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Wednesday 28 January 2026

ASML executives bet on chip demand strength past 2025

ASML Holding's management says demand tied to artificial intelligence is proving more durable than previously expected, with customers accelerating capacity planning that is likely to support orders for the Dutch company's most advanced lithography systems into and beyond 2026.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

ASML orders beat expectations as company plans 1,700 layoffs

ASML reported stronger-than-expected bookings in the fourth quarter of 2025 as customers stepped up investment in artificial intelligence chipmaking capacity, according to Reuters. The Dutch semiconductor equipment maker said fourth-quarter bookings reached EUR13.2 billion (US$15.8 billion), more than double the EUR5.4 billion recorded in the previous quarter and well above analyst expectations of EUR6.32 billion, based on data from Visible Alpha.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

ASML posts record 2025 results on surging orders

ASML Holding NV (ASML) reported record financial results for 2025, supported by a significant rebound in fourth-quarter bookings as semiconductor manufacturers increased investments in artificial intelligence chipmaking. The Dutch lithography equipment maker posted total net sales of EUR32.7 billion (US$39.2 billion) for the year, with net income reaching EUR9.6 billion.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Powertech will invest NT$43.3 billion to accelerate FOPLP, targets mass production in 1H27

In response to growing demand from AI and high-performance computing (HPC) for advanced packaging capacity such as fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP), Powertech chairman DK Tsai has outlined breakthroughs in FOPLP technology and expansion plans. After solving warpage in manufacturing, Powertech is targeting yield rates of 95-98%.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Powertech posts 4Q25 profit high, eyes growth momentum into 2026

Memory testing and packaging firm Powertech Technology (PTI) reported that its revenue and earnings met expectations in the fourth quarter of 2025. Quarterly revenue reached NT$21.41 billion (approx. US$681.38 million), up 25.2% year-over-year. Net income attributable to the owners of the parent totaled NT$1.86 billion, increasing 21.2% quarterly and 22.3% year-over-year, while earnings per share stood at NT$2.52.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Musk plans to cut AI chip design cycle to 9 months

Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X that the AI5 chip design is "almost done and AI6 is in early stages," with AI7, AI8, and AI9 "aiming for a 9-month design cycle." Musk stated that the AI5 chip achieves performance comparable to Nvidia's Hopper with a single SoC configuration, and with a dual-SoC configuration, it rivals Nvidia's Blackwell, while maintaining lower cost and pricing. He said that the AI5's development faced challenges, with Musk himself working consecutive weekends for months with minimal days off.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Exclusive: Nvidia to reportedly shift 2028 chip production to Intel, reshaping TSMC strategy

TSMC's dominance in advanced process and packaging has made it a prime target amid US manufacturing mandates. Chip customers now face mounting pressure to diversify supply chains due to cost and capacity constraints, accelerating the shift toward multi-sourcing strategies.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Mouser Electronics expands manufacturer lineup with 63 new partners in 2025

Mouser Electronics, a global authorized distributor of electronic components and industrial automation products, added 63 new manufacturers to its line card in 2025, further increasing the range of components available to design engineers and purchasing professionals. The distributor also introduced more than 40,000 new part numbers over the year.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Why the Nexperia crisis is still accelerating 'non-red' automotive supply chains

By the end of 2025, a political dispute between the Netherlands and China had rippled through the global automotive industry. Nexperia, the Dutch semiconductor manufacturer owned by China's Wingtech Technology, was forced to temporarily halt shipments, triggering fears of supply-chain disruptions across the automotive sector.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

TI outlook points to tentative recovery as cash flow strength offsets profit pressure

Texas Instruments' (TI) latest results and guidance suggest a cautious rebound in demand, particularly in industrial and automotive markets, even as profits remain under pressure. Analysts say resilient cash flow and constructive capital allocation help steady investor sentiment amid an uneven recovery.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Lightmatter leverages Taiwan ecosystem to bridge the gap between photonics prototypes and production

Lightmatter is hosting its Tech Day in Taiwan on January 28, 2026, following the announcement of strategic partnerships with Global Unichip Corp. (GUC), Cadence Design Systems, and Synopsys. The company is positioning itself to advance AI infrastructure and accelerate the commercialization of co‑packaged optics (CPO) solutions.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Analysis: Why Tesla is splitting AI5 chip production between TSMC and Samsung

In mid-December 2025, TSMC chairman C.C. Wei disclosed details of a conversation with Elon Musk regarding future development priorities. The discussion centered not on automotive production, but on AI-driven robotics. Musk identified chip scarcity as his primary constraint, to which Wei responded that capacity remains available for customers willing to commit the necessary capital.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

