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☆ Pentagon has strategic germanium stockpile but no gallium reserves
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, July 6 (Reuters) - The Pentagon holds a strategic U.S. stockpile for germanium but currently has no inventory reserves for gallium, a spokesperson said on Thursday, after China announced export restrictions on the two metals used in semiconductors. "The (Defense) Department is proactively taking steps using Defense Production Act Title III authorities to increase domestic mining and processing of critical materials for the microelectronics and space supply chain, including gallium and germanium," the spokesperson said. Germanium is used in high-speed computer chips, plastics and military applications such as night-vision devices, as well as satellite imagery sensors. Gallium is used in radar and radio communication devices, satellites and LEDs. While major defense contractors like Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) may not buy gallium and germanium directly, they likely purchase semiconductors from suppliers who source Chinese gallium and germanium, said Arun Seraphin, executive director for the National Defense Industrial Association’s Emerging Technologies Institute.

Persons: Arun Seraphin, ”, Dak Hardwick, Hardwick, Xi Jinping, Idrees Ali, Phil Stewart, Valerie Insinna, Rami Ayyub, Doina Chiacu, Mark Porter, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Pentagon, China, Defense, Department, Lockheed Martin Corp, National Defense Industrial, Emerging Technologies, Aerospace Industries Association, U.S, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Thomson Locations: U.S, China

☆ The US's biggest arms buyers are looking elsewhere for a next-generation fighter jet, but it won't be easy to find
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

But Washington has proved to be wary of selling those countries US-made stealth fighter jets. That leaves the Gulf states with various non-US options, which don't look all that promising — at least not any time soon. A prototype of Russia's Su-75 fighter jet at the MAKS-2021 air show outside Moscow in July 2021. AP Photo/Alexander ZemlianichenkoIn 2021, shortly after unveiling its Su-75 fighter, Russia offered to co-produce the jet, which is still in development, with the UAE. While China may eventually offer its FC-31/J-35 stealth fighter for export, it must first demonstrate the jet's effectiveness to attract serious buyers.

Persons: —, Sebastien Roblin, Chris Thornbury, Abraham, Abu Dhabi, FCAS, Roblin, Russia's Su, Alexander Zemlianichenko, Abu Dhabi's, Emily Hawthorne, RANE, Hawthorne, isn't, JOHANNES EISELE, Paul Iddon Organizations: Qatar —, Service, United Arab, —, US Air Force, Al Dhafra, Base, Staff, Abraham Accords, Reuters, AP, East, Korea's KF, Yonhap, Cooperation Council, KF, FC, Getty Locations: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Washington, Gulf, United Arab Emirates, Chris Thornbury But Washington, Israel, Riyadh, British, France, Germany, Turkey, Moscow, Russia, Ukraine, Abu Dhabi, Russian, North Africa, Sacheon, South Korea, Seoul, Korea, Zhuhai, AFP, China

☆ EU hopes for 160 billion euros of investment in key technologies
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Jan Strupczewski | Thomson Reuters | Jan Is The Acting Bureau Chief In Brussels. He Has Been Covering European Union Policy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, June 20 (Reuters) - The European Commission asked EU governments on Tuesday to come up with an extra 10 billion euros for 2024-27 to leverage a total of 160 billion euros worth of investment in key technologies, including renewable energy. Nor did the EU budget anticipate the fierce competition between Europe, the United States and China for the latest "clean" technologies to produce energy. "The future of the strategic industries should be made in Europe," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in presenting the call for more money. The new scheme is to be called Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) and help develop in the EU microelectronics and quantum computing, as well as renewable energy and electricity storage, among others. ($1 = 0.9155 euros)Reporting by Jan Strupczewski and Bart Meijer, editing by Gabriela BaczynskaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, von der Leyen, Jan Strupczewski, Bart Meijer, Gabriela Baczynska Organizations: European Commission, European Union, Strategic Technologies, Europe, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Ukraine, Europe, United States, China

☆ Germany in intensive talks with Intel on chip plant, economy ministry says
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, June 16 (Reuters) - Germany is in intensive talks with Intel (INTC.O) on plans to set up a new chip-making complex on its soil, the economy ministry said on Friday, without commenting on how much state funding the company was set to receive for the project. "The goal of the government is clear: We want to strengthen Germany as a location for microelectronics. This is highly important for transformation and technological sovereignty, and for this reason we are conducting intensive talks," a ministry spokesperson said. She did not say how much the company would receive in state subsidies for the site in the central German city of Magdeburg. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet with Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger on Monday, according to a government spokesperson.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Pat Gelsinger, Handelsblatt, Rachel More, Miranda Murray Organizations: Intel, U.S ., Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Germany, German, Magdeburg, U.S

