Core Viewpoint - TSMC's latest financial report significantly exceeded expectations, showcasing strong performance with a gross margin surpassing 60% for the first time and a net profit of $16 billion, which was above analyst forecasts [1][3]. Financial Performance - TSMC achieved a gross margin of 62.3% in Q4, exceeding the previous guidance of 59%-61% and market expectations of 60.8%. The operating profit margin reached 54%, also surpassing the market's 51% forecast [5]. - The company raised its Q1 gross margin guidance to 63%-65%, significantly higher than Bank of America Merrill Lynch's estimate of 60.9% and the market's general expectation of 60.0% [5]. - TSMC has increased its long-term structural gross margin target from "53% and above" to "56% and above," driven by improved pricing power and operational efficiency [5]. Capital Expenditure and Growth Outlook - TSMC raised its 2026 capital expenditure guidance to $52-56 billion, nearly 40% higher than previous expectations of $45-46 billion, signaling a strong commitment to the AI chip sector [2][4]. - The company expects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% for revenue from 2024 to 2029, up from the previous estimate of 20%. The revenue CAGR for AI accelerator business is projected to rise from "mid-40%" to "mid-50%" [4]. - TSMC anticipates nearly 30% year-over-year revenue growth in 2026, exceeding the market's prior expectation of a 20% mid-range growth rate [4]. Market Position and Industry Impact - TSMC's strong performance and capital expenditure outlook are expected to benefit the Asian semiconductor equipment sector, with companies like Tokyo Electron and Advantest anticipated to see significant gains [8]. - The company is viewed as a critical capacity bottleneck in the AI industry, and its increased capital investment signals a positive outlook for the semiconductor and AI sectors [9]. - TSMC's leadership in advanced process technology and its strategic shift towards advanced packaging are contributing to stable and sustainable capacity utilization levels [6].