Global Market: TSMC third-quarter revenue jumps 50% as AI chip demand surges

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, reported record third-quarter revenue on Thursday, beating market expectations as strong demand for artificial intelligence applications continued to drive growth across the semiconductor industry.

Revenue for the July-September quarter rose 50% year-on-year to T$1.49 trillion ($46.71 billion), according to Reuters calculations. The result exceeded the T$1.46 trillion forecast from an LSEG SmartEstimate based on estimates from 19 analysts.

Read more: Global Market Today: Asian stocks drop on inflation concerns, oil gains


TSMC had forecast third-quarter revenue of between $44.6 billion and $45.8 billion at its July earnings call. The company provides its revenue guidance in U.S. dollars rather than Taiwan dollars.

September revenue alone increased 54.6% from a year earlier to T$511.86 billion, underscoring the strength of demand for advanced chips used in AI-related applications.

TSMC is a key supplier to major technology companies including Nvidia and Apple, and has emerged as one of the biggest beneficiaries of the global investment boom in AI infrastructure. The company's latest revenue figures come as chipmakers across the region see accelerating demand for high-performance computing and memory products.

Read more: US stocks: US market ends lower, off record highs, as Treasury yields climb

Samsung Electronics earlier on Thursday also pointed to the strength of the AI-driven semiconductor cycle, forecasting quarterly operating profit of more than 100 trillion won for the first time. Samsung estimated that third-quarter operating profit would rise nearly nine-fold from a year earlier, helped by strong memory-chip demand.

TSMC, Asia's most valuable listed company with a market capitalisation of about $2.1 trillion, did not provide detailed commentary or forward guidance in its brief monthly revenue statement.

The company is scheduled to report its full third-quarter earnings next Thursday, when investors will get a detailed update on its outlook for the current quarter, AI-related demand and capital expenditure plans for the remainder of the year.

TSMC is expected to report third-quarter net profit of T$740.8 billion, representing a 64% increase from a year earlier, according to an LSEG SmartEstimate.

TSMC shares listed in Taipei closed 1.35% lower on Thursday ahead of the revenue announcement, while the broader market declined 1%. Despite the day's weakness, the stock has gained 64.52% so far this year, broadly in line with the wider market.

(Disclaimer: This article is based on inputs from agencies. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)