☆ Lockheed Martin collaborates with GlobalFoundries to secure defense chip supply
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 12 (Reuters) - Chipmaker GlobalFoundries (GFS.O) and missile manufacturer Lockheed Martin (LMT.N) on Monday announced their partnership to secure domestic semiconductor supply for defense systems. The strategic collaboration will secure manufacturing across a range of advanced and next-generation chips, and will allow leveraging of GlobalFoundries' technology to increase anti-fragility in microelectronics systems and supply chains. Defense companies have been grappling with supply chain disruptions including that from global chip shortages, which continue to hurt production. Lockheed Martin along with GlobalFoundries will also pursue external funding opportunities, technology development and collaboration with the U.S. government. GlobalFoundries' manufacturing facilities in New York and Vermont have accreditation from the U.S. government and are authorized to produce secure chips used in sensitive mission systems.

Persons: Lockheed Martin, GlobalFoundries, Pratyush Thakur, Shilpi Majumdar Organizations: Lockheed, Monday, U.S, U.S ., Thomson Locations: United States, New York, Vermont, Bengaluru

☆ German firms to receive 4 bln euros through EU microelectronics push
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, June 8 (Reuters) - Over 30 microelectronics projects in Germany will receive about 4 billion euros ($4.29 billion) in funding after the European Commission approved a support scheme for such technologies, the German Economy Ministry said on Thursday. "The 31 microelectronics projects from 11 federal states strengthen Germany as a microelectronics location across the board and are an important industrial policy milestone," said Economy Minister Robert Habeck. A document provided by the German economy ministry showed Infineon (IFXGn.DE), Elmos Semiconductor (ELGG.DE) and Robert Bosch [RIC:RIC:ROBG.UL] among the companies to receive funds. The economy ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment on the report. ($1 = 0.9316 euros)Reporting by Miranda Murray Writing by Rachel More Editing by Madeline ChambersOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Robert Bosch, Habeck, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Madeline Chambers Organizations: European Commission, German Economy Ministry, European, Infineon, Elmos Semiconductor, Thomson Locations: BERLIN, Germany, German, Hamburg, Netherlands

☆ EU launches 8.1 bln euro microelectronics projects with 56 companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BRUSSELS, June 8 (Reuters) - Fourteen European Union countries will grant up to 8.1 billion euros ($8.7 billion) in public support to 56 companies working together on projects in microelectronics and communication technologies, the European Commission said on Thursday. The projects concern "research and development projects covering microelectronics and communication technologies across the whole value chain from materials and tools to the chip designs and manufacturing processes," the EU executive said. ($1 = 0.9314 euros)Reporting by Foo Yun CheeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Foo Yun Chee Organizations: Union, European Commission, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS

☆ Goldman Sachs is bullish on these 5 stocks in a corner of A.I. — giving one 140% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-08 | by ( Weizhen Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Goldman Sachs is bullish about generative artificial intelligence: It expects it will drive upside in the broader S & P 500 — and one specific corner of tech. An AI-fueled rally has already brought the S & P 500 to highs this year, but Goldman predicts there's going to be further upside. Thanks to demand for generative AI, supply of AI server equipment is likely to get a boost in the next couple of years, Goldman Sachs said in a separate report on June 1. Currently, there are around 150,000 units of generative-related AI server shipment this year — around 1% of total server shipment, according to the bank. It named buy-rated Unimicron , giving it a price target of 235 Taiwanese dollars, or upside of around 33%, as well as Kinsus (price target of 180 Taiwanese dollars, or 55% upside), Taiwan Union Technology (price target of 93 Taiwanese dollars, or 22% upside) and Elan Microelectronics (price target of 250 Taiwanese dollars, or 141% upside).

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, there's, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Gold, Electronics, Taiwan Union Technology, Elan Microelectronics Locations: Taiwan

☆ EU must build cutting-edge computer chips - industry chief Breton
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ANTWERP, May 16 (Reuters) - EU industry chief Thierry Breton on Tuesday touted the European Chips Act passed last month, saying Europe must manufacture its own cutting-edge computer chips and not be relegated to a position on research or in building relatively older chips. The Chips Act is Europe's answer to similar plans to encourage the manufacture of semiconductors in the U.S. and China, as well as in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. He also rejected the idea that Europe should only focus on existing strengths in making relatively older chips, mostly for its car industry. He was speaking at an event hosted by Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (IMEC), one of Europe's top semiconductor research firms. He noted that the Chips Act has led to new projects planned by Intel, Infineon, STMicroelectronics and Global Foundries.

