Investors are bracing for the results from Taiwan's TSMC on Thursday to show further evidence of the wide-ranging uncertainty in the chip industry spurred by U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM -3.59%) stock got hit with significant sell-offs in Wednesday's trading. The semiconductor foundry leader's share price closed out the day down 3.6% after having been off as much as 5.6% in the session.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM -3.59%), popularly known as TSMC, is the world's largest semiconductor foundry, which fabricates chips for the top consumer electronics companies and chip designers across the globe. That explains why it has been growing at an impressive pace over the past couple of years.
TSMC is a crucial player in the artificial-intelligence chip market, which has been upended by tariff turmoil.
Robust AI chip demand is likely to have driven TSM's Q1 revenue growth, while rising operational costs could have weighed on earnings growth.
Taiwan Semiconductor faces high stakes amid the US-China trade war. TSM needs to localize more American semiconductor manufacturing quickly to assuage President Trump. TSMC's dominant position suggests even if chips tariffs were to hit later, it should strengthen its ability to pass on the costs to its customers.
Taiwan Semiconductor's shares have dropped 21% YTD, but I'm still bullish due to robust AI chip demand and strong growth prospects. TSMC's U.S. manufacturing strategy, bolstered by the CHIPS Act, reduces geopolitical risks and enhances operational stability, driving future growth. TSMC's Arizona fab outperforms Taiwanese counterparts, attracting major customers like Nvidia and AMD, and potentially increasing the stock's P/E multiple.
Responsible for 50% of the world's semiconductor chip components, Wall Street will be paying close attention to Taiwan Semiconductor's (TSM) Q1 results on Thursday, April 17.
Strengths in AI-driven technologies are likely to have aided TSM's Q1 top line. However, rising operational costs may have hurt bottom-line growth.
TSMC's 14% price drop since my last analysis offers deep value amid strong Q1 growth, resilient margins, and AI-led demand. U.S.-led trade realignment favors TSMC as China share declines; geopolitical shifts may further concentrate growth in allied markets. Stock trades at 22.3x non-GAAP P/E vs. a 5-year average of 34; with $9.50 EPS forecast, a 25x multiple implies ~50% 12-month upside.
TSM's recent stock price correction offers a rare buying opportunity, with robust long-term growth prospects driven by AI/data center demand and strategic global expansion. Despite market headwinds and the ongoing tariff war, its rich financial performance and promising consensus forward estimates underscore its resilience. While there are near-term risks surrounding the potential moderation in hyperscalers' capex plans, TSM's long-term prospects remain robust as the foundry market leader.
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