Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) / Equity Bottom-Up

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC)

<ul>
<li>Revenue in 3Q25 was 7.8% higher than in 2Q25, in line with stronger seasonal demand. GM: 22.0% in 3Q25, compared with 20.4% in 2Q25 and 20.5% in 3Q24.</li>
<li>The Company expects: Revenue Flat to up 2% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ). Gross Margin: Between 18% and 20%.</li>
<li>SMIC’s stock price has risen 160.7% year-to-date in 2025, outperforming <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8587:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)</a> at 44.2% and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectron-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11540:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US)</a> at 10.8%.</li>
</ul>


Revenue in 3Q25 was 7.8% higher than in 2Q25, in line with stronger seasonal demand. GM: 22.0% in 3Q25, compared with 20.4% in 2Q25 and 20.5% in 3Q24.
The Company expects: Revenue Flat to up 2% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ). Gross Margin: Between 18% and 20%.
SMIC’s stock price has risen 160.7% year-to-date in 2025, outperforming Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US) at 44.2% and United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US) at 10.8%.


SMIC (981.HK): Although GM May Decline Slightly, Revenue Is Expected to Continue Growing in 4Q25.

Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Zero One

Founded in 2015, Zero One produces independent investment research and provides corporate finance advisory services with a focus on both listed and private technology companies. Founder Vincent Fernando has over 20 years of experience in US and Asia capital markets.

Independent Investment Research

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR

<ul>
<li>Nvidia Pushes TSMC for More Capacity as AI Chip Demand Surges</li>
<li>Apple Expands Its Satellite Ambitions for iPhones Beyond Just Emergencies -- A Step Towards Disintermediating Telcos?</li>
<li>Nvidia’s International HQ in Taipei Deal Clears Final Hurdle -- Boost for Taiwan 2026E-2027E</li>
</ul>


Nvidia Pushes TSMC for More Capacity as AI Chip Demand Surges
Apple Expands Its Satellite Ambitions for iPhones Beyond Just Emergencies -- A Step Towards Disintermediating Telcos?
Nvidia’s International HQ in Taipei Deal Clears Final Hurdle -- Boost for Taiwan 2026E-2027E


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Nvidia Asking TSMC for More Capacity; Apple to Disintermediate Telcos?

Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing)

<ul>
<li>TSMC and UMC 3Q revenues are slightly above Guidance / Consensus. In US$, TSMC revenues growing at 40% YoY. Legacy Fab UMC growing at 4%. </li>
<li>This will continue, even if AI / HPC growth is slowing into 2026, the gap will remain wide between AI / HPC (say 35% growth) and Legacy (5%). </li>
<li>Ongoing concerns of AI investment bubble reflect “a lack of imagination” (Lisa Su). Stick with the category winners Nvidia - SK Hynix - TSMC , followed by AMD - Micron.</li>
</ul>


TSMC and UMC 3Q revenues are slightly above Guidance / Consensus. In US$, TSMC revenues growing at 40% YoY. Legacy Fab UMC growing at 4%. 
This will continue, even if AI / HPC growth is slowing into 2026, the gap will remain wide between AI / HPC (say 35% growth) and Legacy (5%). 
Ongoing concerns of AI investment bubble reflect “a lack of imagination” (Lisa Su). Stick with the category winners Nvidia - SK Hynix - TSMC , followed by AMD - Micron.


Semi Revenues Divergence Continues. AI, HPC Growing at ~45%, Everything Legacy in the Slumps.

<ul>
<li>US Government invests $9bn in Intel, Nvidia another $5bn, Softbank $2bn. This solves Intel’s most pressing problem: the risk of financial fragility</li>
<li>But neither USG, nor Nvidia have semi manufacturing expertise, so $-injections don’t solve Intel’s 2nd problem. Intel has to  demonstrate a very solid 14A in the next 12 months</li>
<li>USG 1:1 import: domestic rule is positive to GlobalFoundries that can get orders away from SMIC or UMC. Positive to Texas Instrument</li>
</ul>


US Government invests $9bn in Intel, Nvidia another $5bn, Softbank $2bn. This solves Intel’s most pressing problem: the risk of financial fragility
But neither USG, nor Nvidia have semi manufacturing expertise, so $-injections don’t solve Intel’s 2nd problem. Intel has to  demonstrate a very solid 14A in the next 12 months
USG 1:1 import: domestic rule is positive to GlobalFoundries that can get orders away from SMIC or UMC. Positive to Texas Instrument


Intel: Money Only Solves Half the Problem. The 1:1 Domestic-To-Import Ratio Not a Clear Positive

<ul>
<li>Why does <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel Corp (INTC US)</a>’s current CFO state “Intel will use TSMC basically forever”? </li>
<li>From <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8587:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)</a>’s perspective, they have always maintained a “no competition with customers” principle.  </li>
<li>Another question remains: who will adopt Intel’s 14A technology in 2027-28?  </li>
</ul>


Why does Intel Corp (INTC US)’s current CFO state “Intel will use TSMC basically forever”? 
From Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)’s perspective, they have always maintained a “no competition with customers” principle.  
Another question remains: who will adopt Intel’s 14A technology in 2027-28?  


