Chips and Wafers’ Lover
South Korea’s semiconductor exports in October leaped 259.4% year-on-year to US$56.44 billion, amid continued strong pricing and rising volumes, media report, while computer sales spiked 496.6% on higher AI server demand. Overall exports rose 93.7% to $115.28 billion, the strongest growth in over 50-years.
Source: Dan Nystedt
Silicon wafers will see their first broad-based price increase in over 3-years in January as demand for advanced process chip production shatters expectations, media report. Delivery of silicon wafers, the key ingredient in semiconductor manufacturing, has sped up, with orders originally set for Spring 2027 already fulfilled as customers pull forward delivery schedules by a quarter. (To be clear, fulfillment includes all 2026 and 1st quarter 2027). $SK Hynix(SKHY.US) $Micron Tech(MU.US) $SSNLF $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) $Intel(INTC.US) #Kioxia #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
Rumor: Elon Musk plans to renegotiate with TSMC on the TeraFab, as he adopts a more practical approach from his earlier insistence that TeraFab be completely self-built and operated, media report. Fresh talks will include operational control, joint investment, technology, and key bottlenecks like advanced packaging and PCB & substrate integration. $SpaceX(SPCX.US) $Tesla(TSLA.US) $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) #terafab #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong made his first visit to the company's advanced semiconductor packaging R&D lab in Yokohama, Japan on Sunday (11/1), media report, adding the lab, which opened in September, is aimed at boosting Samsung’s AI chip packaging prowess by working more closely with Japanese suppliers of materials, parts and equipment. Samsung plans to continue hiring local researchers for the lab. #Samsung #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
Japan’s biggest power company, TEPCO, has developed an AI system to help it restart nuclear power plants more quickly, media report. Japan closed all 54-commercial reactors in the nation after the March, 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami. Since then, around 15 have been restarted. The government wants more to be brought back online as safely and quickly as possible to power AI data centers. Massive volumes of paperwork are slowing the process down, and TEPCO hopes AI can ease the burden. Trials of the new system will begin today and TEPCO hopes it will be in full use in fiscal 2027. $Amazon(AMZN.US) $Alphabet(GOOGL.US) $Meta Platforms(META.US) $Microsoft(MSFT.US) $Oracle(ORCL.US) #datacenters
Source: Dan Nystedt
TSMC will begin retrofitting the plants it bought from AUO for advanced packaging as early as the 2nd quarter next year as it speeds construction work to meet massive AI-related packaging demand, media report, citing construction firms. TSMC bought 2 plants from AUO last week for NT$38.8 billion (US$1.25 billion) bring total such purchases to NT$55.94B (including NT$17.14B plant from Innolux) this year.
The plants are also seen as part of TSMC’s strategy for next generation CoPoS advanced packaging because of the use of display-panel related equipment and expertise (both AUO and Innolux make display panels). The report notes AUO is setting up a 510x515mm glass substrate pilot line focused on TGV and RDL technologies with Corning in a bid to join TSMC’s supply chain. It also says Nvidia is testing glass-core substrates, with Innolux drilling the glass vias. CoPoS: Chip on Panel on SubstrateTGV: Through-Glass Via RDL: Redistribution Layer $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) $NVIDIA(NVDA.US) $Broadcom(AVGO.US) #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
The US is looking “very closely” at the China spy plot targeting Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reported by the New York Times, President Trump said on Saturday, media report. The NYT’s Megaspeed report said an executive at the Singapore data center firm passed information to Beijing while dealing with Nvidia's CEO. Trump also called Huang a "brilliant person" he has “a lot of respect for” and “we want to protect our brilliant people.” China called the report speculation. $NVIDIA(NVDA.US) #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
KYEC is moving fast. It's US subsidiary just ordered 200 sets of Hon Precision handlers: $150.8M total, ~$754K/unit.
Board approved Oct 28, ~2 weeks after the Nvidia prepayment deal. Same day: $79M Texas site + ~$534M total equipment/facility POs. Target: HVM April 2027.Source: Chips & Wafers
Top-5 semicap DRAM equipment revenue up 80% y/y in 3QCY26. Another ATH and ASML gaining share. $35B+ annual run-rate for top-5 semicap DRAM equipment revenue in 3Q26. Showing no signs of slow down. KLA, for example, expects 60% of its process control revenue to come from memory (mostly DRAM), up from 30%+ in 2026.
