TSMC(US:TSM) Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2025-11-11 03:31Core Viewpoint - Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang is personally requesting increased chip supply from TSMC, indicating a critical demand for the next generation of AI chips, particularly the Rubin series, amidst a supply shortage in advanced chip manufacturing [1][2]. Group 1: Supply and Demand Dynamics - TSMC's current capacity for N3 chips is projected to reach only 140,000 to 145,000 wafers per month by the end of 2026, despite Nvidia's request for an expansion to 160,000 wafers per month [1][2]. - The supply-demand imbalance suggests that companies relying on advanced processes may face growth bottlenecks, while TSMC, having pricing power, is likely to see a significant increase in profit margins [1][6]. Group 2: Production Strategies - TSMC is not planning to build new N3 fabs but will prioritize existing facilities for next-generation nodes like N2 and A16, focusing on encouraging clients to migrate to leading nodes [2][4]. - The main increase in N3 capacity will come from converting production lines at the Tainan Fab 18, with an expected reduction in N4 utilization rates [2][4]. Group 3: Customer Demand - The demand for N3 process chips is expected to be extremely tight, with major tech companies like Nvidia, Broadcom, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft all vying for capacity [5][6]. - Due to pre-booked capacity by primary clients, demand from cryptocurrency miners is likely to remain unmet in 2026 [5]. Group 4: Financial Implications for TSMC - The scarcity of capacity is translating into improved profitability for TSMC, with clients executing "hot-runs" and "super hot-runs" at prices 50% to 100% higher for expedited delivery [6]. - TSMC's gross margin is projected to reach the low to mid-60% range in the first half of 2026, exceeding current market expectations, supported by a planned price increase of 6% to 10% for advanced processes starting in Q1 2026 [6].