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Nov 4
Solidigm IPO cancellation puts SK Hynix's Kioxia stake in focus
SK Hynix's decision to halt evaluation of a Solidigm pre-IPO and IPO has renewed questions over how it will finance a planned NAND flash plant in the US. Selling remaining assets linked to its investment in Kioxia has emerged as a potential funding option, but Kioxia's share-price decline and the investment's strategic and shareholder value have complicated the timing and necessity of any sale.
Eiso Enterprise boosts profit as AI server BBU shipments ramp
Nov 6, 07:30
PCB maker Eiso Enterprise posted strong growth in the third quarter of 2026 as AI server backup battery unit (BBU) products began shipping, driving demand for high-end printed circuit boards (PCBs) and lifting the company’s quarterly gross margin to 27.37%.
AMD has signed an agreement with South Korean companies FuriosaAI and MangoBoost to build a heterogeneous AI computing cluster in Seoul by spring 2027, while separately discussing potential cooperation with DEEPX on low-power AI chips for robotics and industrial applications.
A patent lawsuit between Japanese electronic components maker Murata and Chinese radio-frequency (RF) front-end chip vendor Maxscend has ensnared some Samsung Electronics Galaxy smartphones and tablets equipped with the disputed filters. The products fall under the scope of a first-instance injunction issued by a German court, although Samsung said the affected models have already been discontinued, while Maxscend plans to appeal.
Addressing Taiwan's declining birth rate and the semiconductor sector's expanding demand for elite expertise, Macronix International Chairman Miin Wu has announced plans to donate at least US$2 million alongside his wife to establish a top talent development fund at his alma mater, National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). The initiative aims to partner with Stanford University to select one top NCKU student annually for advanced studies in the US, connecting Taiwan's next generation of technology leaders with cutting-edge global insights.
Marvell announced on November 2 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Lumentum Holdings in an all-stock transaction valued at nearly US$115 billion. Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2028.
Humanoid robots require at least US$2,000 worth of semiconductors per unit—twice the content of an EV—and could drive the next semiconductor supercycle, Texas Instruments (TI) said. The company is expanding capacity for the next wave of demand rather than the current boom, according to William Feng, TI's Taiwan and South Asia sales and applications general manager.
The Democrats' sweeping victory in the November 2026 US midterm elections, securing control of both chambers of Congress, has prompted South Korean industries to reassess the implications for investment, trade, and technology policy. With South Korea and Taiwan both heavily dependent on semiconductors, AI, and electronics, Washington's policy direction carries significant consequences for their technology sectors.
Micron has paused construction of a new cleanroom at its Fab 11E site in Taoyuan, Taiwan, since mid-October 2026, according to semiconductor supply chain sources. The company recently introduced a new quarterly bonus program tied to profits, but it still hasn't settled its dispute with the local union in Taoyuan, and no restart date has been set.
Memory prices have surged for several consecutive quarters, leaving consumer applications grappling with cooling buying interest and weak demand. Kioxia has taken a more conservative view of the next quarter, while suppliers say demand remains but NAND prices can no longer rise, marking a turning point after roughly 18 months of gains driven by AI demand.
Beijing has instructed top securities firms and investment banks to pause initial public offerings and restrict large-scale share sales by major shareholders. Reporting by The Wall Street Journal reveals that the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued "window guidance" to slow equity supply and stem a prolonged market sell-off.
Chipmakers are moving to secure production equipment for delivery as far ahead as 2029, as AI-driven fab expansion pushes some equipment lead times beyond two years and forces manufacturers to negotiate supply contracts years earlier than usual, South Korea's ETNews reported, citing industry sources.