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TSMC's Q3 Profit Exceeds Expectations Amid Strong AI Demand
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) the world’s largest contract chipmaker, posted stronger-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, driven by booming demand for its advanced chips from the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.
Record Q3 Profit Surpasses Estimates
TSMC reported a net profit\ of T$325.26 billion ($10.1 billion) for the quarter ending September 30, surpassing Reuters' estimate of T$300.2 billion. Revenue reached T$759.69 billion, marking a 39% year-on-year increase, thanks to rising sales of its cutting-edge 3-nanometer chips, which contributed 20% to total wafer revenue.
AI Demand Offsets Weak Consumer Electronics Sector
While demand for AI chips surged\, the company faced a 19% quarter-on-quarter drop in revenue from its digital consumer electronics sector, which includes chips for devices like smart TVs and cameras. However, this decline was largely offset by the growth in its high-performance computing (HPC) unit, which serves as a key driver for AI applications.
Key Clients and Industry Trends
TSMC’s major clients include tech giants such as Apple Inc. and NVIDIA Corporation, with the latter being a major buyer of AI chips. The company's robust earnings come amid a broader industry shift, highlighted by a weaker outlook from semiconductor equipment maker ASML, which cited slowing demand in non-AI sectors.
TSMC continues to play a pivotal role in the global chip supply chain, benefiting significantly from the ongoing AI boom.
