ab 20 November 2025 Global Research Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Raising capex and growth estimates on cloud AI megatrend Lifting 2026/27E capex to US$50/52bn Based on our further evaluation of cloud AI demand and new N3 supply/demand analysis (link), we raise our 2026/27 capex estimates for TSMC to US$50/52bn, from US $46/50bn previously. We believe TSMC, as the critical foundry supplier of leading edge and advanced packaging, needs to accelerate capacity expansion to support larger cloud AI demand. ...

Core Viewpoint - Huatai Securities maintains a "Buy" rating on TSMC (TSM.US) with a target price of $370, citing strong Q3 performance driven by robust AI demand and expansion in advanced process and packaging capacity [1] Financial Performance - TSMC's Q3 results exceeded expectations, primarily fueled by strong AI demand [1] - The company has raised its revenue and capital expenditure guidance for 2025 [1] Future Outlook - N2 mass production is imminent, with expectations for growth in High-Performance Computing (HPC) in 2026 [1] - TSMC's technological leadership and pricing power are expected to offset short-term margin dilution from overseas expansion, ensuring long-term profitability [1]

Core Viewpoint - TSMC reported record net profit for Q3 2025, but its stock price opened high and then fell due to market expectations of stronger AI demand and tight capacity, while TSMC remained conservative without increasing its capacity guidance or updating its CoWoS plans [1][5][11] Financial Performance - Q3 revenue reached $34.14 billion, a 30% year-over-year increase, with net profit of $15.5 billion, up 39% year-over-year [2][7] - Q3 gross margin improved to 59.5%, exceeding analyst expectations of 57.1%, while operating margin rose to 50.6% [1][7][10] - Q4 revenue guidance indicates a slight decline of 1% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting full capacity utilization [1][9] AI Demand and Market Trends - TSMC's Chairman noted that AI demand is significantly stronger than three months ago, driven by exponential growth in tokens, which are doubling approximately every three months [4][5][12] - The company is adopting a "Foundry 2.0" strategy to integrate advanced packaging and system-level performance optimization to meet AI-driven semiconductor demand [4][30] - TSMC's clients, including Nvidia, are increasingly relying on TSMC for chip production, indicating sustained demand for GPU chips [3][6] Capacity and Capital Expenditure - Q3 capital expenditure was $9.7 billion, with a total of $29.39 billion for the first nine months, reflecting ongoing capacity expansion to meet high demand [2][11] - TSMC plans to allocate 70% of its 2025 capital budget to advanced process technologies, with total capital expenditure expected to be between $40 billion and $42 billion [11][12] Customer Signals and Industry Outlook - TSMC is receiving strong signals from its customers' customers for increased capacity to support their business, reinforcing confidence in the fundamental demand for semiconductors [5][13] - The company is closely monitoring AI-related demand and is prepared to expand capacity in response to structural growth in the market [12][14] Global Manufacturing and Expansion Plans - TSMC is accelerating capacity expansion in Arizona, with plans for advanced packaging facilities to support customer needs [15][26] - The company is also expanding its manufacturing footprint in Japan and Europe, with ongoing projects in Kumamoto and Dresden [15][16] Technology and Innovation - TSMC's N2 technology is on track for production later this year, with expectations for rapid capacity ramp-up driven by demand in AI and high-performance computing applications [16][28] - The company emphasizes the importance of system-level performance over traditional transistor scaling, aligning with industry shifts [6][30]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company with a target price raised to $370 from $320 [1][5][7]. Core Insights - The company reported a 10.1% quarter-over-quarter revenue increase in Q3 2025, with a gross margin of 59.5%, exceeding guidance [1][12]. - For Q4 2025, the company expects revenue between $32.2 billion and $33.4 billion, with a gross margin forecast of 59%-61% [1][14]. - The company has raised its 2025 revenue guidance to a year-over-year growth of close to 35%, up from approximately 30% [1][14]. - The company expressed strong confidence in the growth of AI-related demand, expecting it to exceed previous guidance of a 40% CAGR from 2024 to 2029 [1][2]. Summary by Sections Financial Performance - In Q3 2025, the company achieved a revenue of $33.10 billion, with a gross margin of 59.5%, significantly above the guidance of 57.5% [1][12]. - The company’s capital expenditure for Q3 2025 was $9.70 billion [13]. AI Demand - The company noted that customers are requesting higher capacity due to increasing confidence in AI trends, with expectations for semiconductor demand growth to exceed the previously estimated CAGR of 40% from 2024 to 2029 [2][30]. - The company plans to increase investments in advanced nodes and packaging to meet the growing demand [2][30]. Global Expansion - The company is accelerating production in Arizona and has plans for additional facilities in Japan and Germany to support AI demand [3][31]. - The company expects a gross margin dilution of 1% to 2% in 2025 due to overseas factory ramp-up, which is an improvement from previous estimates [3][29]. Advanced Processes - The company is on track to achieve mass production of its N2 process in late 2025, with N2P and A16 expected to enter production in the second half of 2026 [4][32]. - The N2 series is anticipated to become a significant and lasting core node, enhancing the company's profitability [4][32]. Profit Forecast and Valuation - The revenue forecasts for 2025-2027 have been adjusted upward by 1.9%, 2.8%, and 0.4% respectively, with net profit estimates raised by 7.3%, 7.9%, and 6.1% [5][26]. - The company is assigned a 30x PE for 2026, reflecting its leading position in the semiconductor foundry market [5][26].

