TSMC Reports Slower Chip Sales, Fueling AI Uncertainty

Core Insights - The air demand is not plateauing despite ongoing discussions about it, with revenues showing a significant increase of approximately 17% in local currency and 22% in US dollar terms for October, aligning with previous guidance [1] - TSMC is experiencing its largest revenue month of the year to date, indicating continued growth and strong performance [2] - The primary challenge for TSMC in the upcoming 6 to 12 months is the need to bring additional capacity online quickly to meet external demand, which may be difficult to achieve [3] Industry Dynamics - Executives are optimistic despite some perceived soft numbers, as companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google are investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly in Nvidia and other accelerated chips, with TSMC being a critical supplier [4] - High capital expenditure (CapEx) spending in the industry is expected to continue for the next 12 months or longer, although there are concerns about the revenue generation capabilities of companies like OpenAI, which could impact the CapEx model [5] - Rising competition in the semiconductor space is noted, with TSMC's capacity being in high demand from both established and emerging competitors, indicating a more competitive landscape [6]