Source: Sravan Kundojjala
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with Foxconn Chair Young Liu in Taiwan on Friday (10/30) to further discuss their partnership, Foxconn’s chairman said, media report, adding specific joint projects will be announced once finalized.
Liu said there is no AI bubble as demand continues to be massive. He reiterated Foxconn’s 2027 revenue growth forecast at a double digit % for 2027. The world’s biggest contract electronics manufacturer now operates over 270 factories worldwide, and AI server rack capacity as hit 2,000 units per week, from 1,000 at the same time last year. Foxconn also cut the assembly time of AI server compute trays from over two hours down to just 20 minutes. $NVIDIA(NVDA.US) $Amazon(AMZN.US) $Alphabet(GOOGL.US) $Microsoft(MSFT.US) $Meta Platforms(META.US) $Oracle(ORCL.US) #servers #openaiSource: Dan Nystedt
Micron Taiwan paid out annual bonuses on Friday (10/30) equal to about 7.5x to 12.5x months of base salary, alongside a Maxout Mass-Production Bonus (20% of annual salary) and a one-time NT$1 million (US$30,655) appreciation bonus for those eligible. Starting in FY2027, a new quarterly profit-sharing scheme will run parallel to existing bonuses.
The combined package brings total annual compensation to 60+ months of pay for roughly 700 of its 4,300 production line workers – though local unions have been pushing for 83-months and a permanent 15% operating profit-sharing model like Samsung and SK Hynix. $Micron Tech(MU.US) $SK Hynix(SKHY.US) $SSNLF #Samsung #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
Intel 4Q26
- Revenue up 2.5% q/q and 21% y/y to $16.5B at 44.1% GM; QDec guided to $15.5Bat 38% GM.- 2026 gross capex is about $20B; 2027 to be up strongly; Equipment POs up 40% q/q- most of the spending on equipment (other than Ohio construction)- Foundry revenue up 16% q/q to $6.7B. External revenue up 40% q/q to $411M (one-off program benefit)Source: Sravan Kundojjala
TSMC’s plan for 24-hour R&D failed in 6-months during 40nm process development, said Co-COO Y.P. Chyn, media report. The ‘Night Owl’ program was designed to overtake global rivals by running R&D 24/7 against their 8-hour days. Instead, TSMC found success through its ‘One Team’ approach, which broke down barriers between teams by combining R&D and manufacturing personnel to tackle tough jobs jointly. R&D relies on brain power, creativity, problem solving, said Chyn, not adding more work hours. $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
ASE, the chip packaging & testing giant 3rd quarter highlights, media report:
-Raised capex to US$11.5 billion from $10.5 billion; 2027 to be even higher-Forecast 4th quarter revenue +6%-8% from the 3rd -Raised 2026 advanced packaging revenue forecast to US$4 billion from $3.7B revenue, sees figure doubling in 2027.-CPO revenue to top US$500 million in 2027$Advanced Semiconductor Engineering(ASX.US) #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
The Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association backed a government review of restarting nuclear power plants in Taiwan, so long as strict safety requirements are maintained, media report.
“A stable and sufficient electricity supply is crucial to the semiconductor industry,” said TSIA Chair Cliff Hou, who is also a senior VP at TSMC.Taiwan’s president has said no form of energy should be ruled out based on ideology – including nuclear – important because his party has a deep, longstanding anti-nuclear stance. $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) #TSIA #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
TSMC paid NT$38.8 billion (US$1.2 billion) for two plants from AUO, media report, citing AUO Chair Paul Peng on the company’s 3rd quarter call. AUO’s board has already approved the sale of the two display panel plants, one 5th generation and one Gen-7.5. The sale includes some equipment. TSMC is expected to gain 5.9 million sq. feet of usable floor space that it will convert for CoWoS advanced packaging. $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) #AUO #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
Samsung 3Q26
- Semiconductor revenue up 22% q/q and 335% y/y to $103.8B; 72% OPM- Memory up 23% q/q to $99.3B; Implied S.LSI + Foundry $4.5B- 10 LTA customers; Targets 60%-70% of memory capacity for LTAs- semi capex $53.1B in 2026; Memory capex driven by new fabs; Foundry capex for TaylorSource: Sravan Kundojjala
Samsung Electronics raised its 2026 semiconductor capex plan to ₩76.8 trillion won (US$53 billion), from ₩47.5 trillion last year ($33.4 billion) amid strong AI-related demand expected to continue for years, executives said during its 3rd quarter conference. ₩52.8T has already been spent thru Q3.
