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Quick Summary TSMC’s January revenue jumped 37% YoY , beating expectations AI-driven demand  is keeping capacity tight and sales strong Potential US tariff exemptions  could further boost demand from Big Tech Stock is already  up 17% year-to-date What’s Driving TSMC Higher Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co  reported  January revenue of NT$401.6 billion (US$12.7bn) : +20% quarter-on-quarter +37% year-on-year The pace of growth is  ahead of TSMC’s own ~30% full-year growth guidance , reinforcing its central role in the global semiconductor supply chain. AI Demand Keeps Capex Elevated TSMC recently announced: Up to US$56 billion in capex for 2026 , +30% vs last year High investment levels expected for the next three years The spending spree reflects  relentless demand for AI chips , particularly from hyperscalers and data-centre operators. Tariff Relief: A Possible Bonus According to the  Financial Times ,  major US tech firms may be exempt ...

  Key Takeaway: Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon made it clear: Intel’s chip-making tech isn’t ready for prime time. Until Intel upgrades its production, Qualcomm will keep relying on Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) and Samsung — reinforcing TSMC’s dominant position in advanced semiconductors. What Happened Speaking to Bloomberg, Amon said: “Intel is not an option today.” Qualcomm would reconsider if Intel improves efficiency and manufacturing processes. For now, Qualcomm continues sourcing from  TSMC and Samsung , which remain industry leaders in cutting-edge chip production. Why It Matters Intel has been trying to re-enter the foundry race with its IDM 2.0 strategy, aiming to win back major customers. But losing out on Qualcomm — one of the biggest mobile chip designers — underscores its uphill battle against TSMC and Samsung. TSMC (TSM.US):  Maintains a lock on advanced nodes (N5/N3, moving to N2). Almost every AI, smartphone, and HPC chip depends on its ecosystem. Samsung: ...

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon stated that the global surge in AI demand will not cause a chip shortage, thanks to increased production capacity since the pandemic. Speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon , Amon explained that the pandemic-era shortages spurred major investments in semiconductor production , balancing today's demand and supply. With governments worldwide backing semiconductor industries, Japan recently committed over $65 billion to support its chip and AI sectors. This aligns with the US, EU, and China's efforts to boost their capabilities. As the largest seller of smartphone processors , Qualcomm anticipates steady demand for AI-enabled smartphones. Amon noted that users increasingly prefer upgraded phones with AI features , expecting this trend to continue as more AI capabilities become available in mobile devices.

Qualcomm projected higher-than-expected fourth-quarter revenue, driven by strong demand for high-end Android devices and AI-enhanced smartphones. However, the chipmaker warned of a revenue hit due to the US revoking an export license for Huawei, impacting shares. Key Points: Revenue Forecast: Qualcomm predicts fourth-quarter revenue with a midpoint of US$9.9 billion, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of US$9.71 billion. AI Enhancements: The integration of AI features in smartphones has boosted demand for Qualcomm's chips, aiding revenue recovery after a prolonged industry slump. Impact of Trade Curbs: The US revocation of an export license for Huawei will affect current quarter and first-quarter 2025 revenues. Qualcomm is negotiating with Huawei but does not expect chip revenue from the company beyond 2024. Stock Movement: Qualcomm shares initially rose over 5% in extended trading but later fell by more than 1% after the trade curbs warning. Arm Holdings also saw a 13% drop...