Dan Nystedt

TSMC could see a monthly record high NT$520 billion in September revenue, a catalyst to propel the Taiwan Stock Exchange in early October, media report, citing institutional analysts. TSMC reports September revenue on Oct. 8 (10/8). The current all-time-high is August’s NT$514.81B. $TSM #semiconductors https://t.co/U15NuVZsrq

TSMC has inspected two AUO plants in the Central Taiwan Science Park for possible purchase and transformation into advanced semiconductor packaging facilities, media report, noting both plants are near TSMC facilities. AUO has sold 3 plants so far this year for a total NT$34.7 billion (US$1.1B). The company used to be one of the world’s biggest makers of LCD panels, which it still produces, but it has been transforming its business to higher end products like specialty screens, Micro LED and advanced semiconductor packaging. $TSM https://t.co/6wutDt3cv7

TSMC will have four new 1.4nm fabs in mass production of 120,000 to 140,000 wafers-per-month (wpm) by the 2nd quarter of 2028 in the Central Taiwan Science Park near the city of Taichung, media report, assuming a price-per-wafer of US$35,000 each. Construction has sped up so that the 2nd fab can catch up with the 1st and be in mass production by end-2027. The 1st fab is set for trial production by April next year. Major clients are already reserving capacity, including Apple, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, MediaTek and Broadcom. $TSM $NVDA $AAPL $QCOM $AVGO #mediatek #semiconductors https://t.co/7t6bmNxNxo

Micron Taiwan is set for fresh negotiations with union leaders seeking a long term deal for employees to share 15% of operating profits, media report, with meetings scheduled for Sep. 18 and 21. Union officials said failure to reach a consensus could ultimately lead to a strike. Micron has said its bonus offer is already the biggest in company history. Micron’s rivals, Samsung and SK Hynix, both agreed to massive bonuses for employees as their memory chip profits soared, a key reason the issue hit Taiwan. $MU #semiconductors https://t.co/20VprgDcEm

Japan’s Murata plans to end production of certain MLCC (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor) products for consumer, industrial and automotive products to focus on high-end markets like AI servers and advanced automotive electronics, media report, adding that customers will likely shift orders to other MLCC makers, like Taiwan’s Yageo, Walsin Tech, Holy Stone, Prosperity Dialectrics and others. Murate is the world’s biggest maker of MLCCs, parts used in all electronics to stabilize the flow of electricity. https://t.co/iGP7j4tIzj

The scramble for mature-node chips is locked in through at least 2028, with some analysts warning tight supplies could stretch to 2030, media report. The AI-related demand surge caused the main issue, alongside rising consumer device silicon content. Supply chain management is everything as firms seek to secure capacity, seeking deals based on volume-based pricing. https://t.co/pldUXkNjDC

Three of Taiwan’s top chip packaging and testing companies hit fresh record highs for the 2nd straight month in August revenue amid robust AI-related: Powertech, KYEC, and Sigurd Micro, media report. Powertech: NT$8.56 billion, up 24.5% year-on-year KYEC: NT$4.08B, +31.6% Sigurd: NT$2.07B, +29% https://t.co/t04AexspJU

MPI Corp., the Taiwan maker of probe cards for semiconductor testing, won Samsung Electronics as a new client for cards used with silicon photonics (Photonic IC wafers), media report, noting MPI’s top customer is TSMC. Samsung will also use probe cards from FormFactor, the US firm. Specialized probe cards are used to separate good chips from bad. They test whether optical chips can convert electrical and optical signals properly, according to design. $FORM #MPI https://t.co/aDrq0Ieewb

TSMC’s 3nm production value will outpace 5nm for the first time this quarter, media report, with sell-side estimates putting 3nm output over NT$400 billion, or 30% of revenue, which should further boost gross margins. Strong AI/HPC demand led TSMC to expand 3nm capacity beyond usual practice, including conversion of some 5nm tools for use on 3nm lines. Also: -2nm is also ramping faster than expected. -A16 is expected to be production ready in the 2nd half, and report cites rumors that Apple, Nvidia and a key AI firm, perhaps OpenAI, are expected to be among the initial batch of customers. -TSMC schedule: A14 remains scheduled for mass production in 2028 A13 and A12 will be in mass production in 2029 https://t.co/t4K3z1gs2Z

Foxconn, the world’s biggest AI server maker: “visibility for the third quarter has improved compared to the previous month, with overall performance expected to outperform market expectations.” August revenue rose 52.0% year-on-year to NT$921.8 billion (US$29.1B), the 2nd highest month ever, and down 2.6% from July, led by strong pull-in momentum for AI-related gear from its Cloud and Networking Products segment, while Components and Other Products also saw strong growth. January through August revenue rose 39.7% to NT$6.51 trillion https://t.co/1hdsfjVprD