The Tech week that was.. Dec 16~20
Welcome to the latest edition of my weekly newsletter bringing you all the key global semiconductor and technology news from last week in one easy read
In industry news..
Taiwanese foundry UMC said that it has no immediate plans to set up a production site in the US amid speculation that the Taiwanese company might come under pressure to invest in the US with US president-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House next month. UMC said it was focusing its resources on its ongoing project with US chipmaker Intel Corp to develop a 12-nanometer semiconductor process platform at Intel’s Ocotillo Technology Fabrication site in Arizona with production set to begin in 2027.
NXP announced it plans to acquire automotive networking company Aviva Links for US$242.5million. San Jose USA based Aviva Links is a developer of ASA-based asymmetrical links for automotive ADAS and IVI applications. ASA-based asymmetrical multi-gigabit links help OEMs produce interoperable network architecture based on an open standard to control processors and sensors.
US President Joe Biden’s administration is reported to be ready to initiate a trade investigation into Chinese semiconductors in the coming days citing national security risks. The probe could result in tariffs or other measures to restrict imports on older-model semiconductors and the products containing them. The probe will take many months to complete so it will be up the Trump administration on whether it will implement the probes recommendations.
Japanese semiconductor start up Rapidus announced the delivery and start of installation of ASML's EUV lithography equipment at its Innovative Integration for Manufacturing (IIM-1) foundry, an advanced semiconductor development and manufacturing fab currently under construction in Chitose, Hokkaido. Rapidus is building a new 2nm technology semiconductor Fab in Hokkaido, and plans to begin it’s pilot line April 2025.
US Memory manufacturer Micron released it’s fiscal Q1 2025 results this week. For the quarter just finished, FY Q1 2025, revenue was US$8.7billion, up 12% sequentially and up 84% YoY as it benefited from large increase in data centre revenue. However personal computers and smartphones sectors remain sluggish. For FY Q2, Micron is forecasting revenue will be US$7.9billion.
The UK's competition watchdog (CMA) said that chip design software maker Synopsys' $35 billion acquisition of Ansys raises competition concerns that could reduce innovation and lead to higher prices. The commission said it could approve the deal if those concerns are resolved.
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In Government Funding news…
Two additional companies had their US CHIPS Act funding approved this week by the US Department of Commerce after completing due diligence talks.
In Europe, the European Commission approved several state investments in semiconductors manufacturing.
In Market research news…
KPMG and the Global Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) published a preliminary report on their survey of 156 semiconductor executives outlook for 2025. 86% of respondents are optimistic that company revenue will grow in 2025, with almost half of respondents expecting more than 10% growth. Artificial intelligence (AI) is now the most important revenue driver with Cloud/data centers, wireless, and automotive also key to revenue growth. Geopolitics and talent resources are key concerns.
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Wishing all my readers a happy holiday season. Stay healthy and safe... bye