ab 16 October 2025 Global Research Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Key enabler of Cloud AI: strong sales & capex upside for 2026F More robust Cloud AI outlook In line with our preview, TSMC raised full-year sales growth (US$) guidance to mid-30% and capex to US$40-42bn. Q4 sales guidance of a 1% QoQ decline (US$) at the mid- point is roughly in line with buy-side expectations of flat QoQ. Q3 GM of 59.5% (UBSe 57.5%) was a strong beat due to cost reduction and improved utilisation, and TSMC guided Q4 GM t ...

Summary of GlobalWafers Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: GlobalWafers (6488 TT) - **Industry**: Semiconductor Wafers Key Financial Results (2Q25) - **Revenue**: NT$16,008 million, up 2.7% QoQ and 4.5% YoY [5] - **Gross Profit**: NT$4,123 million, down 16.7% YoY [5] - **Gross Margin (GM%)**: 25.8%, down from 32.3% YoY [5] - **Operating Profit**: NT$2,438 million, down 27.6% YoY [5] - **Net Income**: NT$1,682 million, down 41.6% YoY [5] - **Earnings Per Share (EPS)**: NT$3.52, down 41.5% YoY [5] Core Insights - **Market Outlook**: GWC anticipates some half-on-half (HoH) sales growth in 2H25 and year-on-year (YoY) growth in 2026 in US dollar terms [3][10] - **Capital Expenditure (Capex)**: Expected to remain similar to 2024 levels but significantly reduced in 2026 [3] - **Long-term Growth**: Despite a weaker semiconductor market, GWC expects a return to positive sales growth in 2025 and acceleration in 2026 [4] - **Gross Profit Margin (GPM)**: Expected to remain weaker than previous up-cycles due to higher depreciation, utility costs, and foreign exchange headwinds [4][10] Investment Ratings and Target Price - **Current Rating**: Outperform [4] - **Target Price**: NT$453.00, based on a 12x multiple of 2026E EPS [4][8] Additional Considerations - **Customer Inventory**: Reported to be down, with strong demand for leading-edge nodes [10] - **Cost Management**: The company is attempting to pass on cost increases to customers [10] - **US Market Entry**: GWC received its first grant/subsidy in the US in 2Q25, which may benefit from TSMC's aggressive long-term capex plans in the US [10] - **Prepayments**: Continue to decline sequentially due to an oversupply situation [10] Financial Projections - **Revenue Growth**: Expected to recover with a projected growth of 9.5% in 2025 and 19.4% in 2026 [9] - **Net Debt to Equity Ratio**: Expected to rise to 49.4% in 2025 [9] - **Return on Equity (ROE)**: Projected to improve to 15.9% by 2026 [9] Conclusion GlobalWafers is navigating a challenging semiconductor market but is positioned for potential growth in the coming years, supported by strategic cost management and market demand dynamics. The company's long-term outlook remains positive despite short-term challenges.

Group 1 - TSMC is set to implement more advanced technology in its fifth and sixth fabs located in Arizona [1]