TSMC's blockbuster quarter contradicts the AI bears' narrative. Revenue grew 36% and EPS 77.4%, with EPS of $4.31 versus $3.77 expected and revenue of $40.2B versus $39.7B. Capex also came in higher than expected at $15B versus $11B. x.comÂ
Simplifying Stocks, CPA
CPA, Creator of FinFluential Television
TSMC's AI-chip foundry role is translating into another record quarter of profit. Third-quarter revenue reached NT$1.49 trillion, up 51% year over year, and net income NT$763 billion, up 69%, its sixth straight record-profit quarter; the attached results show a 51.1% net margin and a 2.2% beat against the cited consensus. This strengthens the existing bullish view that AI chip demand runs through TSMC. x.com x.comÂ
TSMC's growth looks compelling against its valuation. Diluted GAAP EPS rose about 70% year over year and US-dollar revenue 41%; at roughly 22 times annualized earnings, guidance implies accelerating growth. TSMC expects continued demand for leading-edge processes, including its 2-nanometer ramp. x.comÂ
TSMC's shifting cost structure is pressuring gross margin despite revenue and EPS beats. TSMC reported Q3 gross margin of 66.4%, down from 67.7% in Q2, and another decline is guided next quarter; Arizona is expected to drag gross margin by 2-4%. TSMC is checking AI data-center progress as it plans wafer capacity, while reiterating long-term AI demand strength. Price hikes may be next, given management's commitment to protect shareholder interests. x.com x.comÂ
TSMC's record quarter shows chip demand is accelerating, not peaking. Q3 revenue was about $46.7 billion (NT$1.49 trillion), up 51% year over year and above both the top of TSMC's guidance and Street estimates of NT$1.46 trillion. Quarterly revenue is up about 2.4x in three years. Despite bubble fears, the AI buildout still looks early and TSMC can go much higher than people realize. x.comÂ
TSMC's AI-era growth opportunity makes it an incredibly bullish investment. CEO C.C. Wei said its annualized growth opportunity is probably higher than a high-50% CAGR. x.comÂ
TSMC may lose pricing power as performance gains shift from shrinking transistors to stacking, interconnects and optics, while logic folding could make older processes competitive. Despite strong leading-edge demand, investors may overestimate the profit share its node leadership can retain. Its cautious expansion and past reluctance toward advanced packaging suggest a risk-averse culture that protects returns but could leave it late to disruptive technologies and key customers. x.comÂ
TSMC's earnings set the stage for a strong reporting season. Hold the line on TSMC despite its shares being caught in SOXX's algorithmic sell-off; StockMKTNewz reported that TSMC beat quarterly revenue and EPS estimates. x.comÂ
TSMC's latest results point to AI chip demand still running ahead of supply, supporting the semiconductor and equipment trade. Cantor says TSMC raised its 2026 revenue outlook again, guided December-quarter sales above consensus and held 65-67% gross-margin guidance through the N2 ramp; its bullish sector read names Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, ASML, Applied Materials, Lam Research and KLA. Jensen Huang says AI labs need not reach trillions in revenue to justify the buildout. x.com x.comÂ
TSMC looks like it has put in a blowoff top, rising even on an announcement that it cannot afford new ASML equipment. x.comÂ
TSMC, the global AI weapons dealer, could be a $500 stock by January 2028 with some peace in the Middle East, as AI demand is "extremely robust." Q1 net income rose 58% to NT$572.5 billion, beating estimates, with gross margin at 66.2%. Q2 revenue guidance of $39.0-40.2 billion would be its strongest quarter ever, and full-year growth is now seen above 30% in USD. Headwinds include 2nm and overseas fab margin dilution and rising Middle East-linked chemical and gas costs. x.com x.comÂ