Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM) shares climbed Tuesday after reports emerged that the world's leading chipmaker plans to boost prices for its high-end chips, apparently unfazed by military drills China was conducting just offshore.
According to local media reports cited by the Taipei Times, Taiwan Semiconductor will lift prices for advanced chips beginning next year as global supply remains tight. It's the kind of move that suggests the company sees continued strong demand for its cutting-edge technology, even as it navigates some serious external challenges.
Kerry Huang, an analyst at Concord Securities, noted that potential price increases could support robust sales growth extending into 2026. That makes the company's upcoming guidance particularly important for investors trying to gauge where things are headed.
Military Drills Don't Faze the Market
You might think news of Chinese military exercises would spook investors, but apparently not this time. China's "Justice Mission 2025" drills involved army, naval, air force, and artillery units operating around Taiwan, prompting Taiwanese forces to go on alert and the government to criticize Beijing's actions.
Yet investor sentiment stayed positive, buoyed by ample market liquidity. Huang even suggested Taiwan's TAIEX index could test the 29,000 level by year-end, reflecting confidence that geopolitical tensions won't derail the market's momentum.
Earthquake Adds Another Layer of Uncertainty
If military drills weren't enough, Taiwan Semiconductor is also dealing with the aftermath of a magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck off northeastern Taiwan late on December 27. The quake raised immediate concerns about potential production disruptions at the company's critical manufacturing facilities.
Parts of the Hsinchu Science Park facilities reached evacuation thresholds during the tremor. While there was no structural damage, sensitive equipment—including the ultra-expensive EUV lithography systems that make advanced chips possible—automatically shut down as a safety precaution.
The shutdown means Taiwan Semiconductor may need to scrap or re-inspect wafers that were mid-process when the earthquake hit. Analysts are estimating potential losses of around 100 million New Taiwanese dollars, though that's relatively modest in the context of the company's overall operations.
What Comes Next
All eyes are now on Taiwan Semiconductor's January 15 earnings briefing, where management is expected to provide updated guidance on both the earthquake impact and the broader business outlook, including any details about the planned price increases.
For context on how well the stock has been doing: Taiwan Semiconductor shares have surged over 52% year-to-date, outpacing the PHLX Semiconductor index's 44% gain over the same period. That performance reflects the company's dominant position in advanced chip manufacturing and the insatiable demand for its products.
TSM Price Action: Taiwan Semiconductor shares traded up 0.31% at $301.86 during premarket trading on Tuesday.