TSMC 2025 Q1 Earnings Call: AI Demand, US Expansion, and Technology Outlook

Live Track
17 Apr


Q1: What is the current AI demand outlook, especially for CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) capacity?

A:
- AI demand remains strong, with CoWoS capacity expected to double in 2025.
- The supply-demand gap for CoWoS is narrowing but demand still exceeds supply.
- TSMC is working hard to ensure capacity meets demand, with the situation expected to be more balanced in 2026.

Q2: Regarding the US investment and expansion plans:

A:
- The $100 billion additional investment in Arizona is driven by strong customer demand, especially for AI-related products from companies like Apple, NVIDIA, AMD, and Qualcomm.
- About 30% of TSMC's 2nm capacity will be located in Arizona, creating an independent leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing cluster in the US.
- TSMC is not involved in tariff negotiations between governments but respects their decisions.
- The company is discussing pricing strategies with major customers to reflect the value of geographic manufacturing flexibility.

Q3: How does the recent geopolitical situation, including potential semiconductor tariffs, impact TSMC's forecast and production planning?

A:
- TSMC has considered potential impacts in its forecasts but hasn't seen changes in customer behavior so far.
- The company maintains its full-year 2025 revenue growth forecast of close to mid-20% year-over-year.
- TSMC will continue monitoring the situation closely.

Q4: Can you provide more details on the R&D center planned for Arizona?

A:
- The R&D center will employ about 1,000 engineers, focusing on supporting the manufacturing cluster and improving its technology.
- While the primary focus is on manufacturing support, the center will also conduct some exploratory work and collaborate with universities.
- Long-term plans may include involvement in new node development and pathfinding opportunities.

Q5: What is the timeline for the Arizona fab expansion, and can it be accelerated?

A:
- TSMC is working to speed up production at the second fab and construction of the third fab.
- The company is responding to strong customer demand but didn't provide specific timeline changes.
- Construction and ramp-up schedules for additional fabs will be based on customer demand and market conditions.

Q6: How does TSMC view the potential for structural changes in AI chip design, such as chiplets, when moving to 3nm and beyond?

A:
- TSMC acknowledges the trend towards advanced packaging technologies like CoWoS and is aggressively developing panel-level packaging.
- The company plans to build advanced packaging facilities in Arizona to complement its wafer manufacturing capabilities.
- TSMC continues to work closely with customers on evolving chip design trends and technologies to meet future AI demands.

Disclaimer: This earnings call summary is generated by AI and is for informational purposes only. Due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may exist. It does not constitute investment advice or commitments.

Disclaimer: Investing carries risk. This is not financial advice. The above content should not be regarded as an offer, recommendation, or solicitation on acquiring or disposing of any financial products, any associated discussions, comments, or posts by author or other users should not be considered as such either. It is solely for general information purpose only, which does not consider your own investment objectives, financial situations or needs. TTM assumes no responsibility or warranty for the accuracy and completeness of the information, investors should do their own research and may seek professional advice before investing.

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