King Yuan Electronics recovers most stolen semiconductor test equipment, strengthens controls

King Yuan Electronics (KYEC), a leading semiconductor testing company, has recovered over 80% of stolen IC test load boards and other equipment after an internal engineer allegedly stole and resold more than 50 units, causing losses estimated at NT$120 million (approx. US$3.81 million). The company confirmed no data breaches occurred and outlined steps to enhance security.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

As China races to localize auto chips, Taiwan locks onto upmarket

In recent years, Chinese companies have significantly increased their investment in automotive semiconductors, aiming to accelerate the development of a domestic supply chain. Yet in key technologies—particularly power semiconductors used in electric vehicle (EV) drivetrains—expertise remains firmly in the hands of European and American integrated device manufacturers (IDMs). These technologies are unlikely to be displaced in the near term.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

TI sees uneven recovery: Industrial rebuilds and data center booms, but consumer electronics fade

Texas Instruments' latest commentary during its Q4 2025 earnings call on January 27, 2026, shows a company increasingly shaped by industrial, automotive, and data center demand, even as consumer-facing segments remain uneven. Management framed fourth-quarter results as broadly in line with expectations, while emphasizing that the mix of end markets—not pricing—is driving both near-term performance and longer-term strategy.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

TI accelerates capacity push, shrugs off memory shortages

Texas Instruments (TI) signaled urgency around capacity planning, stressing that today's capital spending choices will determine its ability to serve demand years ahead, while downplaying fears that rising memory prices are constraining near-term demand across its core markets.

Wednesday 28 January 2026

Micron's US$100 billion New York megafab attracts local oversight

As the Trump administration intensifies its push for US-based semiconductor manufacturing, Micron recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its planned megafab in the town of Clay, north of Syracuse, New York, braving freezing temperatures to mark the start of the project.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

Taiwan defends TSMC's US expansion as brain drain fears mount

TSMC is now worth US$1.7 trillion. The chip giant has surpassed Broadcom and Meta to become the world's sixth-largest company. But the milestone has triggered fresh concerns in Taiwan.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

TSMC and Nvidia ignite AI growth, Taiwan supply chain accelerates expansion

With strong demand for AI servers, TSMC—holding the vast majority of AI chip orders—is executing major expansions in advanced process technology and packaging capacity. As TSMC and Nvidia light the way for AI development, related semiconductor and electronics suppliers across Taiwan are investing heavily to boost production capabilities in response to surging orders.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

US shows endorsement of Taiwan industry by granting MFN status on Section 232 tariffs, Taiwan officials say

Taiwan's finance minister and central bank governor have welcomed the US promise to extend most-favored-nation treatment under Section 232 tariffs, calling it a strong endorsement of Taiwan's industries in the trade negotiations between the two countries.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

Taiwan's machine tool industry faces pressure; China, Japan, and South Korea still struggle, even with price edge

The removal of US tariffs on Taiwan's machine tools has leveled the playing field with major competitors Japan and South Korea, offering some relief to the industry. However, while this short-term resolution eases concerns, long-term challenges such as exchange rate fluctuations remain unresolved. Even as market doubts fade and demand shows signs of recovery, Taiwanese manufacturers cannot afford complacency.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

Column: From black-and-white TVs to AI chips, Taiwan's export leadership continues

Taiwan's information and communications technology (ICT) sector—dominated by the semiconductor industry and Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS)—accounted for 65.2% of Taiwan's exports in 2024. This share is projected to rise to roughly 74% in 2025, reflecting the island's unique position in global industrial competition and underscoring profound implications for the country's future industrial trajectory.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

GlobalFoundries' MIPS takes aim at Arm's hold on automotive AI

Following GlobalFoundries' acquisition of Synopsys' ARC Processor IP business, MIPS CEO Sameer Wasson is not just integrating a portfolio; he is orchestrating a pivot.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

IonQ to acquire SkyWater, accelerating fault-tolerant quantum computing roadmap

IonQ and SkyWater Technology, the largest exclusively US-based pure-play semiconductor foundry, announced a definitive agreement for IonQ to acquire SkyWater in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately US$1.8 billion. Under the terms, SkyWater shareholders will receive US$15 per share in cash and US$20 per share in IonQ stock, subject to a collar, representing a 38% premium to SkyWater's recent trading price.

Tuesday 27 January 2026

Apple, Qualcomm rethink heavy reliance on TSMC as costs rise

Even as TSMC retains a clear technological lead in advanced process nodes, Apple and Qualcomm are reassessing how heavily they rely on a single foundry. Qualcomm has confirmed plans to return to a dual-track strategy for its processor system-on-chip products, placing orders with both TSMC and Samsung Electronics.

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