Some giants of the technology industry have the resources and will to build their own vertically integrated businesses that include both semiconductor chip design and production. However, for the vast bulk of chip designers, having Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM) available as the go-to foundry for turning their top artificial intelligence chip designs into actual products is a vital part of their business models. For its part, Taiwan Semi has been more than happy to scale up its operations t ...

Group 1: Automotive Industry Insights - The European motorcycle market is evolving, providing opportunities for Chinese brands to break through with a focus on quality-price ratio rather than just price competition [2] - Chinese motorcycle manufacturers, represented by Longxin and Chuncheng, have made significant technological advancements and channel development, establishing a competitive edge in the 300 to 800cc segment [2] - There is a broad growth potential for Chinese motorcycle companies in the European market, particularly in niche segments [2] Group 2: Hong Kong Stock Market Analysis - A framework for evaluating Hong Kong stocks based on cash flow, capital structure, profitability, shareholder returns, growth, and valuation has been developed [3] - The backtesting results indicate that a stock pool selected based on fundamental scores can achieve an annualized excess return of over 9% compared to the Hong Kong Stock Connect total return index [3] - Further enhancement strategies based on quality fundamentals have also shown promising performance, with an annualized excess return of nearly 15% after fees [3] Group 3: Global Companies' Performance in China - Among 30 large multinational companies, 45% reported improved performance in Q4 2025, with 33% expecting further improvement, despite challenges from the real estate sector [4] - Notable highlights include advancements in technology and a rise in demand for services and self-care consumption, which have positively impacted some traditional companies [4] Group 4: Company-Specific Reports - Vertiv reported a significant increase in orders and exceeded earnings expectations for Q4 2025, with revenue of $2.88 billion, a year-on-year increase of 23% [5] - The company provided optimistic guidance for Q1 2026 and the full year, with expected revenue between $2.5 billion and $2.75 billion [5] - The demand for liquid cooling solutions is expected to rise due to increased power requirements driven by advancements in AI and cloud computing [5] Group 5: Consumer and Media Sector Insights - Kewen Group is at a low point in its fundamentals but is expected to see improvements due to factors such as the end of inventory destocking by major clients and potential growth from new factories [7] - The company is projected to achieve positive sales growth in 2026, with stabilizing prices and potential for improved profitability [7] - Yuewen Group anticipates a loss due to goodwill impairment but maintains a positive long-term outlook on its IP operations and related business growth [8] Group 6: Semiconductor Industry Outlook - SMIC reported a 4.5% quarter-on-quarter revenue growth in Q4 2025, with a high capacity utilization rate of 95.7% [9] - The company expects stable revenue and margins for Q1 2026, with a focus on advanced packaging and a "Foundry 2.0" development strategy [9] - The demand for AI-related products is anticipated to tighten supply-demand relationships in mature processes, potentially increasing average selling prices [9] Group 7: Education Technology Sector Performance - Youdao's Q4 2025 revenue reached 1.56 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%, driven by growth in advertising and learning services [10] - The company achieved a significant operating profit and cash flow improvement, marking its first year of positive cash flow [10] - The outlook for 2026 remains positive, with expectations for continued growth in advertising and learning services [10]

Industry & Operational Situation - In 2025, strong growth in AI-related demand was observed, while non-AI markets showed signs of recovery, with the "Foundry 2.0" industry growing by 16% year-on-year [1] - The "Foundry 2.0" industry is expected to grow by 14% year-on-year in 2026 [1] - AI accelerator business accounted for 15% of TSMC's revenue in 2025, with an upward revision of revenue growth forecast, expecting a CAGR of mid-to-high 50% from 2024 to 2029 [1] - TSMC's overall revenue is projected to have a CAGR of nearly 25% in USD from 2024 to 2029 [1] - The second phase of the Arizona facility has been completed, with production plans being advanced due to strong customer demand, aiming for mass production in the second half of 2027 [1] Financial Performance - Sales revenue reached NT$1,046.09 billion (approximately USD 33.73 