
TSMC profit surges again after AI drives big jump in sales
The world's biggest contract chipmaker on Thursday said net income for the period was NT$398.3 billion ($13.5 billion), extending a streak of beating analysts' estimates that dates back to 2021. The company previously posted a 39% surge in revenue.
TSMC's performance underscores resilient demand for high-end artificial intelligence chips from the likes of Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., which is outpacing its production capacity.
Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei affirmed in a shareholder meeting in June that AI orders continue to run hot and TSMC anticipates 2025 sales will grow in the mid-20% range in US dollar terms. The company's revenue has grown roughly 40% over the first half of the year, even with a stronger Taiwanese dollar suppressing that figure. It's pledged to spend another $100 billion ramping up manufacturing in Arizona, in addition to an expansion in Japan, Germany and back home.
A day before TSMC's results, key chipmaking gear supplier ASML Holding NV triggered anxiety across markets by walking back its growth forecast for 2026. Geopolitics and the global economy are sources of 'increasing uncertainty,' Chief Executive Officer Christophe Fouquet said. Its shares dropped more than 11%. –BLOOMBERG
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The Sun
12 hours ago
- The Sun
Taiwan: 20% US tariff is temporary, chip rates under review
TAIPEI: Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Friday that the new 20% tariff rate set by the Trump administration on goods imported from the island is 'temporary', and the government expects to negotiate a lower figure. Lai also noted that rates for semiconductors, electronics as well as information and communication technology will be subject to separate U.S. sectoral tariffs and are still to be worked out. A Thursday executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump imposed tariffs ranging from 10% to 41% on U.S. imports from dozens of trading partners. While the 20% rate for Taiwan is less than the 32% threatened in April, it notably exceeds the 15% rates secured by Japan, South Korea and the European Union in trade deals. 'The 20% tariff rate was never Taiwan's target to begin with. We will continue negotiations and strive for a rate that's more favourable for Taiwan,' Lai told a press briefing. A U.S. official said Lai's statement that negotiations were continuing was 'accurate'. 'The interim rate is lower than the original rate, and it's much lower than that of several other major trading partners with ongoing negotiations. We can interpret this as Taiwan's offer being well received and being close to a final agreement,' said the official who declined to be identified, given the sensitivity of the issue. CHIP TARIFFS Rates on semiconductors and other key tech goods are the subject of a U.S. national security probe, which is being conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. Lai said once the probe has concluded, Taiwan's negotiating team will enter into further talks. The U.S. plans to announce the results of the probe in two weeks, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said on Sunday. Neuberger Berman portfolio manager Yusuf Huang said Section 232 levies are likely to be higher than so-called reciprocal tariffs. 'If the tariff rate is set too low, companies would just keep producing in Taiwan and other countries and still face a 15%, 18%, or 20% tariff. That would defeat (Trump's) goal of reshoring manufacturing to the U.S., so it's likely to be set higher,' he said. Taiwan had the sixth-largest trade deficit with the U.S. last year, exporting about $74 billion more than it took in. According to Yuanta Securities, the reciprocal tariff rate would only affect about a quarter of its U.S.-bound exports. 'This tariff rate is only an outpost battle in the intense Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations,' it said in a note to clients on Friday. Sectors such as machinery and plastics would be among those affected by the reciprocal rate, according to a Friday internal report by Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs seen by Reuters. The report also noted that many Taiwanese companies produce tech goods in Southeast Asia and Mexico, and those goods would be subject to the rates for those countries. The severity of chip tariff rates is a focal point for Taiwan, which is home to TSMC, the world's biggest contract chip manufacturer and producer of advanced AI chips, as well as a raft of other semiconductor-related companies. TSMC, which counts Nvidia and Apple as key clients, announced plans for a $100 billion U.S. investment with Trump at the White House in March. That came on top of $65 billion pledged for three plants in the state of Arizona. The U.S., like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China regards as its own territory, but is its strongest international backer and main arms supplier, bound by law to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Lai said on Friday that the trade talks were a means to deepen economic cooperation with the U.S., especially in defence and tech. The TAIEX stock index ended Friday trade down 0.5%. - Reuters


New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
Taiwan says reached 'a certain consensus' with US on tariffs
