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South Korea’s export engine is accelerating again — powered by the global AI boom — even as uncertainty lingers over US tariff policy. Early February Trade Snapshot According to preliminary customs data (first 20 days of February): Exports (working-day adjusted): +47.3% YoY January full-month: +34% (revised) Unadjusted exports:  +23.5% Imports:  +11.7% Trade surplus:  US$4.95 billion Notably, the surge came  despite fewer working days  due to the Lunar New Year holiday — suggesting underlying momentum remains strong. Semiconductors: The AI Effect The standout driver: Semiconductor exports: +134% YoY Computer peripherals: +129% Petrochemicals: +11% The strength reflects sustained global demand for AI servers, data centres, and high-performance chips. The AI investment cycle is now cushioning broader trade volatility. Autos Drag as Tariffs Bite Weak spots: Auto exports: -27% Auto parts: -21% Sector-specific US duties on autos and steel remain in place under separa...

Quick Summary TSMC’s January revenue surged past NT$400 billion , beating expectations US payrolls data delayed  to Feb 11 due to government shutdown Microsoft now trades cheaper than IBM on forward P/E  for the first time in 10 years AI capex remains the market’s key pressure point Before the Bell: Futures Check US stock futures were steady after the Dow hit another record high: Nasdaq 100 futures:  +0.03% S&P 500 futures:  +0.09% Dow futures:  +0.05% TSMC Leads the AI Supply Chain Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co  reported  January revenue of NT$401.26 billion , up: +36.8% year-on-year +19.8% month-on-month Key takeaway:  AI-driven demand continues to flow straight into foundry earnings, reinforcing TSMC’s position at the core of the global AI buildout. Jobs Data Delay Adds Uncertainty The  January Nonfarm Payrolls report  has been pushed to  Feb 11  due to the partial US government shutdown. Report will include...

The  Trump administration is nearing a trade deal with Taiwan  that could  lower US tariffs  on Taiwanese goods and unlock a  massive new wave of chip investment  by  Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co  (TSMC) in the United States, according to Bloomberg. What’s on the Table Tariffs on Taiwanese imports  could be  cut to 15% from 20% , putting Taiwan on par with  Japan and South Korea , which secured similar deals last year. In return,  TSMC would commit to building at least four additional chip fabs in Arizona , on top of: Six fabs  already announced Two advanced packaging facilities If finalised, the agreement could be announced  as early as this month . Why This Is a Big Deal US Chip Investment Could Exceed US$100 Billion TSMC has already pledged  up to US$165 billion  for US manufacturing. With  each fab costing over US$20 billion , the four new plants could push  total incremental investmen...

US President Donald Trump vowed to impose new  tariffs and export restrictions on advanced technology and semiconductors  in retaliation against foreign digital services taxes that he says unfairly target American tech giants. In a social media post on Monday, Trump called the measures “discriminatory” and said they “outrageously give a complete pass to China’s largest tech companies.” He warned that unless such taxes are withdrawn, Washington would hit offending nations with  “substantial additional tariffs” on exports to the US , alongside curbs on  “highly protected technology and chips.” Rising Trade Frictions The move adds fresh uncertainty for global trade partners, coming just weeks after Trump rolled out country-based levies on imports and vowed further duties, including on furniture. The president has long argued that digital taxes penalize US firms such as  Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms , while sparing Chinese rivals. The US has already deployed...

Malaysia’s economy expanded  4.4% YoY  in 2Q 2025, matching 1Q’s pace, as  robust domestic demand  offset a slowdown in exports, according to the Department of Statistics. The figure was just shy of the  4.5% advance estimate . On a seasonally-adjusted basis, GDP growth accelerated to  2.1% QoQ  from  0.7%  in 1Q. BNM’s View Bank Negara Malaysia Governor  Datuk Seri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour  said the economy faces tariff-related uncertainty “from a position of strength,” with the official  2025 growth forecast of 4.0%-4.8%  deemed broad enough to capture current risks. Tariff Impact:  The US recently imposed a  19% import tariff  on Malaysian goods as part of wider trade actions, alongside a  blanket 10% tariff  since April. A threatened  100% tariff on imported semiconductors  — which account for ~one-third of Malaysia’s US exports — remains a key risk. The additional 9% tariff is within B...

