SemiPulse — Semiconductor Intelligence

The LCD TV panel market has shifted sharply from aggressive stocking to defensive procurement as global sports-event demand fades, pre-stocking cycles for China's 618 shopping festival wind down, and end-market demand loses momentum. TV brands are now focusing on inventory control and buying only as needed, while Chinese panel makers are trimming production to support prices.

From China to Arizona: How AI and TSMC are redrawing Taiwan's economic map

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

Taiwan's decades-long tilt toward China is giving way to a sharper, US-focused strategy. Semiconductor expansion and surging demand for AI infrastructure are redrawing the island's trade flows — and its industrial ambitions.

Southeast Asia's fab deficit threatens a chip boom shutout

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

Global semiconductor sales are projected to reach US$1 trillion this year and could double to US$2 trillion by 2035, driven by rapid growth in AI data centers. But the boom is also shining new light on Southeast Asia's limited front-end manufacturing base, as SEMI urges the region to add more fabs to reduce chip supply-chain concentration in China and Taiwan.

Samsung board chairman warns strike could disrupt chip output

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

Samsung Electronics' labor dispute is widening beyond a fight over bonuses, after board chairman Shin Je-yoon made a rare appeal for management and unionized workers to resolve the standoff through dialogue as a planned strike threatens to disrupt chip production, customer trust, and South Korea's broader economy.

GlobalFoundries signals stronger second half despite mixed end-market demand

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

GlobalFoundries reported first-quarter results broadly in line with expectations, with management highlighting solid execution and profitability at the upper end of guidance ranges, according to company statements. Chief executive Tim Breen said the company made "significant traction in secular growth end markets," supported by differentiated technologies and customer-focused execution.

GlobalFoundries sees optical and SiGe momentum drive strategic leap into high-value chip markets

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

GlobalFoundries used its first-quarter 2026 earnings call to spotlight advances in silicon photonics (SiPh), co-packaged optics (CPO), and silicon-germanium (SiGe) development while reporting improved margins and steady revenue. CEO Tim Breen and CFO Sam Franklin framed the quarter as evidence of a strategic shift toward higher-value technology corridors and broader technology services.

Tata Electronics targets US$30B semiconductor buildout to anchor India’s manufacturing push

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

Tata Electronics is rapidly emerging as one of India's most ambitious bets in the global semiconductor and electronics industry, with a long-term goal of building a US$30 billion business anchored in chip manufacturing, advanced packaging, and electronics services.

India approves new semiconductor and Mini/Micro LED projects

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

India's latest approvals could expand global display and chip sourcing as the country adds Mini/Micro LED GaN fabrication and large-scale packaging capacity. Global manufacturers and buyers may see new sourcing options as India deepens its production capabilities for displays, power devices, and automotive components.

RichWave sees Wi-Fi 7 growth outrunning memory price pressure

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

Radio frequency (RF) front-end chip maker RichWave said on May 4 that Wi-Fi 7 momentum will remain very strong in the first quarter of 2026, even as rising memory and component costs squeeze profitability and cloud order visibility. The company said memory-driven price increases are affecting the broader networking industry, but the impact on its 2026 growth will be limited.

GlobalFoundries pivots toward high-growth chips as mobile slowdown reshapes revenue mix

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digitimes.com 2026-05-06

GlobalFoundries is reporting a stark divergence in its primary end-markets, as the company pivots its manufacturing focus toward high-growth sectors like automotive and data centers to counter a cooling smartphone market. While overall wafer shipments reached approximately 579,300 12-inch-equivalent units in the first quarter, the company is managing a transition in which two-thirds of its revenue