billion), with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 5.7% and a year-on-year increase of 20.5% [2][3] - Net profit attributable to shareholders was NT$505.74 billion, reflecting a quarter-on-quarter increase of 11.8% and a year-on-year increase of 35.0% [2][3] - Gross margin was reported at 62.3%, up 2.8 percentage points quarter-on-quarter and 3.3 percentage points year-on-year, benefiting from favorable exchange rates and optimized capacity utilization [2][3] - Earnings per share (EPS) was NT$19.50, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 11.8% and a year-on-year increase of 35.0% [2][3] Capital Expenditure & Guidance - Capital expenditure (CapEx) was NT$356.91 billion, showing a quarter-on-quarter increase of 24.2% but a year-on-year decrease of 1.4% [5] - For Q1 2026, revenue guidance is set between USD 34.6 billion and USD 35.8 billion, with a quarter-on-quarter increase of 4% and a year-on-year increase of 38% expected [5] - For the full year 2026, revenue is expected to grow nearly 30% year-on-year in USD, with market consensus at USD 150.44 billion, reflecting a growth of approximately 25% [6] - Long-term gross margin is expected to exceed 56%, with a focus on improving production efficiency and optimizing capacity across nodes [6] Market Dynamics & Customer Insights - TSMC's CEO expressed confidence in the sustainability of AI demand, citing positive feedback from customers regarding AI's impact on their business growth [7][8] - The company is accelerating capacity expansion in both Taiwan and Arizona to meet AI demand, with government support facilitating progress [8] - Despite concerns over rising storage costs, TSMC anticipates continued strong demand for high-end smartphones, which are less sensitive to price fluctuations [12][15] Technology & Competitive Landscape - TSMC's advanced process technologies, particularly in 3nm and upcoming 2nm nodes, are expected to maintain strong demand due to their performance advantages [18][20] - The company is committed to supporting all customers, even as it scales down 8-inch mature process capacity [14] - TSMC does not foresee a significant risk of market share loss to competitors like Intel, emphasizing the complexity and time required to develop advanced technologies [13]

Core Insights - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) reported strong fourth-quarter results driven by robust demand for advanced process technologies, particularly in AI-related applications [3][16] - The company outlined a significant investment plan for 2026, with capital expenditures expected to rise to $52–56 billion, focusing on advanced process technologies [5][14] Financial Performance - Fourth-quarter revenue increased by 5.7% sequentially in New Taiwan dollars and 1.9% in U.S. dollars to $33.7 billion, slightly exceeding prior guidance [2][6] - Gross margin improved by 2.8 percentage points to 62.3%, while operating margin rose by 3.4 percentage points to 54% [1][2] - Earnings per share (EPS) for the fourth quarter was TWD 19.5, with a return on equity of 38.8% [1] Market Segmentation - Advanced nodes (3nm, 5nm, and 7nm) accounted for 77% of wafer revenue in 2025, with high-performance computing (HPC) contributing 55% of fourth-quarter revenue [4][7] - AI accelerator revenue is projected to grow at a mid- to high-50s% CAGR through 2029, indicating strong future demand [4][16] Future Guidance - For Q1 2026, TSMC expects revenue between $34.6 billion and $35.8 billion, implying approximately 4% sequential growth and 38% year-over-year growth at the midpoint [5][12] - The company anticipates near-30% full-year revenue growth for 2026, with gross margins projected between 63% and 65% [5][12] Capital Expenditure and Investment - TSMC plans to allocate 70–80% of its 2026 capital expenditures to advanced process technologies, with additional investments in specialty technologies and advanced packaging [14][15] - The company is also ramping up production capabilities, with N2 entering high-volume production and plans for N2P/A16 in 2026 [4][19] Operational Updates - TSMC's cash and marketable securities totaled TWD 3.1 trillion (approximately $98 billion) at the end of the fourth quarter, with strong cash flow generation of TWD 726 billion [6][9] - The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint, with new fabs in Arizona and Japan, and ongoing construction in Germany [17][18]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter revenue increased by 5.7% sequentially in NT$ and by 1.9% in U.S. dollar terms to $33.7 billion, slightly exceeding guidance [3] - Gross margin rose by 2.8 percentage points sequentially to 62.3%, driven by cost improvements and favorable foreign exchange rates [3] - Operating margin increased by 3.4 percentage points sequentially to 54% due to lower operating expenses [3] - Full year 2025 revenue