Many Western companies are reviewing their supply chains and reliance on China as a manufacturing base, with Washington stepping up curbs in particular aimed at hobbling Beijing's chip ambitions and slowing its technological and military advances. Asked on an earnings call about U.S. and European chip designers shifting orders away from Chinese factories, UMC (2303.TW) co-President Jason Wang said their customers were starting to "evaluate their supply chain resilience". UMC could benefit from that, given the company makes chips in Taiwan, China, Singapore and Japan, Wang added. Global tech demand has slumped in recent months as soaring inflation, rising interest rates and a gloomy world economic outlook have led consumers and businesses to tighten spending. ($1 = 30.6960 Taiwan dollars)Reporting by Sarah Wu and Ben Blanchard Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ UBS says this semiconductor stock is a ‘buy’ — and doubles its price target
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

UBS is upgrading Taiwanese foundry United Microelectronics from "neutral" to "buy." The Swiss investment bank raised its price target on the stock from 37 Taiwan dollars ($1.20) to NT$75, representing a potential upside of nearly 50% from its closing price on Wednesday. UMC's year-to-date rerating reflects the "increasing optimism" about the semiconductor industry's recovery and the greater profitability of the stock, the analysts said. UBS isn't the only bull UBS isn't the only bank bullish on United Microelectronics. In a note on April 19, the bank maintained its "outperform" rating on the stock and raised its price target on the stock to NT$60.

☆ Bank of America is doubling down on a lesser-known chip stock — and gives it 50% upside
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Zavier Ong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Nvidia has undoubtedly been one of the sector's biggest winners this year, but Bank of America is doubling down on a lesser-known chip stock. That's significantly higher than the average potential upside of 16.1% given by analysts covering the stock, according to FactSet data. Bank of America described the firm as a "top pick" among European auto semiconductors and said the stock remains cheaper than its peers. The bank said it believes concerns about the company's poor track record and high Apple concentration are "likely to fade over the course of the next 12-18 months" as it improves gross margins and operating margins. Apple's share of the firm's revenue is also likely to drop to around 10% by end-2024, the bank added.

Qaem-5 precision-guided munition, documented by Conflict Armament Research in Ukraine. Shahed-131 UAV documented by Conflict Armament Research in Ukraine. Circuit boards of four different items of Russian military equipment found in Ukraine by Conflict Armament Research investigators. Electronic components documented by Conflict Armament Research investigators in Ukraine. Source: Conflict Armament Research

April 12 (Reuters) - Sberbank (SBER.MM), Russia's dominant lender and a leading technology company, is finding graphics cards the trickiest hardware item to replace in the absence of Western providers, CEO German Gref said on Wednesday. Sberbank needs the cards for its artificial intelligence services and super computers and Western sanctions over Moscow's actions in Ukraine have curbed Russia's access to some technology imports. "We depend first and foremost on technology called hardware," Gref told lawmakers in the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament. "And probably the most critical position is graphics cards, microelectronics - video cards for high-performance computing." In the absence of Western imports, local companies have enhanced efforts to increase domestic production and cushion the blow.

☆ Synopsys spreads AI throughout its chip design tools
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Synopsys first released an AI tool for one part of the chip design process three years ago, and with customers like Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS) and ST Microelectronics (STM.DE) using the system. The tools Synopsys released Wednesday at its annual user conference in Santa Clara, California, spread much further across the chip design process. Synopsys is in a race with Cadence Design Systems (CDNS.O), its largest competitor, to add AI to chip design software. While some of the Synopsys tools released Wednesday are catching up to Cadence, Karl Freund, principal analyst with Cambrian AI research, said Synopsys is ahead, with more than 100 chips by customers using its AI tools coming to market. "I think they'll probably be at 1,000 (completed chip designs) by the end of the year."

☆ Lula to seek Chinese semiconductor technology, investment in Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Lisandra Paraguassu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BRASILIA, March 24 (Reuters) - Brazil will seek Chinese technology and investment to develop a semiconductor industry in the South American country despite U.S. attempts to discourage association with China in this area, a senior presidential adviser told Reuters. Semiconductors will be a priority on President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's visit to China next week. Lula's trip will seek Chinese cooperation in fostering Brazil's sustainable development and digital economy. We are not afraid of the big bad wolf," he commented, when asked about U.S. discouragement of technology deals with China. Lula is expected to visit the factory of Huawei Technologies, the Chinese telecommunications giant that has been operating in Brazil for 20 years.

