The AI gravy train keeps rolling
TSMC came out swinging on its earnings call and basically told investors: the chip party is still on. For the second quarter, the company expects revenue between $39 billion and $40.2 billion, which is not exactly a “we’re bracing for impact” kind of forecast.
Why that matters
That midpoint is comfortably above $30.1 billion from the same period last year and also ahead of the $35.9 billion it booked in the first quarter. In plain English: demand is still hot, and TSMC is still the factory floor for the AI gold rush.
The one cloud in the forecast
Not everything is sunshine and semiconductors. The company said the Middle East crisis could hit profitability, though it also noted it has built up enough safety stock to cushion supply hiccups. So yes, the macro risk is real — but TSMC is basically saying it has packed an umbrella, a raincoat, and maybe a backup roof.
Big picture
For investors, this is the kind of update that keeps the “AI infrastructure” trade alive. The growth engine is still humming, but geopolitical noise can still nibble at margins. Big picture: TSMC is still the toll booth on the road to AI, and everyone’s still paying up.