, Columnist
Global Chip Hunger Is Showing Early Signs of Indigestion
There are indications that the world’s appetite for semiconductors could quickly lead to a glut that may be painful to clear when supply chains start rolling smoothly again.
Building stockpiles.
Photographer: Billy H.C. Kwok/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Global orders for semiconductors keep rolling in, but the latest data from the world’s biggest chipmaker hint that this strong demand is beginning to look like industry stockpiling. That could be a massive problem when supply chain bottlenecks ease.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. on Thursday announced record profits thanks to orders for clients like Apple Inc., Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc. This optimism will continue through the foreseeable future, with the company expecting full-year growth of 24%.