TSMC stock slips before U.S. open after record profit; big capex plan back in focus
New York, Jan 15, 2026, 04:54 EST — Premarket Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co’s shares listed in the U.S. dropped 1.2% in premarket trading Thursday, despite the chipmaker posting a record-breaking fourth-quarter profit that surpassed expectations. (Reuters) This print matters because TSMC dictates the rhythm for the entire chip supply chain — spanning from equipment manufacturers to leading AI chip designers. The market is weighing whether the upcoming phase hinges on demand or spending. This comes as investors shift their attention to 2026 budgets, with chipmakers once more discussing capacity expansion instead of cuts. TSMC reported a 20.5% jump in fourth-quarter