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TSMC AI‑driven Capex Surge Triggers Global Semiconductor Market Sell‑off
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) posted a record second‑quarter profit, up 77 % year‑over‑year to NT$706.6 billion, and revenue of NT$1.27 trillion, driven by a 33 % jump in sales. The company raised its 2026 capital‑expenditure target to $60‑$64 billion, up from the prior $52‑$56 billion, and announced an additional $100 billion investment in Arizona, lifting its total U.S. commitment to $265 billion. TSMC’s strong earnings and the higher capex outlook sparked concerns that AI‑related spending may be over‑valued. Investors sold off semiconductor‑heavy equities worldwide. In the United States, the S&P 500 fell about 0.5 %, the Nasdaq slipped 1.5 % and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index dropped more than 4 % on the day. Leveraged semiconductor ETFs such as SOXL fell double‑digits. Asian markets mirrored the sell‑off: Japan’s Nikkei lost 4 % and the Taiwan‑weighted Taiex plunged 6.5 %, while China’s Shanghai Composite fell 3 % and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng slipped 1.8 %. European indices were mixed, but chip‑related stocks in Frankfurt, Paris and Milan also saw declines. Analysts cited “AI‑bubble” fears and the high cost of expanding chip‑making capacity as the main drivers of the market weakness. The episode highlights how the AI megatrend and TSMC’s massive capex plan are reshaping investor sentiment across the global semiconductor sector.