The instruction by TSMC, which is grappling with delays at its $40 billion chip factory in Arizona, is aimed at controlling costs and reflects the company's growing caution about the outlook for demand, the sources said. Suppliers currently expect the delay to be short-term, the sources said, declining to be named as the information is not public. Companies affected by the instruction to delay include Dutch firm ASML (ASML.AS), which makes lithography equipment essential for high-end chipmaking, one of the sources said. ASM International (ASMI.AS), a smaller equipment firm that is also a supplier to TSMC, fell 4.2% with BE Semiconductor (BESI.AS), a packaging equipment firm, down 2.4%. CHIP CYCLE WORRIESThe Taiwanese chip giant is not alone in worrying a bounce back in demand may take longer than expected.

---

Persons: Dado Ruvic, TSMC, chipmaker, C.C, Wei, Peter Wennink, We've, Wennink, they're, Mark Liu, Sam Nussey, Fanny Potkin, Toby Sterling, Miyoung Kim, Stephen Coates Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Suppliers, Reuters, ASM, BE Semiconductor, Apple, Media, Huawei, Analysts, chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, HK, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, SINGAPORE, AMSTERDAM, Arizona, China, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington, Tokyo, Singapore, Amsterdam