increased by 35.9% in U.S. dollar terms to $1 billion, with gross margin up 3.8 percentage points to 59.9% [6][7] - Full year EPS increased by 46.4% to TWD 66.25 and ROE increased by 5.1 percentage points to 35.4% [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - 3 nm process technology contributed 28% of wafer revenue in Q4, while 5 nm and 7 nm accounted for 35% and 14% respectively [4] - Advanced technologies (7 nm and below) accounted for 77% of wafer revenue for the full year, up from 69% in 2024 [4] - High-Performance Computing (HPC) revenue increased by 48% year over year, accounting for 58% of total revenue in 2025 [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - HPC revenue increased by 4% quarter over quarter to account for 55% of Q4 revenue, while smartphone revenue increased by 11% to account for 32% [5] - Automotive revenue decreased by 1% to account for 5%, and Data Center Equipment (DCE) revenue decreased by 22% to account for 1% [5] - Overall, smartphone, IoT, and automotive segments saw year-over-year increases of 11%, 15%, and 34% respectively in 2025 [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - TSMC plans to invest between $52 billion and $56 billion in capital expenditures for 2026, focusing on advanced process technologies [13] - The company aims to leverage manufacturing excellence to drive productivity and optimize capacity across nodes [10][16] - TSMC is committed to supporting customer growth while maintaining a disciplined approach to capacity planning [22][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the AI megatrend, forecasting a 14% growth in the Foundry 2.0 industry for 2026, supported by robust AI-related demand [19] - Concerns about potential tariff policies and rising component prices were acknowledged, with a focus on prudent business planning [18] - Management expects 2026 to be another strong growth year, with full-year revenue projected to increase by close to 30% in U.S. dollar terms [19] Other Important Information - TSMC's cash and marketable securities totaled TWD 3.1 trillion or $98 billion at the end of Q4 [5] - The company plans to pay a cash dividend of TWD 23 per share in 2026, up from TWD 18 in 2025 [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on customer demand and AI-related growth - Management confirmed strong customer demand for AI, with evidence of growth in their businesses, indicating that AI is a real and growing trend [36][37] Question: U.S. expansion plans and capacity commitments - Management is accelerating fab expansion in Arizona due to strong demand from AI customers, with plans for additional fabs [41][42] Question: Evaluation of power supply for data centers - Management is actively assessing power supply needs for AI infrastructure, ensuring that silicon supply remains the primary bottleneck [46][47] Question: Advanced packaging revenue contribution and focus areas - Advanced packaging contributed about 8% of revenue in 2025, with expectations for growth in the next five years [50][51] Question: Non-AI market outlook and competition - Management expects strong demand in non-AI segments, particularly in high-end smartphones, despite rising memory costs [55][66] Question: Engineering talent and capacity planning - Management acknowledged challenges in developing engineering talent but emphasized productivity improvements as a focus for 2026-2027 [71][72]

Summary of TSMC's 2027 Capex Update and Foundry Dynamics Company and Industry Overview - **Company**: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) - **Industry**: Semiconductor Foundry - **Date of Report**: January 13, 2026 Key Points and Arguments TSMC's Capital Expenditure (Capex) - TSMC's estimated capex for 2027 has been raised to **US$54 billion**, up from **US$49 billion** in 2026, driven by strong demand for **2nm and AI semiconductors** [1][8][19] - The company is expected to see **EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) orders increase by approximately 40-50%** from 2026 levels [1][8] Capacity and Production Plans - TSMC plans to convert part of its **Fab 12 and Fab 14** capacity for **interposer production** and may outsource **CoWoS (Chip on Wafer on Substrate) interposer production** to **Vanguard** in 2027 [1][8][9] - The company added **~20kwpm** of its **55nm/65nm capacity** for interposer production in 2025, indicating strong demand for AI semiconductors [9] Market Dynamics and Competitors - **Data center-related PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit)** faces shortages, with **SMIC and Vanguard** expected to benefit and potentially increase their **8-inch wafer prices** [1][8] - **Samsung Foundry** is gradually reducing its **8-inch engineering resources** to support leading-edge demand, which may lead to a shift of some display driver IC orders to **UMC** in the second half