GlobalFoundries $GFS, a leading semiconductor manufacturer headquartered in Malta, New York, declared on Wednesday a substantial increase in its investment plans to $16 billion. This capital allocation includes an additional $1 billion in capital expenditures and $3 billion devoted specifically to research and development (R&D) targeting several advanced chip manufacturing technologies.
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) $0981.HK has once again cemented its reputation as China's leading chip manufacturer, posting remarkable financial results for the first quarter. Surging revenue and profits—more than doubling year-over-year—spotlight the company's expanding influence, largely fueled by a rush of U.S. orders as American clients scramble to preempt possible tariff increases.
Samsung Electronics $005930.KS, a dominant force in the global tech industry, has revised its outlook for the current quarter amid mounting external pressures. Despite a modest increase in operating profit in Q1 2025, the South Korean tech giant warned of growing risks linked to U.S. trade policies. These factors may weigh heavily not only on Samsung’s internal performance but also on global supply chain dynamics.
In recent months, the global semiconductor market has experienced dynamic changes driven not only by the rapid development of artificial intelligence but also by fundamental geopolitical and economic factors. Recently, AMD's CEO, Lisa Su, confirmed that the company is set to intensify its microchip production at TSMC's manufacturing facility, one of the world’s leading contract chip producers. Her announcement during a visit to the National Taiwan University in Taipei signals a strategic shift towards increasing server production that integrates cutting-edge AI technologies—a move that could significantly reshape the competitive landscape.
The planned merger between United Microelectronics, one of Taiwan’s leading semiconductor manufacturers, and GlobalFoundries, a major US-based company, is creating quite a buzz in the high-tech world. According to two sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters, the combined entity is set to become a global powerhouse with production facilities spanning Asia, the US, and Europe. This potential merger comes at a time when the United States is eager to secure its semiconductor supply chain amid rising geopolitical tensions around the Taiwan Strait and intensifying competition from China in the mature chip market.
Recent news reports indicate that the Malaysian company SkyeChip Sdn is contemplating an initial public offering (IPO) as early as the second half of this year. This potential move highlights the country’s ambition to foster its own semiconductor industry. Founded in 2019, SkyeChip is focused on developing semiconductor technologies. The company aims to achieve a valuation exceeding 1 billion ringgit (approximately 226 million USD) during its IPO.
Recent news about Intel $INTC, the largest chip manufacturer, has garnered significant attention once again. The company announced a delay in the opening of its much-publicized semiconductor plant in Ohio, marking another setback in its ambitious expansion plans. This postponement highlights the challenges Intel faces in the current market.
