TSMC Q2 2025 Earnings Call: AI Demand Drives Growth, N2 Development on Track
Earnings Call
07/17
【Earnings Highlights and Outlook】 - Q2 2025 revenue reached $30.1 billion, up 17.8% sequentially, exceeding guidance due to strong AI and HPC-related demand. - Full-year 2025 revenue growth forecast raised to about 30% year-over-year in USD terms. - Q3 2025 revenue guidance: $31.8-33 billion, representing 38% year-over-year growth at midpoint. - 2025 capital expenditure maintained at $38-42 billion.
【Q&A Highlights】
Q1: How is the demand outlook for data center AI and advanced packaging? - AI momentum remains strong and healthy. - TSMC is working to narrow the gap between demand and supply for advanced packaging capacity. - Multiple new facilities are being built to increase AI and CoWoS capacity.
Q2: What is the status of N2 development and its profitability compared to N3? - N2 development is on track for volume production in H2 2025. - N2 profitability is expected to be better than N3. - N2 is projected to reach corporate average profitability faster than N3 did.
Q3: How is TSMC addressing the foreign exchange impact on gross margins? - TSMC focuses on six factors determining profitability, with foreign exchange being one. - The company aims to leverage other factors like technology leadership and cost reduction to manage through unfavorable exchange rates. - Long-term gross margin target of 53%+ remains achievable.
Q4: What is the capacity expansion plan for leading-edge nodes? - TSMC is building multiple fabs in Taiwan and overseas to support strong AI-related demand. - The company is working to narrow the gap between demand and supply, particularly for 3nm and 2nm nodes. - Capacity for 5nm is also tight due to ongoing demand from AI products.
Q5: How is TSMC approaching advanced packaging development? - TSMC is developing various advanced packaging technologies based on customer demands. - These include system integration, CoWoS, and other solutions aligned with advanced node development. - The company prioritizes working closely with customers to meet their specific needs.
Q6: What is TSMC's strategy for mature nodes given industry overcapacity? - TSMC focuses on developing specialty technologies for mature nodes, such as RF, high voltage, and CIS. - The company builds capacity based on customer demand, not general market conditions. - New fabs in Japan and Germany are for specialty technologies, indicating continued demand.
Q7: How does TSMC view the potential of humanoid robots as a future driver? - It's still early to determine the impact of humanoid robots on semiconductor demand. - Initial applications are expected in the medical industry for elderly care. - The complexity of humanoid robots requires advanced sensors and CPUs, presenting future opportunities.
Q8: Are customers trying to pull in demand ahead of potential price increases in 2026? - No significant changes in customer behavior observed so far. - Long lead times (e.g., 4 months for 3nm) and tight capacity make it difficult for customers to pull in demand.
Q9: What is TSMC's expectation for capital intensity given the strong N2 demand? - TSMC doesn't set capital intensity as a goal but invests based on future growth opportunities. - The company expects revenue growth to outpace capital expenditure growth, potentially leading to lower capital intensity.
Q10: How is AI adoption progressing for the most advanced nodes? - AI customers are moving faster to adopt the latest nodes due to performance and power efficiency demands. - N2 and A16 offer significant power efficiency improvements, which are crucial for AI data centers. - TSMC's advanced nodes, including A16, are well-positioned to meet the increasing power efficiency requirements of AI applications.
Disclaimer: This earnings call summary is generated by AI and is for informational purposes only. Due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may exist. It does not constitute investment advice or commitments.