Veteran analyst revisits key semiconductor stock amid tech earnings season

Core Viewpoint - TSMC's stock experienced a decline of 4.45% on January 20, reversing most of the gains made after its earnings report, amidst a broader market downturn [1] Financial Performance - TSMC reported diluted earnings per ADR of $3.14 for Q4, representing a 35% increase year-over-year [2] - The company's revenue for the quarter reached $33.73 billion, up 25.5% from the previous year [2] - Gross margin improved to 62.3%, compared to 59.5% a year ago [2] Market Position and Analyst Ratings - TSMC is recognized as the world's largest chip foundry and a key supplier for major companies like Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom [1][4] - TD Cowen raised its price target for TSMC to $370 from $325, maintaining a hold rating, citing strong quarterly results [4] - Barclays increased its price target for TSMC to $450 from $380, maintaining an overweight rating, and described the Q4 results as "strong across the board" [5] Stock Performance - TSMC ADRs have increased approximately 9.2% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 has decreased by 0.7% during the same period [3] Investor Activity - Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, purchased 5,542 shares of TSMC valued at around $1.9 million following the earnings report [5] Technical Analysis - A veteran trader noted that TSMC's margins are a key catalyst for the stock, suggesting that the focus should be on margin performance [6] - The trader also identified a bullish technical setup prior to the earnings report, indicating favorable momentum indicators [7]