Despite the hurdles, TSMC remains positive about the future as the demand for AI applications rises steadily.
Leading global contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) is anticipated to announce a 27% drop in net profit for the second quarter as global economic challenges continue to impact the demand for semiconductors. Despite this, analysts remain optimistic about the company’s future performance, expecting an improvement in the current quarter.
According to a Reuters poll of 21 analysts, TSMC is projected to report a net profit of T$172.53 billion ($5.58 billion) for the April-June period, down from T$237.0 billion recorded in the same period last year. This anticipated decline can be attributed to several factors, including the exceptional performance TSMC had experienced in the previous year, driven by strong post-pandemic demand.
TSMC Could Report Positive Financial Earnings in Q3
Analysts at Fubon Investment in Taiwan believe that the second quarter represents the low point of the current downcycle. While the market professionals expect an improvement in the third quarter, it is likely to be weaker than usual due to ongoing inventory build-ups that are still being addressed within the industry.
Despite these challenges, industry experts remain optimistic about TSMC’s future prospects. The company, which serves as a major supplier to the iPhone maker Apple and Nvidia, a full-stack computing firm, anticipates a rebound in profitability, particularly driven by the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications and the upcoming release of the new iPhone 15 ahead of the year-end holiday shopping season.
Unlike the electric vehicle (EV) market, where TSMC has had limited exposure, the increasing demand for AI presents a promising opportunity for the Taiwanese chipmaker. Taiwan’s comprehensive AI supply chain positions the country to benefit significantly from the continued growth in this sector.
The second quarter is traditionally a slow period for many companies in the tech industry, with sales typically picking up in the third quarter and leading into the year-end shopping season. TSMC, being Asia’s most valuable listed company, experienced a surprise rise in net profit in the first quarter of this year. However, this growth was the smallest since mid-2019, primarily due to global economic challenges affecting chip demand.
TSMC Remains Bullish on Its Future Performance
Despite the hurdles, TSMC remains positive about the future as the demand for AI applications rises steadily. The optimistic outlook has boosted the company’s stock performance, with its shares on the Taipei-listed stock exchange surging by almost 30% year-to-date, outperforming the broader market.
TSMC is scheduled to provide guidance for the third quarter and update previous forecasts during its earnings call on Thursday at 06:00 GMT. In the second quarter, the company recorded revenue of T$480.8 billion ($15.53 billion), within the April forecast range of $15.2 billion to $16 billion. As Coinspeaker previously reported, the impressive financial report was driven by an increase in AI tools and applications. The latest figure compares to the revenue of $18.16 billion achieved in the same period last year.
As TSMC navigates the evolving semiconductor landscape, industry stakeholders eagerly await the company’s financial updates and future projections, hoping for a more favorable business environment in the coming months.
Chimamanda is a crypto enthusiast and experienced writer focusing on the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies. She joined the industry in 2019 and has since developed an interest in the emerging economy. She combines her passion for blockchain technology with her love for travel and food, bringing a fresh and engaging perspective to her work.
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