The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, along with continued tensions between the US and Iran, has kept international energy prices elevated, while shipping volumes through the two major straits have fallen sharply. Against that backdrop, CPC Corporation, Taiwan (CPC), and Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) are shouldering the burden of "containing inflation" by stabilizing domestic prices and easing the burden on consumers, while also absorbing high fuel costs and dealing with increasing financial pressure.

Bright LED Electronics said its core profit rebounded in the first half of 2026, helped by recovering printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) demand and a better product mix. The LED packaging maker expects second-half performance to be roughly in line with the first half, while seeing growth momentum extend into 2027.

Semiconductor epitaxy maker Episil Precision said on September 22 that rising demand from AI data centers has created two main growth engines. Demand for silicon photonics optical communication modules is driving a surge in germanium silicon (GeSi) epitaxy demand, with the sector projected to grow 3.5- to 4-fold in 2027 and demand visibility extending to 2028.

European Union industry ministers are set to debate the proposed Chips Act 2.0 in Brussels on September 24, days after a senior ASML executive said the company is currently selling no chipmaking systems in Europe, highlighting the gap between the bloc's semiconductor ambitions and where industry investment is flowing. The policy debate is scheduled for about 11:30 a.m. Brussels time at the EU Competitiveness Council.

South Korea's major semiconductor, display, and electronics parts factories are staying open through the Chuseok holiday as AI-driven memory demand and new Apple iPhone panel production keep lines running. Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are continuing output at key plants, while display and MLCC makers are also maintaining round-the-clock operations.