-2027 capex to rise further versus 2026-New fabs and advanced packaging plants are being planned for the US and Korea to meet strong AI demandTaylor, Texas site capex set to rise – new fab building under review-Taylor fab to start operations in 2027-Equipment move-in going on now $ASML(ASML.US) $Applied Materials(AMAT.US) $Lam Research(LRCX.US) $KLA(KLAC.US) $Tokyo Electron(TOELY.US) #Texas #Taylor #SemiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
The CEO of UMC, Taiwan’s 2nd biggest chip foundry, said its blended average selling price will rise about 10% in 2027 and he expects a utilization rate over 90%, media report, adding AI will reach 25% of revenue within 3-years. UMC set its 2026 capex plan at US$2 billion, but the board also approved another US$3.2 billion in capex for an unspecified time period. $United Microelectronics(UMC.US) #Semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
TSMC is nearing a deal with AUO to buy up to 4 plants to convert for CoWoS advanced packaging, media report, citing unnamed supply chain sources. TSMC has sent multiple teams to inspect AUO plants in the Central Taiwan Science Park and is expected to ink a deal for 2 plants and a right of first refusal for 2 more. Buying older plants with cleanrooms shortens the time to new CoWoS capacity, compared to building anew.
A purchase would also boost TSMC affiliate Xintec (41% stake), which has already booked out space in its new P2 plant and needs more to meet TSMC demand for System-Level Testing (SLT). $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) $NVIDIA(NVDA.US) $Broadcom(AVGO.US) $Alphabet(GOOGL.US) $Amazon(AMZN.US) #AUO #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
Amkor 3Q26
- Rev +4.9% q/q and +0.2% y/y to $1.991B, slightly under the $2.0B guide midpoint- 4Q26 guided $1.9-2.0B (-2% q/q)- FY26 capex narrowed to $2.5B, the low end of $2.5-3.0B as Arizona construction payments shifted- 2027 capex steps up, with facilities alone above $2B (Arizona up to 15% of $12B, Korea $400-450M, Vietnam ~$50M) before any equipment- AZ Phase 2 construction starts in late '27 and capex peaks 2028-29 while Phase 2 construction overlaps Phase 1 tool-inSource: Sravan Kundojjala
Kioxia details its MSA-CBA design for ultra-high-density 3D NAND flash memory (BiCS Flash), using copper direct bonding to stack multiple 218-layer cell array wafers onto a CMOS wafer. The technology offers a path to 1,000+ layers. Prototype devices have also demonstrated successful QLC (4 bits/cell) operation and high-temperature data retention. #Kioxia $Sandisk(SNDK.US) $SSNLF $SK Hynix(SKHY.US) #semiconductors
Source: Dan Nystedt
TSMC’s massive cash pile is helping relieve liquidity pressure in Taiwan’s banking system – and earning higher yields for TSMC, media report. TSMC’s deposit rate jumped to 2.10% from 1.75% in just four months as banks compete for stable deposits (6 to 12 months) to meet strict liquidity rules.
It’s causing pain. State-backed banks are now issuing 1.775% ‘Youth Housing’ mortgages at a 30+ basis point negative spread vs TSMC deposits. The traditional safety net in Taiwan has long been postal savings, but much of that is tied up in NT$600 billion energy loans to TaiPower and CPC Corp. $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) #Taiwan #Banking #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
Micron Taiwan’s deal with its biggest union (Taichung) triggered a viral wave of inquiries on how to apply for a job, media report.
-Pay for 80% of workers will rise to 2.7x of current pay due to the deal. -Fab (production line) Operators pay will rise to NT$2 million+ from NT$630,000 now (US$62,900+ from $19,800). -Entry level Engineers: NT$4 million vs NT$1.45M-Mid-Senior Engineers: NT$6 million vs NT$2M $Micron Tech(MU.US) #semiconductorsSource: Dan Nystedt
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry will account for 30% of the nation’s total electricity consumption by 2035, and state-run TaiPower plans to invest NT$30 billion (US$920M) over 15-years to strengthen direct power delivery to industrial parks to meet demand, media report.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is expected to consume 110 billion kWh of power by 2035, up from 52 billion kWh this year. To meet this massive increase, TaiPower will build or expand 43 substations, add 1,922-kilometers of new transmission lines, and increase transformer capacity by 52,450 MVA (MegaVolt-Ampere). $Taiwan Semiconductor(TSM.US) $United Microelectronics(UMC.US) $Advanced Semiconductor Engineering(ASX.US)Source: Dan Nystedt