All articles tagged with #chipmaking
The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple and Intel have reached a preliminary agreement to collaborate on manufacturing chips, signaling a potential shift in Apple’s supply chain and leveraging Intel’s fabrication capabilities. Details such as which products would be produced, timelines, and financial terms are not disclosed, and the deal is described as not yet final.
Intel shares jumped about 14% to around $109, reaching a fresh high after a report on Apple’s chipmaking plans boosted sentiment for the semiconductor sector.
Elon Musk aims to build a large US-based Terafab to design and manufacture logic and memory chips for Tesla's robotaxis and Optimus, initially aiming for about 100,000 wafers per month and potentially up to 1 million, to reduce reliance on external suppliers and shield against geopolitics. Analysts warn the project is extraordinarily complex, expensive, and years-long, requiring scarce lithography equipment, highly skilled workers, and substantial funding—potentially $30–$45 billion.
TSMC posted a record Q4 with net income of NT$505.7 billion (~$16 billion) and revenue of $33.7 billion, and CEO C.C. Wei said AI chip demand will persist for years. The company projects about 30% revenue growth in 2026 and plans $52–$56 billion in capital expenditure, backed by checks with cloud providers confirming real demand amid AI-market chatter. The results underscore TSMC’s central role in the AI chip supply chain and come as US-Taiwan trade ties push expansion, including Arizona fabs.
TSMC plans to speed up moving its advanced chipmaking expertise to the US—expanding its Arizona footprint while keeping the most cutting-edge processes in Taiwan. Even with faster transfers, the newest tech would still be moved abroad only after stabilization and would take at least a year. The company is pursuing a record capex this year (over $52 billion) and about $165 billion to build US capacity, with mass production at its second Arizona fab expected in 2027; North American customers now account for roughly 75% of revenue.
Stocks began 2026 with a focus on AI and chipmaking, driven by strong performances in Asian markets and tech giants like Samsung and TSMC, despite historical tendencies for early-year declines; optimism remains about the year's potential, supported by last year's gains and ongoing technological investments.
The US has granted annual licenses to Samsung and SK Hynix to import chip manufacturing equipment to China for 2026, providing temporary relief amid ongoing export restrictions, with the move marking a shift to an annual approval system for such exports.
Amazon is restructuring its AI division, including the departure of its AI chief, to focus on advancing its chips and large language models amid competitive pressures, with new leadership and strategic investments in AI technology.
Substrate, a US startup, claims to have developed a new chipmaking tool using X-ray lithography that can rival ASML's advanced EUV equipment, aiming to reduce costs and boost US competitiveness in semiconductor manufacturing, with potential national security implications.
Intel's Q3 2025 earnings exceeded expectations, driven by strong execution and AI demand, with the company strengthening its strategic partnership with the U.S. government, which now owns a 9.9% stake and has provided significant funding, signaling a shift from subsidies to a deeper industrial and national security alliance.
Intel's stock surged 23% after Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel and a partnership to develop custom AI and data center products, marking a significant move in the chip industry and boosting Intel's market value and position in AI technology.
The CFO of a company revealed that a deal between Trump and Intel was specifically designed to prevent the sale of a chipmaking unit, highlighting strategic corporate and political considerations.
U.S. President Donald Trump demanded Intel's CEO Lip-Bu Tan resign due to his investments in Chinese firms linked to the military, raising concerns about conflicts of interest amid efforts to bolster U.S. domestic chip manufacturing. The call for resignation has impacted Intel's stock and sparked debate over presidential influence in corporate leadership.
SoftBank's $6.5 billion acquisition of Ampere Computing is under investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission, which could delay or block the deal amid broader concerns over antitrust issues and SoftBank's existing technology holdings in AI and chipmaking.
Intel is shutting down its automotive chipmaking division, planning to lay off most employees and shift focus to its core client and data center businesses, despite previous investments and developments in automotive technology including Mobileye and AI-enhanced chips.