TSMC (2330.TW) Earnings Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) - **Ticker**: 2330.TW - **Market Cap**: NT$38.5 trillion / $1.3 trillion - **Enterprise Value**: NT$36.8 trillion / $1.2 trillion - **12-Month Price Target**: NT$1,720.00 - **Current Price**: NT$1,485.00 - **Upside Potential**: 15.8% Key Highlights from the Earnings Call Industry and Market Dynamics - **AI Demand**: TSMC's management expressed a significantly more positive outlook on AI demand compared to three months ago, indicating exponential growth in AI token demand every three months. The long-term AI revenue CAGR guidance remains at mid-40%, with potential for upward revision in the future [2][25][27]. - **Non-AI Market Recovery**: The non-AI segment has shown signs of recovery after bottoming out, contributing to overall revenue growth [22]. Financial Performance - **3Q25 Results**: - Revenue: NT$989.92 billion (up 6.0% QoQ, 30.3% YoY) - Gross Profit: NT$588.54 billion (GM: 59.5%) - Operating Income: NT$500.69 billion (OpM: 50.6%) - Net Income: NT$452.30 billion (EPS: NT$17.44, up 13.6% QoQ, 39.0% YoY) [21][40]. - **4Q25 Guidance**: Revenue expected to be in the range of US$32.2-33.4 billion, with GM guidance of 59-61% and OpM of 49-51% [39]. Capacity and Technology Developments - **Advanced Packaging (CoWoS)**: TSMC is increasing capacity for CoWoS, expecting a 61% CAGR in capacity and a 54% CAGR in shipments from 2025 to 2027. The annual capacity is projected to reach 1,740k wafers by 2027 [3][31]. - **N2 Technology**: N2 is on track for volume production in 4Q25, with significant demand expected from smartphones and AI/HPC applications. Projections indicate N2 will account for 9.0% of wafer revenue in 2026, higher than N3's initial ramp-up share [23][24]. Financial Guidance Revisions - **Revenue Guidance**: TSMC raised its 2025 revenue guidance to mid-30% YoY growth (in USD), up from 30% previously, driven by strong AI demand [4][22]. - **Capex Guidance**: Slightly increased to US$40-42 billion from US$38-42 billion, with a reduction in GM dilution guidance from overseas fab expansion to 1-2 percentage points [4]. Earnings Revisions - **EPS Revisions**: EPS estimates for 2025, 2026, and 2027 have been raised by 4.9%, 6.9%, and 8.5% respectively, reflecting stronger 3Q25 results and favorable FX rates [44][45]. Risks and Considerations - **Potential Upside in AI Revenue**: Management indicated that while the AI revenue CAGR guidance remains unchanged, there is potential for upward revision, with further details expected in early 2026 [25][27]. - **Market Conditions**: Investors should consider the potential impact of macroeconomic conditions and competition in the semiconductor industry on TSMC's performance [8]. Conclusion TSMC's earnings call highlighted robust growth driven by AI demand, a recovery in non-AI markets, and significant advancements in technology and capacity. The company has raised its revenue and EPS guidance, reflecting a strong outlook for the coming years.