of 2027 [1][8] Financial Projections and Stock Ratings - TSMC's revenue growth is projected at **30% year-over-year in 2026**, exceeding the Street consensus of **24%** [1][23] - Price targets for TSMC have been raised to **NT$1,988** from **NT$1,888** [1][48] - **UMC** has been downgraded to **Underweight** due to potential investor disappointment regarding wafer price hikes and interposer production [1][8] Foundry 2.0 Concept - TSMC introduced the **Foundry 2.0** concept, expanding its business definition to include both front-end and back-end operations, with advanced packaging revenue approaching **10% of total revenue by 2025** [32][33] Long-term Outlook - TSMC is expected to outgrow the foundry industry due to its leadership position and heavy capex investments compared to peers [1][24] - The company aims to expand its **2nm capacity to 140kwpm by 2027**, with further growth anticipated beyond that [1][24] Additional Important Insights - TSMC's **EUV layer count** for future nodes is not significantly increasing, but the installed base of EUV scanners is expected to accelerate, particularly in 2027 [11] - The report highlights the importance of TSMC's capacity expansion as a key driver for the entire foundry industry's growth and revenue trajectory [19][23] This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call regarding TSMC's strategic direction, financial outlook, and the broader semiconductor foundry landscape.

Financial Highlights - Third quarter revenue increased 10.1% sequentially to $33.1 billion, slightly above guidance, driven by strong demand for leading-edge process technologies [3][11] - Gross margin rose 0.9 percentage points sequentially to 59.5%, primarily due to cost improvements and higher capacity utilization [3][7] - Operating margin increased 1.0 percentage point sequentially to 50.6% [3] - EPS was TWD 17.44, up 39% year-over-year, with ROE at 37.8% [3] - Cash and marketable securities totaled TWD 2.8 trillion ($90 billion) at the end of the quarter [4] Business Line Performance - 3 nm process technology contributed 23% of wafer revenue, while 5 nm and 7 nm accounted for 37% and 14% respectively [4] - Revenue from the smartphone segment increased 19% to account for 30% of total revenue, while IoT and automotive segments grew by 20% and 18% respectively [4] - Data Center Equipment (DCE) revenue decreased by 20% to account for 1% of total revenue [4] Market Data - The company expects fourth quarter revenue to be between $32.2 billion and $33.4 billion, representing a 1% sequential decrease or a 22% year-over-year increase at the midpoint [6][7] - Full-year 2025 revenue is expected to increase by close to mid-30% year-over-year in U.S. dollar terms [11] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - TSMC is focusing on maintaining technology leadership and manufacturing excellence while investing in advanced process technologies to support AI-related demand [9][12] - The company is narrowing its 2025 CapEx range to $40 billion to $42 billion, with 70% allocated for advanced process technologies [10] - TSMC is expanding its global manufacturing footprint, including capacity expansion in Arizona and Japan, to meet strong multi-year AI-related demand [17][18] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about AI-related demand, expecting it to continue driving growth [11][13] - There are uncertainties regarding tariff policies that could impact consumer-related markets, but management is focused on technology leadership and customer trust [12] - The company is preparing for a structural increase in long-term market demand, particularly in AI applications [15] Other Important Information - TSMC's advanced packaging revenue is approaching 10% of total revenue, highlighting its importance in the competitive landscape [102] - The company is working closely with customers to ensure capacity meets demand, particularly in the AI sector [15][16] Q&A Session Summary Question: AI Demand Growth - Management confirmed that AI demand continues to be strong, with expectations for growth rates potentially exceeding previous mid-40% CAGR forecasts [26][27] Question: CapEx Outlook - Management indicated that CapEx will correlate with business opportunities, and they expect to continue investing to support growth [29][30] Question: CoWoS Capacity - Management is working to narrow the gap between demand and supply for CoWoS capacity, with updates expected next year [32] Question: Advanced Packaging Expansion - TSMC is building two advanced packaging fabs in Arizona and collaborating with partners to meet customer needs [75] Question: Revenue Growth Drivers - Growth is expected to be driven by technology migration, ASP increases, and volume growth [76][78] Question: AI Data Center Capacity - Management noted that 1 GW of AI data center capacity could require significant investment, but specific wafer demand figures are not yet available [89] Question: Competition and Strategic Initiatives - TSMC is focusing on system performance and advanced packaging to strengthen its competitive position in the Foundry 2.0 landscape [102] Question: Concerns about Prebuilt Inventory - Management expressed no concerns about prebuilt inventory levels, indicating they are at healthy seasonal levels [105]

