growing external threats.

“Our high-tech sector, particularly in semiconductors, has become an indispensable part of the global economy,” Tsai said. “In an age where AI also defines power, Taiwan’s chip industry anchors global prosperity.”

Tsai emphasized that Taiwan’s role as a global technology hub has become a strategic asset for both economic and national security, reinforcing its position in the global supply chain while deterring potential aggression.

“Now, it is such an initiative that helps Taiwan strengthen its defence and societal resilience in the face of threats,” she added, stressing that Taiwan remains committed to sharing its expertise with international partners.

While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic ties with only the Vatican in Europe, Tsai noted growing engagement with European countries such as Britain, France, Lithuania, and Poland, which have continued to host Taiwanese officials despite Beijing’s objections.

Her remarks come as the island’s semiconductor industry — led by TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker — continues to play a central role in global AI and advanced computing technologies, making Taiwan a critical player in the modern digital economy.