China-Taiwan Tensions Escalate Over Semiconductor Industry China claims Taiwan is giving away its semiconductor industry to the U.S.  in exchange for political support. Reports suggest Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is in talks for a stake in Intel,  though neither company has confirmed this. Taiwan’s government denies knowledge of any overseas investment application from TSMC. U.S. and Taiwan's Semiconductor Dispute President Donald Trump has criticized Taiwan  for taking U.S. semiconductor business and has pushed for  more domestic chip production. China's Taiwan Affairs Office accused Taiwan's ruling party (DPP) of 'selling out' TSMC  to gain favor with the U.S. Beijing claims Taiwan is using its chip industry as leverage for political independence. Taiwan Responds to China's Allegations Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council reaffirmed TSMC’s importance  and vowed to  collaborate with the industry to maintain leadership in advanced techno...

Intel Corp. (INTC)  shares jumped  7% on Thursday  amid reports of a  potential U.S. chipmaking partnership with TSMC , fueling  heavy options trading activity . 🔹 Intel-TSMC Partnership Highlights 🔹  Baird analysts  revealed that  TSMC may send engineers to Intel’s foundry business , with talks of forming a  jointly owned entity  to benefit from  U.S. Chips Act funding . 🔹  Intel’s foundry business lost $13.4 billion in 2024 , lagging behind TSMC, making this partnership critical for Intel’s turnaround. 📌  Options Activity: Most traded call:  $25 strike price expiring Feb 14  with  68,457 contracts  traded and an  open interest of 6,099 . 📊 Unusual Options Activity 🔹  DoorDash (DASH.US):  $190 calls had an  open interest ratio of 241.3x , with  40,539 contracts traded , signaling strong bullish sentiment. 📌 Why It Matters: ✔️  Intel’s stock jump  reflects optim...

Nvidia Corp, once seen as an unstoppable force in AI, is showing signs of vulnerability as investor fears over DeepSeek’s competition linger . The  stock plunged 17% in a single day , wiping out  $590 billion in market value , and remains  12% below its January high  despite a  $300 billion AI spending commitment from Big Tech . 🚨 DeepSeek Disrupts Nvidia’s AI Dominance 🔹  Chinese AI startup DeepSeek claims to achieve high performance with fewer Nvidia chips , raising concerns over AI hardware demand. 🔹  Investors are now hesitant to “buy the dip” —a sharp contrast to previous Nvidia sell-offs. 🔹  The stock only saw buying interest after falling 21% , a rare occurrence in Nvidia’s meteoric rise. 💬  Gene Munster (Deepwater Asset Management):   "DeepSeek was a wake-up call. Nvidia went from an impenetrable story to one that can shift dramatically." 📌  Why It Matters:  Investors fear  AI demand may not be as insatiable ...

India and Singapore have signed agreements to enhance collaboration in semiconductors and digital technologies, positioning themselves as significant players in a reshaped global chip supply chain amid US-China tensions. Key Highlights: Strengthening Chip Ties : During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Singapore, the two countries agreed to cooperate on semiconductor talent development, chip design, and manufacturing, and to encourage Singaporean tech investment in India. They will also enhance collaboration in cybersecurity, 5G networks, supercomputing, and artificial intelligence (AI). Strategic Positioning in Global Chip Supply Chain : As geopolitical tensions between the US and China disrupt the global chip market, India and Singapore are positioning themselves as beneficiaries. Both nations are looking to leverage the creation of stand-alone supply chains by China and Western countries, which could lead to new business opportunities in a market projected t...