半导体芯闻·2025-11-11 10:17Core Viewpoint - TSMC reported record financial performance for Q3 2025, with sales reaching $33.1 billion and operating profit at $16.75 billion, marking a significant recovery in operating margin to over 50% from a previous low of around 40% [2][4]. Financial Performance - TSMC's Q3 2025 sales of $33.1 billion positioned it as the second-largest semiconductor company, trailing only NVIDIA at $46.7 billion, and outperforming competitors like Samsung ($23.2 billion) and Intel ($13.7 billion) [4]. - The quarterly wafer shipments reached a record high of 4.09 million pieces in Q3 2025, demonstrating a V-shaped recovery from a low of 2.9 million pieces in Q3 2023 [8]. Technology and Production Nodes - TSMC's strong performance is attributed to the rapid growth in wafer input for advanced 3nm and 5nm nodes, while contributions from older nodes like 7nm are declining due to a shift in focus among Chinese manufacturers towards mature process nodes [6][12]. - The application of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology has been pivotal, with TSMC operating over 150 EUV machines, significantly enhancing its competitive edge [6][11]. Market Dynamics - The semiconductor market is witnessing a shift from smartphone-centric production to a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC), with TSMC's HPC business expected to surpass smartphone sales by Q3 2025 [26][31]. - The market share of TSMC's mature nodes is being eroded by Chinese competitors, as they pivot towards these nodes due to U.S. restrictions on advanced technology exports to China [16][17]. Customer Base Evolution - TSMC's top customers are shifting, with NVIDIA projected to account for 22-25% of revenue by 2025, overtaking Apple, which is expected to drop to 20-23% [28][30]. - The dominance of AI semiconductor companies in TSMC's customer base reflects a significant transformation in the company's revenue structure, moving away from reliance on smartphone manufacturers [30][32]. Competitive Landscape - TSMC's lead in advanced semiconductor manufacturing is reinforced by its substantial investment in EUV technology, making it difficult for competitors like Samsung and Intel to catch up [36]. - The ability to supply advanced nodes has become a critical asset, positioning TSMC as a central player in the global semiconductor supply chain, akin to a "central bank" for computing resources [36].