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ASML dismisses claims of Chinese tool stockpiling, says ready for rare earth curbs

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ASML has downplayed concerns that its expected decline in China sales next year is linked to Chinese chipmakers stockpiling its lithography machines, saying the slowdown reflects market dynamics rather than preemptive buying.

“The reason I rule out previous stockpiling is because systems that we ship are actually in a chips factory,” said Chief Financial Officer Roger Dassen during a press briefing on Wednesday. His comments followed ASML’s third-quarter earnings report, which warned of a significant fall in Chinese demand in 2025.

Chinese customers accounted for 42% of ASML’s machine sales in the latest quarter, making China its largest single market. However, U.S. lawmakers have urged tighter export restrictions on ASML, alleging that Chinese firms are purchasing chipmaking tools beyond domestic needs to hedge against future sanctions.

ASML, the world’s top semiconductor equipment maker, said it remains confident in the resilience of its business outside China, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Dassen also addressed concerns about China’s rare earth export restrictions, emphasizing that ASML is well prepared in the short term. “We have inventory, we have alternatives. But of course, there is an impact we are navigating,” he said.

China produces over 90% of the world’s processed rare earths and magnets, which are essential components in ASML’s chipmaking tools. Dassen cautioned that longer-term disruptions could be more serious if global trade tensions deepen. “It’s important the world continues to trade so we don’t face lasting limitations,” he said.

Broadcom unveils Thor Ultra networking chip to challenge Nvidia in AI data centers

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Broadcom has launched its new Thor Ultra networking chip, designed to help companies build massive artificial intelligence computing systems by linking together hundreds of thousands of processors — escalating its rivalry with Nvidia in the race to dominate AI infrastructure.

Unveiled on Tuesday, the Thor Ultra chip enables data center operators to connect far more AI processors than before, making it easier to train and deploy large models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The launch follows Broadcom’s announcement on Monday of a major deal to deliver 10 gigawatts of custom chips for OpenAI starting in 2026, further challenging Nvidia’s dominance in AI accelerators and networking technologies.

“The network plays an extremely important role in building these large clusters,” said Ram Velaga, Broadcom’s senior vice president. “So I’m not surprised that anybody in the GPU business wants to participate in networking.”

AI has become a $60 billion to $90 billion market opportunity for Broadcom by 2027, according to CEO Hock Tan, split between networking chips and custom data center processors built for companies such as Google and OpenAI. In 2024, Broadcom reported $12.2 billion in AI revenue, and in September it disclosed a $10 billion unnamed customer for its AI chips.

The Thor Ultra doubles the bandwidth of its predecessor and acts as a vital link between AI systems and the rest of the data center, improving data transfer speeds and scalability. Engineers developed it alongside Broadcom’s Tomahawk networking switches, refining every detail from power consumption to thermal management.

While Broadcom does not sell servers directly, it provides reference designs for partners to build upon. “For every dollar we invest in our silicon, our ecosystem partners invest six to ten times more,” Velaga said, emphasizing the company’s design-first strategy in the AI infrastructure market.

Japan’s Renesas weighs $2 billion sale of timing unit amid semiconductor reshuffle

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Renesas Electronics Corp., one of Japan’s largest semiconductor makers, is considering a sale of its timing division in a deal that could value the business at nearly $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

The company has hired JPMorgan to advise on the potential divestment, which remains in its early stages. Sources said the process is expected to attract bids from major chipmakers, including Texas Instruments in the United States and Germany’s Infineon Technologies. None of the companies involved have commented publicly on the talks.

Renesas’ timing division produces specialized integrated circuits (ICs) that handle clock, timing, and synchronization functions — essential components for data centers, telecommunications systems, and 5G network infrastructure. These chips act as the “metronome” for electronic systems, ensuring precise coordination of data flow in high-speed environments.

The move comes as global demand for chips powering AI-driven data centers and networking infrastructure continues to soar. Selling the unit could allow Renesas to raise capital and sharpen its focus on core markets, particularly automotive and industrial semiconductors — areas where it is a major global supplier.

Renesas has expanded aggressively in recent years through acquisitions to build a broader portfolio of analog and power management chips. The possible divestment reflects a wider industry trend of portfolio consolidation, as chipmakers seek to streamline operations and concentrate on growth areas.