News Archive

China's SMIC Lifts Prices as AI Demand Tightens Mature-Node Capacity

Semiconductor Manufacturing International shares climb on stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings and price increases, lifting the broader Asian chipmaking complex as AI-driven order books absorb legacy foundry supply.

SMIC posted robust second-quarter results and is raising prices amid surging AI-linked demand, a signal that pricing power is spreading beyond leading-edge logic into mature-node foundry capacity. Chip peers traded higher in sympathy, while a separate LG–Nvidia robotics and AI-factory partnership underscored the widening industrial reach of the AI capex cycle.

AI Capex Complex Splinters: Nebius Cut, CoreWeave Scrutiny Test the Neocloud Trade

DA Davidson slashes Nebius target 30% on Vineland data center delays threatening 2026 guidance, while Jefferies flags founder selling — not profitability — as CoreWeave's next catalyst, even as NVIDIA's $500B financing framework anchors TSMC demand.

Execution risk is replacing narrative momentum in the AI infrastructure buildout. Nebius faces a 30% target cut tied to Vineland construction slippage, CoreWeave's post-earnings debate has shifted to insider supply, and analysts are recalibrating semiconductor demand around NVIDIA's $500 billion financing arrangement. Valuation discipline is re-entering the conversation, with sell-side notes arguing Nvidia is 'not cheap enough, yet.'

AI Capital Cycle Widens: Meta Resets Roadmap as Intel Taps Market for $15 Billion

Semiconductor and memory complex catches a bid after TSMC posts 45% revenue surge, while Intel's equity raise signals the scale of capital required to compete in AI silicon.

The AI investment cycle broadened on multiple fronts: Meta outlined a revised AI strategy, Intel moved to raise $15 billion in equity, and chip equipment names rallied on a 45% revenue surge at Taiwan Semiconductor. Storage and memory plays including Seagate and SanDisk drew fresh attention as AI-driven pricing tightens.

Sony and TSMC plan $6.3bn Japan joint venture for image sensors, Nikkei reports

The two chipmakers are reported to be preparing a joint venture to manufacture image sensors in Japan, a deal valued at about $6.3 billion.

Sony and TSMC plan $6.3 billion joint image sensor production, Nikkei reports

Sony and TSMC will jointly invest about $6.3 billion to manufacture image sensors, according to a Nikkei report, deepening a partnership between the world's largest image sensor supplier and the largest contract chipmaker.