Taiwan TSMC, the world's largest semiconductor foundry, is expected to surpass $100 billion (about 140 trillion won) in revenue this year. Starting in the fourth quarter, as revenue from major big tech companies' 2-nanometer processes is reflected, the company is projected to post results exceeding forecasts.
On the 1st, Taiwan media including China Times reported that TSMC's earnings briefing is scheduled for the 16th. Sources said TSMC's third-quarter results are likely to beat market expectations and explained that mass production of cutting-edge 2 nm (nanometer, one-billionth of a meter) products is planned for the fourth quarter.
In particular, it projected that revenue will increase as supplies to major customers such as Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, AMD, and MediaTek rise. Accordingly, the outlet said TSMC's share price the previous day rose above 1,300 New Taiwan dollars, reaching 1,305 New Taiwan dollars (about 60,000 won).
Taiwan's Ministry of Finance previously said that exports in Aug. hit an all-time high of $58.49 billion (about 82 trillion won), up 34.1% from a year earlier, on strong semiconductor exports driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom.
However, Wu Daren, executive director of the Taiwan Economic Center, said he had some concerns about Taiwan-U.S. tariff negotiations, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, and U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's pressure for half of Taiwan's semiconductor production to be made in the United States.
Section 232 of the U.S. Trade Expansion Act grants the president the authority to restrict imports through appropriate measures such as a tariff if imports of specific items are deemed to threaten U.S. national security.
Amid this, Taiwan media reported that the National Financial Stabilization Fund Management Committee will likely announce a somewhat conservative and cautious stance at its third-quarter regular meeting on the 9th, taking into account tariff negotiations with the United States and remarks by Commerce Secretary Lutnick.