Core Insights - The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving exponential growth in power demand across various sectors, from large-scale data centers to edge devices, injecting new vitality into everyday applications [2] - Energy efficiency is crucial for the sustainable growth of AI, as the power consumption of AI accelerators has tripled in five years, and deployment scale has increased eightfold in three years [4] Group 1: TSMC's Strategic Focus - TSMC is prioritizing advanced logic and 3D packaging innovations to address the challenges posed by increasing power demands [6] - The roadmap for TSMC's logic scaling is robust, with N2 expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2025, and N2P planned for next year [6] - Enhancements from N3 and N5 continue to increase value, with speed improvements of 1.8 times and power efficiency improvements of 4.2 times from N7 to A14, while power consumption decreases by approximately 30% per node [6] Group 2: Technological Innovations - N2 Nanoflex DTCO has optimized high-speed, low-power dual-unit designs, achieving a 15% speed increase or a 25-30% reduction in power consumption [8] - Dual-rail SRAM combined with Turbo/Nomin mode has improved efficiency by 10%, while memory computing (CIM) technology offers 4.5 times TOPS/W and 7.8 times TOPS/mm² performance compared to traditional 4nm DLA [9] - AI-driven design tools, such as Synopsys' DSO.AI, enhance power efficiency by 7% in the APR process and 20% in analog design integration with TSMC's API [9] Group 3: Packaging and Integration Advances - TSMC's 3D Fabric technology has shifted towards 3D packaging, including SoIC for die stacking and InFO for mobile/HPC chipsets [9] - The efficiency of 2.5D CoWoS has improved by 1.6 times with a reduction in micro-bump pitch from 45µm to 25µm, while 3D SoIC shows a 6.7 times efficiency improvement [10] - HBM integration technology has advanced, with TSMC's N12 logic substrate providing 1.5 times the bandwidth and efficiency of HBM3e DRAM substrates [12] Group 4: Overall Efficiency Gains - The effectiveness of Moore's Law remains evident, with logic scaling from N7 to A14 achieving a 4.2 times efficiency increase, and CIM technology improving by 4.5 times [17] - Packaging efficiency has improved by 6.7 times from 2.5D to 3D, while photonic technology has enhanced efficiency by 5-10 times [17] - AI has significantly boosted production efficiency, with improvements ranging from 10 to 100 times in various processes [17]

Core Insights - The humanoid robot industry has seen significant order growth since 2025, shifting market focus from technology development to practical application and delivery capabilities [1][2] - There remains a gap between rapid order growth and actual delivery, with challenges related to supply chain capacity and technology maturity [1][3] - Major application scenarios for humanoid robots include industrial, guiding, research, education, and healthcare [1] Order and Market Dynamics - As of mid-2025, over 83 humanoid robot projects have been publicly disclosed in China, with a total contract value of nearly 330 million yuan, marking an increase from the previous year [2] - Leading companies such as UBTECH, Yushutech, and Zhiyuan Robot have captured 60% of the total transaction value, with Yushutech leading in the number of bids [2] - A notable contract of 124 million yuan was awarded to Yushutech and Zhiyuan Robot for humanoid biped robot manufacturing services for China Mobile [2] Commercialization and Delivery Challenges - Companies like UBTECH aim to deliver hundreds of humanoid robots this year, with expectations of increasing efficiency in industrial applications [4] - Zhiyuan Robot has achieved significant milestones, including the mass production of over 1,000 robots, with plans for thousands more in 2025 [5] - The industry is experiencing a surge in smaller contracts, with projects under 1 million yuan making up 60% of the total [3] Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The humanoid robot market is projected to see substantial growth, with global sales expected to reach 12,400 units by 2025 and 340,000 units by 2030 [13] - Companies are focusing on industrial applications first, followed by commercial and household uses, indicating a strategic approach to market entry [8] - The lack of standardization in the humanoid robot industry poses challenges for mass production and integration, which companies are actively working to address [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - Intel is facing significant challenges, including a drastic decline in stock price and operational losses, prompting both government and private investment interest to stabilize the company [2][4][5]. Group 1: Government Involvement - The Trump administration is in discussions to acquire approximately 10% of Intel's shares, potentially making the U.S. government the largest shareholder of the chip manufacturer [2][4]. - The government is considering converting funds from the CHIPS and Science Act into equity investments, which could involve $10.9 billion in approved subsidies for commercial and military production [4]. - This initiative represents a historic move for the U.S. government to directly hold equity in a major tech company [4]. Group 2: Private Investment - SoftBank has announced a $2 billion investment in Intel at a price of $23 per share, making it the fifth-largest shareholder [2][4]. - Following the announcement of SoftBank's investment, Intel's stock price rose over 5% in after-hours trading [2]. Group 3: Financial Performance - Intel's stock price has plummeted by 60% in 2024, marking its worst performance in history [4]. - The company's Q2 2025 financial report revealed revenues of $12.9 billion but a net loss of $2.9 billion, with a gross margin falling below 30% [4][5]. - The foundry services segment reported a quarterly loss of $3.2 billion, and free cash flow was negative at $1.1 billion [4]. Group 4: Strategic Challenges - Intel's technological lag, particularly in advanced process nodes below 7nm, has resulted in a loss of market share, with the U.S. global chip production share dropping from 37% in 1990 to 12% [5]. - The company has missed opportunities in the AI sector, with Nvidia capturing 90% of the data center AI chip market while Intel holds less than 3% [5]. - Plans for a $20 billion advanced factory in Ohio have been delayed multiple times due to financial issues, with the latest production timeline pushed to 2031 [6]. Group 5: Broader Industry Context - The U.S. government is pushing for semiconductor industry revitalization through the CHIPS Act, but foreign companies are facing slow and costly expansion in the U.S. [8]. - The administration's investment strategy aims to ensure the U.S. maintains competitiveness in advanced manufacturing and high-end computing chips [8]. - Analysts suggest that government intervention may allow for greater oversight of Intel's operations, particularly concerning its dealings in China [9].

