TAIPEI, Feb 2, 2026, 06:50 (GMT+8) — Premarket
- Nvidia’s Jensen Huang pushed TSMC to boost chip production amid soaring AI demand stretching capacity.
- TSMC wrapped up trading in Taipei at T$1,775, while its U.S.-listed shares finished at $330.56.
- Investors await TSMC’s January sales figures, set for release on Feb. 10.
TSMC shares enter Monday’s session under the spotlight after a major customer publicly pushed for increased capacity over the weekend.
Huang’s comments carry weight since Nvidia is a key player in the AI hardware surge and relies heavily on TSMC’s cutting-edge manufacturing. When Nvidia signals a demand for increased supply, traders often interpret it as an immediate snapshot of incoming orders.
The timing couldn’t be more inconvenient. Taiwan equities return after the weekend, and the stock has been jittery over every detail about AI spending, chip shortages, and the expenses tied to expanding capacity.
In Taipei, shares of 2330.TW closed Friday, Jan. 30, down 1.66% at T$1,775. Over in New York, TSMC’s U.S.-listed American depositary receipts (ADRs), which track the Taiwan shares, dropped 2.7% to $330.56. (Trading Economics)
Huang told reporters late Saturday, “TSMC needs to work very hard this year because I need a lot of wafers,” referring to the silicon disks used for chips. He also noted, “We need a lot of memory this year,” highlighting supply constraints beyond just processors. Huang added that TSMC could more than double its capacity over the next decade. (Reuters)
Just a day earlier, Huang confirmed Nvidia plans a “huge” investment in OpenAI’s upcoming funding round, dismissing reports of any friction as “nonsense.” He expressed his appreciation for working with Sam Altman and signaled Nvidia’s role in the financing effort, underscoring how major AI labs remain focused on securing capital for expanded computing power. (Reuters)
TSMC has already started responding to the surge in demand. In its January earnings update, it projected capital expenditures for 2026 to hit between $52 billion and $56 billion. CEO C.C. Wei admitted the company was “very nervous” about going too far. Quilter Cheviot’s Ben Barringer put it bluntly: “TSMC ultimately benefits as the key manufacturer of all their chips.” (Reuters)
Still, risks abound. Policy uncertainty shadows the sector, and supply chains can be jolted by shifting regulations: the U.S. gave TSMC a yearly license to bring American chipmaking equipment into its Nanjing plant in China, but export controls keep evolving. (Reuters)
Taiwan’s economy outpaced expectations in the fourth quarter, the government reported Friday, driven by surging demand for AI and high-performance computing. Capital Economics noted that export demand should stay robust throughout the coming year. (Reuters)
TSMC investors will be watching closely on Feb. 10, when the company reports its January monthly sales. A solid number could calm nerves following Friday’s decline; a weaker result might prompt another round of selling. (Tsmc)
