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Lam Research Forecasts Higher Revenue Amid Strong AI Chipmaking Demand

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Lam Research has projected second-quarter revenue above Wall Street expectations, driven by surging demand for semiconductor manufacturing tools used in artificial intelligence applications. The Fremont, California-based firm said it expects revenue of around $5.20 billion, plus or minus $300 million, for the quarter ending December 28 — ahead of analysts’ forecasts of $4.81 billion, according to LSEG data.

The company’s shares rose 2.2% in after-hours trading and have already doubled this year, fueled by global investment in AI-driven chip production. Lam, a leading supplier of wafer fabrication equipment (WFE), provides critical tools used in the complex processes of chip wiring and wafer etching.

Lam faces competition from industry heavyweights such as Applied Materials, Analog Devices, and ASML, but remains well-positioned as chip designers expand capacity to meet escalating computing demands. The firm reported $5.32 billion in revenue for the previous quarter, surpassing expectations, and adjusted earnings of $1.26 per share versus $1.22 projected. The AI semiconductor boom continues to lift equipment makers across the global chip supply chain.

Intel unveils Panther Lake, first chip built on next-gen 18A process

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Intel has revealed new details of Panther Lake, its upcoming laptop processor and the first to be manufactured using the company’s next-generation 18A technology. The chip, aimed at AI-enabled premium PCs, marks a critical milestone in Intel’s bid to reclaim leadership in semiconductor manufacturing from AMD and TSMC.

According to Intel, Panther Lake’s integrated graphics and CPU deliver 50% faster performance than the current Lunar Lake line, which was largely produced by Taiwan’s TSMC. The new 18A process introduces a redesigned transistor structure and a more efficient power delivery system, allowing higher performance at lower energy costs.

The chip uses a system-on-chip architecture, combining CPU and GPU components into a single circuit to boost efficiency. Production ramps up this year, with first shipments expected by late 2025 and broad availability from January 2026.

Industry experts see Panther Lake as a major credibility test for Intel’s comeback strategy. “It’s a confirmation of Intel’s continued advancements in chip manufacturing,” said Bob O’Donnell, chief analyst at Technalysis Research.

New CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took over amid leadership turmoil, has scaled back expansion plans while focusing on core innovation. Intel’s Arizona Fab 52 facility is now fully operational and will also produce the company’s Clearwater Forest server chips, slated for release in 2026.

As Intel seeks to reassert itself in both the PC and AI data center markets, Panther Lake’s success will be a key signal to investors that its long-promised manufacturing turnaround is finally taking shape.

ASML appoints veteran Marco Pieters as new chief technology officer

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ASML, the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductor lithography machines, has named Marco Pieters as its new chief technology officer (CTO), the company announced Thursday. Pieters, a 25-year ASML veteran, will also join the firm’s management board, pending approval at the April 2026 annual meeting.

Trained as a mathematician, Pieters has led several of ASML’s major product lines, including its Holistic Lithography program, which integrates hardware and software to improve chipmaking precision. CEO Christophe Fouquet praised Pieters’ long-standing contributions, saying he has “full support in driving forward our technology roadmap.”

Pieters succeeds Martin van der Brink, who retired in 2024 after a four-decade career that saw ASML rise from a small Dutch equipment supplier to a global leader in chip manufacturing technology. Van der Brink’s strategic bets on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography helped ASML overtake rivals Nikon and Canon to dominate the sector.

ASML’s advanced lithography machines — some priced at $400 million — are essential to producing cutting-edge chips used in AI processors, smartphones, and data centers. Pieters’ appointment reinforces ASML’s focus on innovation amid rising global demand for semiconductor technology.

The company also plans to reappoint CFO Roger Dassen at the same meeting.