Semiconductors & AI Chips Weekly Briefing

January 16, 2026

TSMC projected record spending and profit growth; SK Hynix accelerated HBM fab launch; the US and China sparred over Nvidia chips; and AMD EPYC outperformed Intel, and more.

• TSMC reported strong Q4 2025 results, beating expectations and announcing record capital spending of up to $56 billion for 2026 to meet soaring AI-driven demand, while also planning to build more manufacturing capacity in the U.S. following a trade deal with Taiwan. ^123456789
• Memory manufacturers SK Hynix and Micron saw record results driven by AI demand, prompting SK Hynix to accelerate the opening of its $13 billion HBM-dedicated fab, while Applied Materials' HBM revenue also reached $1.5 billion in FY25. ^101112131415
• Geopolitical tensions escalated as the U.S. imposed tariffs and security rules on Nvidia and AMD AI chip sales to China, while Chinese authorities subsequently limited or blocked the import of Nvidia's advanced H200 chips. ^{16171819202122}
• Nvidia continued to expand its AI ecosystem, unveiling physical AI advancements (Rubin, GR00T) and forming a $1 billion co-innovation lab with Eli Lilly to accelerate AI-driven drug discovery. ^232425262728
• In the CPU market, AMD EPYC EC2 instances demonstrated superior performance and power efficiency compared to Intel counterparts, while both companies reportedly considered raising server CPU prices by up to 15% due to inventory depletion from hyperscaler buildouts. ^29303132
• Samsung achieved a 50% yield on its 2nm Exynos 2600 chip production, raising speculation that Qualcomm might shift some 2nm chip orders back to the company, while ASML’s CEO claimed China’s EUV technology lags by eight generations. ³³³⁴³⁵
• Other developments included GlobalFoundries acquiring Synopsys' ARC Processor IP unit, Marvell enhancing its AI data center focus through acquisitions targeting CXL switching and optical interconnects, and Qualcomm advancing AI-defined vehicles and robotics. ^{363738394041424344}

Sources

1. Taiwan Strikes Trade Deal with Trump, Vows More U.S. Chip Factories nytimes.com
2. TSMC Lifts Long-Term Outlook Amid Voracious Artificial Intelligence Demand morningstar.com
3. Taiwan contract chipmaker TSMC s US investments reuters.com
4. Earnings call transcript: Taiwan Semiconductor’s Q4 2025 results show strong growth By Investing.com in.investing.com
5. AI trade back on? The company behind chip leaders like Nvidia and AMD just raised its spending forecast cnbc.com
6. TSMC reports Q4 EPS of NT$19.50 TSMC
7. TSMC Q4 Profit Jumps 35% to Record, Beats Expectations money.usnews.com
8. TSMC Announces Record Capital Spending of Up to $56 Billion to Ease Capacity Shortage theinformation.com
9. TSMC Plans U.S. Expansion in Proposed Taiwan Tariff-Relief Deal wsj.com
10. Applied Materials FY25 HBM Revenues Hit $1.5B: A New Growth Driver? finance.yahoo.com
11. SK Hynix accelerates Yongin fab launch by three months digitimes.com
12. SK Hynix s new, $13 billion memory plant won t make RAM for you pcworld.com
13. SK Hynix Bets $13 Billion To Lock In AI Memory Dominance finance.yahoo.com
14. Exclusive: SK Hynix speeds up new chip fab opening to meet memory demand, executive says reuters.com
15. Micron (MU) Achieves Record Results Amid AI-Driven Memory Demand gurufocus.com
16. China drafting purchase rules for Nvidia H200 chips, Nikkei Asia reports reuters.com
17. White House sets tariffs to take 25% cut of Nvidia and AMD sales in China ft.com
18. White House sets tariffs to take 25% cut of Nvidia and AMD sales in China ft.com
19. Exclusive: China's customs agents told Nvidia's H200 chips are not permitted, sources say reuters.com
20. Trump Administration Enacts Security Rules for Nvidia’s China Chip Sales wsj.com
21. China limits Nvidia chip purchases to special circumstances, Information reports reuters.com
22. Nvidia H200 faceoff: China to block AI chip imports after Trump's approval thenews.com.pk
23. Nvidia Expands AI Healthcare Push With Lilly, Thermo Fisher techrepublic.com
24. NVIDIA and Lilly announce AI co-innovation lab for drug discovery Nvidia
25. AI for new medicines: This NVIDIA deal could change the pharmaceutical industry! finanznachrichten.de
26. Nvidia unveils physical AI advancements Nvidia
27. NVIDIA expands BioNeMo platform for AI-driven drug discovery Nvidia
28. Nvidia, Eli Lilly to spend $1 billion over five years on joint research lab reuters.com
29. AMD shows EPYC EC2 instances outperform Intel with fewer vCPUs AMD
30. AMD & Intel Are Reportedly Considering to Raise Server CPU Prices by Up to 15% as Hyperscaler Buildout Has Drained Out Inventory wccftech.com
31. AMD & Intel Are Reportedly Considering to Raise Server CPU Prices by Up to 15% as Hyperscaler Buildout Has Drained Out Inventory wccftech.com
32. AMD demonstrates EPYC superiority in power efficiency AMD
33. Samsung Hits 50% Yield for 2nm Exynos 2600 Chip, But Is It Enough? androidheadlines.com
34. ASML CEO claims China's EUV lags by 8 gen ahead of 4Q25 earnings digitimes.com
35. Qualcomm May Shift 2nm Chip Orders Back to Samsung techjuice.pk
36. Qualcomm introduces Snapdragon Chassis Agents Qualcomm
37. Marvell Technology highlights Celestial AI acquisition Marvell Technology
38. GlobalFoundries to Acquire Synopsys' ARC Processor IP Solutions Unit morningstar.com
39. Marvell's $3.8B Play For Next-Gen AI Data Center Market forbes.com
40. Synopsys agrees to sell Processor IP business to GlobalFoundries Synopsys
41. Marvell to acquire XConn Technologies siliconsemiconductor.net
42. BMW Qualcomm ADAS: Licensing deals poised to reshape auto tech - Automotive News autonews.com
43. Qualcomm introduces full-stack robotics platform for physical AI ... eenewseurope.com
44. Volkswagen-Qualcomm Deal Strengthens SDV and Autonomous Push finance.yahoo.com