TAIPEI: Taiwan has reached "a certain consensus" with the United States on tariffs, a Taipei government official said Thursday, but did not provide details on the agreed levy. US President Donald Trump has given Washington's trade partners until August 1 to reach an agreement with the White House or be hit with his threatened levies. Taiwan faces a 32 per cent tax and possible duties on semiconductor chips, which are a key driver of the democratic island's economy. "We reached a certain consensus on issues including tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, trade facilitation, as well as supply chain resilience and economic security," cabinet spokeswoman Michelle Lee said. Lee added that Taipei was "still waiting for the US government's decision-making process to conclude." "Both sides have also conducted negotiations on a joint statement," she said. "We will report to the public once we have an update." Several economies – the European Union, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines – have struck initial tariff deals with Washington, while China managed to temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties. "Our negotiators are literally working around the clock to strive to reach an agreement on reciprocal tariffs," Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim told journalists recently. Hsiao said Taipei wanted a trade deal with Washington that "will benefit both sides." "The United States is indeed a very important trade partner for Taiwan," Hsiao said. Washington also "needs Taiwan in supporting resilient supply chains, in supporting manufacturing and some high-end technologies." Trump in April imposed a 10 percent tariff on almost all US trading partners, while announcing plans to eventually hike this level for dozens of countries. But days before the steeper duties were due to take effect on July 9, he pushed the deadline back to August 1. Lee said Taiwanese officials were "continuing negotiations with the US side in Washington." Taiwan is a global powerhouse in chip manufacturing and Trump has previously accused the island of stealing the US semiconductor industry. Soaring demand for AI-related chips in recent years has fuelled Taiwan's trade surplus with the United States – and put it in the cross-hairs of Trump's global tariff war. Around 60 per cent of Taiwan's exports to the United States are information and communications technology, which includes chips. To avoid Trump's punitive tariffs, Taipei has pledged to increase investment in the United States, buy more of its energy and increase its own defence spending.


The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Frontken expected to report solid 2Q results
HLIB Research said favourable foreign-exchange trends and sustained strong demand from its key Taiwanese clients will drive the company's growth. PETALING JAYA: Frontken Corp Bhd , a provider of support services to the semiconductor industry, is expected to record a strong financial performance in its second quarter of 2025 (2Q25) on strong tailwinds from macro factors, analysts say. Favourable foreign-exchange trends and sustained strong demand from its key Taiwanese clients will drive its growth, said Hong Leong Investment Bank Research (HLIB Research). Frontken stands to benefit from the surge in new semiconductor fabs globally, notably in the United States, Singapore and India, while the weaker ringgit against the Taiwanese dollar works in its favour, the research house said. The Taiwanese dollar appreciated against the ringgit by 4% in 2Q25 from the previous consecutive quarter. But a dilution in the company's share base is expected to cap share prices for the time being. 'While we remain positive on Frontken's growth prospects, a potential sizeable increase in share count of an additional 32% from a warrant conversion that expires in May 2026 remains an overhang that could limit upside in the near term,' the research house said. 'With Frontken's share price now above the RM4 warrant exercise price, the 510 million in-the-money warrants (32% of the current share base) could present a near-term overhang. 'Sustained re-rating beyond the current price range would require strong catalysts such as unexpected strong earnings delivery, clear expansion plans or entry into new markets to absorb incremental supply,' the research house added. HLIB Research also said Frontken is holding some US$30mil in cash that was previously intended for a potential US acquisition, which could result in up to some RM10mil in non-core, unrealised forex losses in 2Q25. The weaker ringgit bodes well for Frontken's key subsidiary, Ares Green Tech Corp, which primarily bills its customers in the Taiwanese dollar, the research house said. 'This contrasts with other listed Malaysian peers in the technology sector that are affected by the stronger ringgit due to their US dollar-based export sales,' it said. HLIB Research said although the planned US acquisition did not materialise, the country's market remains on Frontken's radar, with management currently exploring a potential joint venture or collaboration with a US-based precision cleaning company to support Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd's newly established fabs. 'In the near term, cleaning services are still handled in Taiwan via air freight, which remains cost-effective relative to the high operating costs in the United States. However, this arrangement is unlikely to be sustainable, as it runs counter to US localisation and self-sufficiency objectives.' HLIB Research left its forecasts for Frontken unchanged, maintaining its 'hold' call with an unchanged target price of RM4, based on a target price-earnings ratio of 35 times earnings for next year.