Core Viewpoint - The 2025 World Robot Conference showcased significant advancements in humanoid robots, highlighting their applications across various industries and the increasing commercial orders received by manufacturers [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Developments - The humanoid robot industry is experiencing rapid growth, with manufacturers like UBTECH and Zhiyuan Robotics reporting substantial order volumes and delivery targets for the coming years [4][7]. - Major applications for humanoid robots include industrial manufacturing, commercial services, research, and healthcare, with companies actively pursuing orders in these sectors [7][8]. Group 2: Order and Production Growth - Zhiyuan Robotics secured a multi-million yuan order from Fulian Precision, marking a significant milestone in the commercialization of humanoid robots in the industrial sector [2]. - UBTECH anticipates delivering approximately 500 industrial humanoid robots this year, with projections of over 1,000 units next year and potentially reaching 10,000 units by 2027 [4]. Group 3: Price Reduction and Cost Management - The continuous growth in orders is partly attributed to the decreasing prices of humanoid robots, with several companies launching models priced below 30,000 yuan [5][6]. - Cost reductions are driven by advancements in technology, increased production scale, and a higher domestic production rate of components, which collectively contribute to lower manufacturing costs [6]. Group 4: Commercialization Across Multiple Scenarios - The commercialization of humanoid robots is accelerating, with significant orders reported across various fields, including industrial applications and educational settings [7][8]. - Companies are focusing on deploying humanoid robots in environments with clear tasks and controlled settings, such as pharmacies and retail, to facilitate early-stage technology adoption [8].

Core Insights - TSMC is expected to dominate the high-end chip manufacturing market in the U.S., posing challenges for Intel and SMIC [2][3] - TSMC's expansion plans include significant investments in the U.S. and Taiwan, with a focus on advanced manufacturing processes [4][9] Global Capacity Layout - TSMC's wafer fabrication capacity will remain primarily in Taiwan, but additional capacity in the U.S. and Europe will provide a buffer against disruptions in Taiwan [3] - TSMC plans to build 11 new fabs and 4 packaging plants in Taiwan, potentially requiring more investment than the $165 billion planned for U.S. facilities [9] U.S. Expansion Plans - TSMC has committed to investing $165 billion in six chip fabs, two advanced packaging plants, and a research center in Phoenix, Arizona [4] - The first Arizona fab is already operational, while the second fab focusing on 3nm technology is completed and expected to ramp up production [6] Advanced Process Developments - TSMC anticipates that 2nm technology will see higher initial tape-out numbers compared to 3nm and 5nm, driven by demand from smartphones and high-performance computing (HPC) applications [11] - The A16 process is set to begin mass production in the second half of 2026, offering significant improvements in transistor density and energy efficiency [11] Financial Performance - TSMC reported record revenue of $30.07 billion for Q2, a 44.4% year-over-year increase, with net profit reaching $12.8 billion [14] - The company has a substantial cash reserve of $90.36 billion, supporting its ambitious capital expenditure plans in the U.S. and Taiwan [14] AI Chip Revenue Contribution - TSMC's HPC devices generated approximately $18 billion in sales, a 66.6% increase year-over-year, indicating a shift in revenue drivers from smartphones to AI-related products [16][19] - AI chip manufacturing and packaging contributed $8.78 billion in revenue, suggesting that AI could soon account for half of TSMC's total sales [19]