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☆ The US is in a technological arms race with China, Air Force secretary says, and AI could decide who wins
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-30 | by ( Chris Panella | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The focus on advanced technologies has put the two countries into a different kind of arms race. The US Air Force secretary suggested that AI could be decisive in future warfare. On Tuesday, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said China has been effectively modernizing the People's Liberation Army, fielding systems with the intent of challenging US forces, especially its high-value combat assets like carriers and satellites. China has built up its Rocket Force, developing capabilities that put US military assets at military bases and airfields across the Indo-Pacific within striking range. The Air Force secretary said that he doesn't think people who say that AI is "going to determine who's the winner in the next battlefield" are "all that far off."

Persons: —, Frank Kendall, Kendall, Xi Jinping, Sarah Weinstein, Giancarlo Casem Organizations: US Air Force, Service, Air Force, People's Liberation Army, Microelectronics, National Semiconductor Technology, PLA, Eastern Theater Command, Weibo, Department of Defense, Rocket Force, Navy, DARPA, USAF, Marines Locations: China, Taiwan, Beijing, Ukraine

☆ TSMC-backed Vanguard and Dutch firm NXP to build $7.8 billion Singapore wafer plant
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. -backed Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation and Dutch chip designer and manufacturer NXP Semiconductors will build a $7.8 billion wafer manufacturing plant in Singapore. Vanguard will have 60% stake in the joint venture — VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Company — while NXP will hold 40%, according to a joint statement released Wednesday. The VSMC plant will produce wafers for the automotive, industrial, consumer and mobile device markets, the companies said. NXP will invest $1.6 billion in the Singapore plant while Vanguard plans to invest $2.4 billion, the statement said. The firms will also provide an additional $1.9 billion to support the long-term capacity of the plant, with the remaining funding provided by third parties.

Persons: NXP, TSMC Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, International Semiconductor Corporation, NXP, Vanguard, VisionPower Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Locations: Singapore

☆ U.S. offers TSMC up to $6.6 billion for Arizona factories as Biden pushes for chip security
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

TSMC 's Arizona subsidiary is set to receive up to $6.6 billion in U.S. government funding under a preliminary agreement announced by the Biden administration on Monday. The funding, under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, will support Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s more than $65 billion investment in three cutting-edge fabrication plants in Phoenix, according to the nonbinding agreement. The Taiwanese multinational semiconductor company is also eligible for around $5 billion in proposed loans under the CHIPS Act. According to Raimondo, the funds will include $50 million to train and develop local talent in Arizona, with TSMC Arizona having already created more than 25,000 jobs and attracted 14 semiconductor suppliers for the state. The CHIPS Act, passed in August 2022, is an almost $53 billion package aimed at building the U.S. domestic semiconductor industry to boost the country's economy and better compete with rivals such as China for national security purposes.

Persons: Gina Raimondo, TSMC, Biden, Raimondo Organizations: Science, Technology, Washington , D.C, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, U.S, Arizona Locations: Rayburn, Washington ,, Arizona, U.S, Phoenix, China

☆ Malaysia emerges as a hotspot for semiconductor firms amid U.S.-China chip tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-04 | by ( Sheila Chiang | In Sheilachiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

American chip giant Intel in December 2021 said it will invest more than $7 billion to build a chip packaging and testing factory in Malaysia, with production expected to begin in 2024. Malaysia holds 13% of the global market for chip packaging, assembly and testing services, said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority in a Feb. 18 report. Exports of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits increased by 0.03% to 387.45 billion Malaysian ringgit ($81.4 billion) in 2023, amid global chip demand weakness. Malaysia Semiconductor Industry Association president Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai said many Chinese firms diversified some of their production to Malaysia, calling the country China's "plus one." In the same month, the world's largest contract chip maker TSMC opened its first Japan factory as it diversifies away from Taiwan amid U.S.-China tensions.

Persons: Faris Hadziq, Kenddrick Chan, Aik Kean Chong, Intel's, Tan, Yinglan Tan, Datuk Seri Wong Siew Hai, Zafrul Aziz, TSMC, Ann Lim Organizations: Getty, Malaysia, LSE, London School of Economics, Political, Semiconductors, Intel, CNBC, Infineon, Ventures Partners, Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Malaysian, Malaysia Semiconductor Industry, U.S ., U.S, China -, Partnership Locations: KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, South, East Asia, China, U.S, American, Penang, Another U.S, Singapore, Europe, Kong, GlobalFoundries Singapore, Klang, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Washington, Asia, China - U.S

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday will announce the investment of $5 billion in a public-private consortium aimed at supporting research and development in advanced computer chips. That 2022 law aims to reinvigorate the computer chip sector within the United States through targeted government support. The center would help to fund the design and prototyping of new chips, in addition to training workers for the sector. Companies say they need a skilled workforce in order to capitalize on the separate $39 billion being provided by the government to fund new and expanded computer chip plants. Labor Department data say that about 375,000 people are employed in the production of computer chips with an average income of $82,830.

