Semiconductor Weekly

SIA: Global Chip Sales Top $400 Billion in Q2, AI Ignites a Super Cycle

On August 6, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported that global semiconductor sales reached $403.3 billion in Q2 2026, up 35.1% quarter-over-quarter. June alone saw $134.5 billion in sales — a 123.6% year-over-year surge, marking the 15th consecutive month of record highs. The SIA CEO projects full-year 2026 revenue could exceed $1.5 trillion.

South Korea's July Semiconductor Exports Surge 178.8% to $41 Billion

South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy reported on August 1 that semiconductor exports in July jumped 178.8% year-over-year to $41 billion, marking the second consecutive month above $40 billion, driving overall export growth and supporting the nation's trade surplus.

Chip Stocks Shed $1.3 Trillion in Market Cap in a Week, but AI Demand Remains Unshaken

According to foreign media reports, the world's leading semiconductor companies collectively lost more than $1.3 trillion in market capitalization over several trading days: NVIDIA shed approximately $238 billion, SK Hynix $176 billion, Samsung $173 billion, TSMC $119 billion, and Micron $113 billion. Yet AI chip demand has not weakened — investors are simply beginning to question whether massive capital expenditures will generate adequate returns.

TSMC's 3nm Monthly Capacity Target of 180,000 Wafers Moved Up to Early Q4

Driven by strong demand from AI chip giants such as NVIDIA, AMD, and Broadcom, TSMC's original year-end target of 180,000 wafers per month for 3nm is now expected to be achieved by early Q4. The 2nm process is also accelerating, with monthly capacity set to reach 80,000 wafers in early Q4, steadily advancing toward the year-end goal of 100,000 wafers.

Severe DRAM Shortage Said to Hold Up $1 Billion Worth of Apple Chips at TSMC

Market sources indicate that a DRAM shortage is preventing TSMC from completing packaging for $1 billion worth of processors produced for Apple. While wafer manufacturing for the iPhone 18 Pro series A20 Pro chips has gone smoothly, tight DRAM supply for packaging has left large quantities of chips sitting in inventory awaiting assembly.

TSMC's Kumamoto Plant Resumes Production After Rapid Recovery from 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake

TSMC's Kumamoto Plant 1 suspended operations after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake on July 28, but fully resumed production on August 3. Other local semiconductor companies, including Tokyo Electron, Sony Semiconductor, and Renesas Electronics, have also gradually resumed operations. Industry analysts attribute the relatively swift recovery to lessons learned from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake and enhanced seismic reinforcement measures.

JPMorgan: AI Cycle Fundamentals Unchanged; Semiconductor Equipment and Advanced Packaging Offer the Most Potential

According to JPMorgan's latest research report, Asian tech stocks and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index have recently corrected by 25%-30%, but this does not signal the end of the AI investment cycle. No significant signs of fundamental weakness are expected in the next 6-12 months. Semiconductor equipment makers are best positioned for the next 12 months, while advanced packaging and testing segments are poised for rapid growth.

Global Semiconductor Capex Enters an "Arms Race" — Micron Raises Spending to $27 Billion

AI is driving global semiconductor capital expenditure into a new round of expansion. Micron raised its FY2026 capex from $18 billion to over $27 billion. TSMC's annual budget stands at $60-64 billion (70%-80% directed at advanced processes). SMIC maintains approximately $8.1 billion, while Changxin Memory Technologies plans to invest RMB 29.5 billion to advance DRAM mass production.

South Korea's July Semiconductor Exports Soar 178.8% + IC Protection Regulation Revised; Semiconductor Materials Sector Strengthens

On August 5, the STAR Composite Index surged 4.87%, with semiconductor materials stocks gaining momentum. Key catalysts include: the revised "Regulations on the Protection of Integrated Circuit Layout Designs" promulgated and taking effect on October 15, and South Korea's July semiconductor exports skyrocketing 178.8% year-over-year to $41 billion.