Financial Highlights - In Q3 2025, revenue increased by 6% sequentially in NT and by 10.1% in USD to $33.1 billion, slightly exceeding guidance [5][6] - Gross margin rose by 0.9 percentage points sequentially to 59.5%, driven by cost improvements and higher capacity utilization [6][12] - Operating margin increased by 1.0 percentage point sequentially to 50.6% [6] - EPS was up 39% year over year, and ROE was 37.8% [6] Business Line Performance - Three nanometer process technology contributed 23% of wafer revenue, while five nanometer and seven nanometer accounted for 37% and 14% respectively [7] - Advanced technologies (seven nanometer and below) made up 74% of wafer revenue [7] - Revenue contribution by platform: HPC remained flat at 57%, smartphone increased by 19% to 30%, IoT grew by 20% to 5%, automotive rose by 18% to 5%, while DCE decreased by 20% to 1% [7][8] Market Data - Cash and marketable securities at the end of Q3 were NT2.8 trillion (approximately $90 billion) [8] - Current liabilities decreased by NT101 billion quarter over quarter, mainly due to a reduction in accrued liabilities [8] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - TSMC is narrowing its 2025 CapEx guidance to between $40 billion and $42 billion, with 70% allocated for advanced process technologies [14] - The company aims to leverage its manufacturing technology leadership and large-scale production to remain the most efficient and cost-effective manufacturer [13] - TSMC is expanding its global manufacturing footprint, with significant investments in Arizona, Japan, and Europe to meet strong AI-related demand [22][24] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects continued strong demand for leading-edge process technologies, particularly in AI, with full-year 2025 revenue projected to increase by close to mid-thirties percent year over year in USD terms [16][17] - There are uncertainties regarding tariff policies that could impact consumer-related markets, but TSMC remains focused on technology leadership and customer trust [17][20] - The company is preparing for a structural increase in long-term market demand, particularly in AI applications, and is employing a disciplined capacity planning process [20][21] Other Important Information - TSMC's two nanometer technology is on track for volume production later this quarter, with expectations for a faster ramp in 2026 [25][26] - The company is also introducing N2P as an extension of its N2 family, with volume production scheduled for the second half of 2026 [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: AI Demand Growth - Management confirmed that AI demand continues to be strong, with expectations for growth rates potentially exceeding previous mid-forties CAGR guidance [34][35] Question: CapEx Outlook - Management indicated that CapEx will correlate with growth opportunities, and while it is unlikely to drop significantly, it may increase in response to strong demand [38][40] Question: AI Infrastructure and Token Growth - Management acknowledged that token growth is expected to be exponential, and TSMC's technology will enable customers to handle increased demand effectively [78][84] Question: Competition and Strategic Initiatives - TSMC is focusing on Foundry 2.0 to enhance system performance and is working closely with customers to maintain competitive advantages [112][113] Question: Smartphone Demand and Prebuild Concerns - Management expressed no concerns about prebuild inventory levels, indicating that they are currently healthy and at seasonal levels [117]

Financial Highlights - Third quarter revenue increased 10.1% sequentially to $33.1 billion, slightly exceeding guidance, driven by strong demand for leading-edge process technologies [3][10] - Gross margin rose 0.9 percentage points sequentially to 59.5%, attributed to cost improvements and higher capacity utilization, despite foreign exchange challenges [3][6] - Operating margin increased 1.0 percentage point sequentially to 50.6% [3] - Earnings per share (EPS) was 17.44 NT, up 39% year over year, with a return on equity (ROE) of 37.8% [3] Business Line Performance - Revenue contribution from 3-nanometer process technology was 23%, while 5-nanometer and 7-nanometer accounted for 37% and 14% respectively [4] - High-Performance Computing (HPC) remained flat at 57% of revenue, while smartphone revenue increased 19% to 30%, IoT grew 20% to 5%, and automotive