Persons: —, Biden, Gina Raimondo Organizations: WASHINGTON, National Semiconductor Technology, Companies, Labor Department, Industry, White Locations: United States

☆ China's SMIC sees lower Q4 gross margin, lifts annual capex forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A logo of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) is seen at China International Semiconductor Expo (IC China 2020) following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Shanghai, China October 14, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 9 (Reuters) - Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (0981.HK) on Thursday lifted its annual capital expenditure forecast to around $7.5 billion and said it expects lower fourth-quarter gross margins. SMIC expects a gross margin of between 16% and 18% in the fourth quarter, compared with 19.8% in the third quarter. Revenue for the third quarter fell to $1.62 billion from $1.91 billion a year ago, but the company expects a sequential increase of 1% to 3% in the fourth quarter. SMIC had previously said it expects capital expenditure in 2023 to be roughly flat compared with 2022, which came in at about $6.35 billion.

Persons: Aly, TSMC, Germany's, SMIC, Nausheen, Devika Organizations: Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China International Semiconductor, REUTERS, Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, HK, SMIC, Revenue, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Bengaluru

☆ The world will pay a high price if China cuts off supplies of chipmaking materials
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Last year, it accounted for 98% of the global production of gallium and 68% of refined germanium production, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). “Refining technologies and facilities for processing gallium and germanium cannot be built overnight, particularly considering the environmental implications of their extraction and mining,” she wrote in July. Analysts from the think tank said China’s leading position in the aluminum industry has allowed it to establish a dominant share of global gallium production. According to the USGS, Russia, Japan, and Korea produced a combined 1.8% of global gallium in 2022. Last year, the US Defense logistics Agency introduced a program to recycle optical-grade germanium used in weapon systems.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ”, Xiaomeng Lu, Marina Zhang, Zhang, Ewa Manthey, haven’t, Chris Miller, Gregory Allen, Nyrstar, ” Lu, Manthey Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, geotechnology, Eurasia Group, China, Geological Survey, University of Technology, “, ING Group, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Washington, Analysts, Corporation, CNN, Global, Wadhwani Center, AI, Technologies, CSIS, Rostec, Reuters, US Defense, Agency, Commerce Ministry Locations: China, Hong Kong, Beijing, United States, Europe, Japan, University of Technology Sydney, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Korea, Teck, American, Netherlands, Australia, ” Lu, Eurasia, Canada

Following the trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 50 shares of AVGO, increasing its weighting in the portfolio to 1.46% from 0.97%. With shares of Broadcom set to open down about 4% following the semiconductor firm's quarterly results Thursday, we are stepping in to build up our newest position . We also want to expand our Broadcom position before its planned acquisition of cloud-computing firm VMWare closes, likely at the end of October. The deal should provide a nice boost to Broadcom's gross profit margins, while adding a strong stream of recurring revenue. Industry Leader: Broadcom (BRCM)Annual revenue per employee: $605,318Annual profit per employee: $6,559Employees: 7,185Industry Laggard: National Semiconductor (NSM)Annual revenue per employee: $224,877Annual profit per employee: $30,164Employees: 6,500 Photo: Huang jia hui

Persons: Jim Cramer's, TD Cowen, Wells, Jim Cramer, Jim, Huang jia Organizations: Broadcom, AVGO, VMWare, Wall, CNBC, Industry, National Semiconductor Locations: Wells Fargo, –

☆ US reports big interest in $52 billion semiconductor chips funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Semiconductor chips are seen on a printed circuit board in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. The chips law also includes a 25% investment tax credit for building chip plants, estimated to be worth $24 billion. The Commerce Department spent the last year building a team of more than 140 people and writing rules for accepting and assessing applications. The law also dedicates $11 billion for advanced semiconductor manufacturing research and development. The focal point will be the National Semiconductor Technology Center.

Persons: Florence Lo WASHINGTON, Joe Biden's, Biden, We're, Gina Raimondo, Pat Gelsinger, Raimondo, David Shepardson, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: REUTERS, U.S . Commerce Department, Commerce Department, Intel, National Semiconductor Technology Center . Commerce, Commerce, Defense, Energy, National Science Foundation, Thomson Locations: Florence, America, U.S, China

☆ Biden aides tap Google chair for chips research effort, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 20 (Reuters) - The Biden administration picked the chairman of Google parent Alphabet (GOOGL.O), John Hennessy, and four other technology industry experts to help with research-and-development of next generation computer chips, U.S. officials told Reuters. Hennessy and the selected individuals are set to be announced by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, according to the officials, who declined to be identified. They will be responsible for picking a board of trustees to run the National Semiconductor Technology Center. That public-private partnership was authorized to lead research on next-generation chips as part of last year's bipartisan $52.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research law, which also subsidizes new chip plants. The nonprofit board is expected make politically sensitive decisions, including where in the United States to locate the center's research facilities.