Intel (INTC.US): Who Will Adopt Intel’s 14A Technology?

United States

GLOBALFOUNDRIES Inc. operates as a semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company. The Company offers chips designed for markets such as mobility, automotive, computing and wired connectivity, and consumer internet of things (IoT). GLOBALFOUNDRIES serves customers worldwide.

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GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GFS US)

SMIC (981.HK): Although GM May Decline Slightly, Revenue Is Expected to Continue Growing in 4Q25.

SMIC's 3Q25 revenue up 7.8% from 2Q25, GM at 22.0%. Expects flat to 2% revenue growth QoQ, GM between 18% and 20%. Stock price up 160.7% YTD,...

Patrick Liao

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Nvidia Asking TSMC for More Capacity; Apple to Disintermediate Telcos?

Nvidia and Apple are both making strategic moves to secure more capacity and expand their reach in the tech industry, potentially disrupting...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Semi Revenues Divergence Continues. AI, HPC Growing at ~45%, Everything Legacy in the Slumps.

TSMC and UMC beat revenue expectations in 3Q, with TSMC growing at 40% YoY. The gap between AI/HPC and Legacy Fab growth is expected to widen,...

Nicolas Baratte

Intel: Money Only Solves Half the Problem. The 1:1 Domestic-To-Import Ratio Not a Clear Positive

USG, Nvidia, and Softbank invest billions in Intel to address financial fragility, but Intel must still demonstrate solid 14A in next 12 months....

Nicolas Baratte

Intel (INTC.US): Who Will Adopt Intel’s 14A Technology?

Intel's CFO plans to use TSMC long-term, as TSMC avoids competition with customers. The future adoption of Intel's 14A technology is uncertain.

Patrick Liao

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SMIC (981.HK): Although GM May Decline Slightly, Revenue Is Expected to Continue Growing in 4Q25.

​SMIC's 3Q25 revenue up 7.8% from 2Q25, GM at 22.0%. Expects flat to 2% revenue growth QoQ, GM between 18% and 20%. Stock price up 160.7% YTD,...

Patrick Liao

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Nvidia Asking TSMC for More Capacity; Apple to Disintermediate Telcos?

​Nvidia and Apple are both making strategic moves to secure more capacity and expand their reach in the tech industry, potentially disrupting...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Semi Revenues Divergence Continues. AI, HPC Growing at ~45%, Everything Legacy in the Slumps.

​TSMC and UMC beat revenue expectations in 3Q, with TSMC growing at 40% YoY. The gap between AI/HPC and Legacy Fab growth is expected to widen,...

Nicolas Baratte

Intel: Money Only Solves Half the Problem. The 1:1 Domestic-To-Import Ratio Not a Clear Positive

​USG, Nvidia, and Softbank invest billions in Intel to address financial fragility, but Intel must still demonstrate solid 14A in next 12 months....

Nicolas Baratte

Intel (INTC.US): Who Will Adopt Intel’s 14A Technology?

​Intel's CFO plans to use TSMC long-term, as TSMC avoids competition with customers. The future adoption of Intel's 14A technology is uncertain.

Patrick Liao

SMIC's 3Q25 revenue up 7.8% from 2Q25, GM at 22.0%. Expects flat to 2% revenue growth QoQ, GM between 18% and 20%. Stock price up 160.7% YTD,...

Nvidia and Apple are both making strategic moves to secure more capacity and expand their reach in the tech industry, potentially disrupting...

TSMC and UMC beat revenue expectations in 3Q, with TSMC growing at 40% YoY. The gap between AI/HPC and Legacy Fab growth is expected to widen,...

USG, Nvidia, and Softbank invest billions in Intel to address financial fragility, but Intel must still demonstrate solid 14A in next 12 months....

Intel's CFO plans to use TSMC long-term, as TSMC avoids competition with customers. The future adoption of Intel's 14A technology is uncertain.