rose 18% to 5% [4] - Data Center Equipment (DCE) revenue decreased 20% to 1% [4] Market Data - The company ended the third quarter with cash and marketable securities of 2.8 trillion NT ($90 billion) [4] - Current liabilities decreased by 101 billion NT, mainly due to a reduction in accrued liabilities [4] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - TSMC is narrowing its 2025 capital expenditures (CAPEX) guidance to between $40 billion and $42 billion, with 70% allocated for advanced process technologies [9] - The company expects gross margin dilution from overseas fabs to be between 1% to 2% for the full year 2025, improved from previous estimates [7] - TSMC aims to leverage its manufacturing technology leadership and large-scale production to remain competitive [8] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted strong AI-related demand and a mild recovery in non-AI segments, projecting full-year 2025 revenue growth of close to mid-30% year over year in U.S. dollar terms [10][11] - The company remains cautious about potential tariff impacts on consumer-related markets but is committed to investing in future megatrends [11] - TSMC is focused on technology leadership, manufacturing excellence, and customer trust to strengthen its competitive position [11] Other Important Information - TSMC is expanding its global manufacturing footprint, with significant progress in Arizona and plans for additional fabs in Japan and Germany [16][17] - The company is preparing for the ramp-up of its 2-nanometer technology, with volume production expected later this quarter [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: AI Demand Growth - Management confirmed that AI demand is stronger than previously anticipated, with an expected CAGR in the mid-40% range for AI accelerators [21][24] Question: CAPEX Outlook - Management indicated that CAPEX will correlate with business opportunities, and they will continue to invest as long as growth opportunities exist [26][27] Question: CoWoS Capacity - Management is working to increase CoWoS capacity to meet demand but did not provide specific numbers for 2026 [30] Question: Competition and Foundry 2.0 - TSMC is focusing on system performance and advanced packaging as part of its Foundry 2.0 strategy to enhance competitiveness [74][76] Question: Smartphone Prebuilt Concerns - Management expressed no concerns about prebuilt inventory levels, indicating they are healthy and seasonal [79]

Core Insights - Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing company, TSMC, is projected to increase its foundry market share to 38% by Q2 2025, up from 31% year-over-year, driven by a 19% increase in foundry revenue due to AI demand and Chinese subsidies [1] - Advanced packaging technology is becoming increasingly important, with TSMC expected to maintain its leadership in both advanced process nodes and advanced packaging in the foreseeable future [1][2] - The OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) industry is experiencing a revenue growth rate acceleration from 5% to 11%, with companies like ASE and King Yuan benefiting significantly from AI GPU demand [2] Summary by Sections TSMC Market Share and Revenue Growth - TSMC's foundry market share is expected to rise to 38% by Q2 2025, compared to 31% in the same period last year [1] - The overall foundry revenue is anticipated to grow by 19% year-over-year, primarily due to the demand for advanced processes and packaging driven by AI and subsidies from China [1] - Counterpoint Research forecasts moderate single-digit growth in foundry revenue by Q3 2025 [1] Advanced Packaging and Technology Trends - Advanced packaging is becoming a crucial growth driver for chip manufacturers, with TSMC's strong technology and customer relationships positioning it well for future leadership [2] - The shift towards Foundry 2.0 indicates a transition from traditional foundry services to a more integrated technology platform, encompassing various semiconductor manufacturing processes [2] Application Processor (AP) Market Dynamics - TSMC is expected to dominate the application processor market with a projected 90% share in the 5nm or smaller process technology segment [3] - The demand for advanced semiconductor processes is increasing due to the growing need for performance and energy efficiency in high-end smartphones [4] - TSMC's market share in the sub-3nm AP manufacturing segment is projected to be around 87% this year, increasing to 89% by 2028 [4] Competitive Landscape - Samsung is working to improve its yield rates in the 3nm and below processes to catch up with TSMC, having recently stabilized its 3nm process [5] - Despite Samsung's efforts, TSMC continues to lead in advanced process technology, with significant market share in AP manufacturing for major clients like Apple and Qualcomm [4][5]