TSM Stock Hits 52-Week High: Is It Time to Book Profits or Buy More?

Core Insights - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) shares reached a 52-week high of $233.82, closing at $233.60, with an 18.2% year-to-date (YTD) increase, outperforming the Zacks Computer and Technology sector's 5.6% rise [1][10] - TSMC has outperformed peers such as NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, and Intel, which saw YTD increases of 17%, 14.6%, and 9.1%, respectively [2][10] - Investor confidence in TSMC's long-term prospects is growing, supported by strong fundamentals and a favorable long-term outlook [3] Financial Performance - In the first quarter of 2025, TSMC reported a 35% year-over-year revenue increase to $25.53 billion and a 53% rise in net income to nearly $11 billion [8] - The company's earnings per share (EPS) jumped 53.6% to $2.12, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.03, with an average surprise of 6.9% over the last four quarters [9] AI-Driven Growth - AI-related revenues for TSMC tripled in 2024, contributing a mid-teen percentage to total revenues, with expectations to double again in 2025 and a projected 40% compound annual growth rate over the next five years [7][10] - TSMC is positioned as a key player in the AI revolution, supplying advanced chips to major companies like NVIDIA and AMD [6] Investment and Valuation - TSMC plans to invest between $38 billion and $42 billion in capital expenditures in 2025, significantly higher than the $29.8 billion investment in 2024, with 70% of this focused on advanced manufacturing processes [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts revenue growth of 29.8% and 17.3% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with EPS expected to rise by 31.8% and 15.8% [12] - TSMC's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 23.32X, lower than the sector average of 26.7, making it an attractive option for long-term investors [13][14] Conclusion - TSMC's dominance in advanced nodes, increasing AI-related demand, and aggressive capacity investments position it well for future growth, making it a compelling buy opportunity [15]