Persons: Biden, John Hennessy, Hennessy, Joe Biden, Janet Foutty, Jason Matheny, Don Rosenberg, Brenda Wilkerson, Trevor Hunnicutt, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Google, Reuters, Commerce Department, National Semiconductor Technology, Stanford University, Deloitte, RAND Corp, Anzu Partners, Qualcomm, Thomson Locations: United States, China, Taiwan

☆ Biden administration taps Google chair for chips research effort
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Trevor Hunnicutt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 20 (Reuters) - The Biden administration says it has picked the chairman of Google parent Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O), John Hennessy, and four other technology industry experts to help with research and development of next-generation computer chips. They will be responsible for picking a board of trustees to run the National Semiconductor Technology Center. That public-private partnership was authorized to lead research on next-generation chips as part of last year's bipartisan $52.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research law, which also subsidizes new chip plants. The nonprofit board is expected make politically sensitive decisions, including where in the United States to locate the center's research facilities. "This selection committee is the next step to helping us stand up the NSTC and ensure it succeeds for generations."

Persons: Biden, John Hennessy, Hennessy, Joe Biden, Gina Raimondo, Janet Foutty, Jason Matheny, Don Rosenberg, Brenda Wilkerson, Trevor Hunnicutt, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Google, Inc, Commerce Department, Reuters, National Semiconductor Technology, Stanford University, Deloitte, RAND Corp, Anzu Partners, Qualcomm, Thomson Locations: United States, China, Taiwan

☆ Factbox: Want billions to make US chips? Here is how to get them
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] CMOS chips, are shown at the manufacturing facility of VAS, an electronics manufacturer in San Diego, California April 14, 2009. Chip giant Intel Corp (INTC.O) moved ahead with the ground breaking of a $20 billion chip factory in Ohio after the chips bill passed. The CHIPS Program Office will give "strong preference" to projects that are largely funded with private capital. The department also said that the workers hired to build plants or chips should be able to join unions. The CHIPS Program Office will require any company given more than $150 million to return money if it makes more than they projected.

☆ U.S. will create at least two semiconductor manufacturing clusters by 2030, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo testifies before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 1, 2022. WASHINGTON — The U.S. will use funds from the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act to create at least two large-scale logic fabs for the manufacture of semiconductors, along with multiple high-volume advanced packaging facilities, by 2030, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced Thursday. U.S.-based manufacturing plants, known as "fabs," will produce advanced memory chips "on economically competitive terms," Raimondo said. "This is fundamentally a national security issue," she said. The Commerce secretary reiterated the government's plans to invest $11 billion in what it calls a National Semiconductor Technology Center.

WASHINGTON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Thursday said the government will encourage companies to build at least two advanced domestic computer chip factories employing thousands of union workers, as part of a $52.7 billion dollar initiative. The centers would also include a "robust supplier ecosystem," Raimondo said in a speech in Washington. "America needs to design and produce the world's most advanced chips right here in America," Raimondo said, adding that the United States leads in design but not manufacturing. Raimondo said the department planned to invest $11 billion in semiconductor research and development, including the creation of a public-private partnership she called the National Semiconductor Technology Center. The United States has some chip production, and signs of expansion despite a very tight labor market.

☆ U.S. chip industry body urges R&D infrastructure upgrade with Chips Act funds
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Jane Lanhee Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct 27 (Reuters) - Funds from the recently passed $52 billion Chips and Science Act should be used to upgrade existing U.S. research and development infrastructure as well as building new facilities, a chips industry body said on Thursday. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) on Thursday called for a careful examination of existing R&D infrastructure, including facilities such as the Albany NanoTech Complex in New York and other government and research spaces. In addition to tens of billions of dollars for building back U.S. chip manufacturing capacity, the Chips and Science act carved out $2 billion for the Defense Department and $11 billion for the Commerce Department to allocate for chip R&D. "In the semiconductor industry, that kind of money, especially when we're talking about efforts towards scale up, will be spent very, very quickly. Breckenfeld said the Defense Department funding would mainly go to existing programs, while the Commerce Department funding will be allocated through two new government entities - the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP).

☆ ‘Decimated’ chip stocks closing in on bottom, suggests top analyst
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via Email‘Decimated’ chip stocks closing in on bottom, suggests top analystRuben Roy, Stifel managing director, Semiconductor Analyst with CNBC's Melissa Lee and the Fast Money traders discuss cutting estimates for chip stocks, uncertainty around international semiconductor exports, and expectations for earnings season.

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