☆ Factbox: Global firms with exposure to collapsed SVB
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

March 13 (Reuters) - Startup-focused lender SVB Financial Group (SIVB.O) became the largest bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis last week, sending shockwaves across global markets as billions of dollars belonging to companies and investors were left stranded. The collapse raised concerns that the end of decades-long era of cheap money would reveal cracks in the global financial system as climbing interest rates expose vulnerabilities in the economy. HSBC (HSBA.L) said on Monday it is acquiring the UK subsidiary of SVB for 1 pound, rescuing a key lender for technology start-ups in Britain. Below is a list of companies across the globe that have revealed their exposure to SVB:EUROPEAround 16 tech and life sciences companies in Europe have disclosed about $190 million in exposure to SVB in the UK and the United States. Moonpig adds that SVB UK is one of ten lenders that provide senior debt facilities to the group as part of a strong banking syndicateASIA-PACIFICNITRO SOFTWARE (NTO.AX)Australia's productivity software maker Nitro Software Ltd (NTO.AX) said it had about $12.18 million of its global cash reserves held on deposit at SVB.

☆ Factbox: Which companies are affected by SVB collapse?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

ROKU (ROKU.O)Streaming devices maker says it has about $487 million, or 26% of its cash and cash equivalents, held in deposits with SVB. CIRCLEUS cryptocurrency firm Circle says $3.3 billion of its $40 billion of USD Coin reserves are at SVB. BLOCKFIBankrupt crypto lender BlockFi Inc has roughly $227 million in unprotected funds at SVB, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday. VIR BIOTECHNOLOGY (VIR.O)Biotech firm says it maintains operating accounts at SVB with about $220 million as of Friday. EUROPEAround 16 tech and life sciences companies in Europe have disclosed about $190 million in exposure to SVB in the UK and the United States.

Hong Kong CNN —Europe’s biggest producer of advanced chipmaking technology has joined the United States in its escalating standoff with China. Japan has also been involved in three-way discussions with the Netherlands and the United States, a source familiar with the talks told CNN. China said Thursday it “firmly opposes” the Netherlands’ upcoming curbs, which come just months after the United States restricted sales of some semiconductor machinery to Beijing. He accused Western countries led by the United States of trying to “contain” and “suppress” China. European battlegroundThe announcement of the Netherlands’ export restrictions, the details of which are expected to be confirmed before the summer, isn’t the first time the US-China tech rivalry spilled over into Europe.

☆ Tesla's plan to slash silicon carbide use sends some chipmakers' shares down
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Shares in some chipmakers dipped on Thursday after electric vehicle maker Tesla said it plans to greatly reduce the use of silicon carbide transistors in its next-generation vehicle powertrains. Campbell revealed that, "In our next powertrain, the silicon carbide transistors that I mentioned, that are key component[s] but expensive, we figured out a way to use 75% less without compromising the performance or the efficiency of the car." Chips made with silicon carbide transistors are widely used in electric vehicles. They added the possibility that "cheaper [silicon carbide chips] could drive up EV adoption globally so what vendors lose on content could be partially offset by greater EV volumes." New Street does not expect a lower-priced, next generation Tesla vehicle to "ramp in volumes before 2025 or 2026."

☆ Ukraine war live updates: Situation in besieged Bakhmut worsens; Belarus says it can produce 'any type of weapon' with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Holly Ellyatt | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Monday that Russia and Belarus are capable of producing "any type of weapon" and can export such products to 57 countries around the world, circumventing sanctions on weapons production. "Despite unprecedented sanctions pressure, we produce sufficient quantities of weapons and military equipment to meet the needs of the Belarusian army. are concerned, kudos to those who preserved the legacy of the Soviet Union, and therefore, together with Russia, we are capable of manufacturing any type of weapon," Lukashenko added. The U.S. has warned Beijing against giving weapons to Russia as Moscow looks for other sources of military hardware. Belarus has sought to stay out of actively participating in the war while assisting Russia in terms where it can, having allowed Russia to launch its initial invasion of northern Ukraine from Belarusian territory.

☆ Russia has been able to keep its most effective drone flying over Ukraine thanks to Western-made parts
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Ukraine and Russia have employed an array of drones since Moscow attacked in February 2022. Despite sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, Russia has been able to keep its most effective drone flying over Ukraine thanks to Western-made parts. The Orlan-10's specifications and characteristics in a graphic published by the Royal United Services Institute in December 2022. Russian intelligence services are likely involved in sourcing this technology through contacts and front companies around the world. Western-made components found in the Orlan-10, according to the Royal United Services Institute.

☆ Is the iPhone's 'Made in India' era beginning as Apple breaks with China?
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-10 | by ( Diksha Madhok | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said Apple was already making between 5% and 7% of its products in India. His comments come at a time when Foxconn (HNHPF), a top Apple supplier, is looking to expand its operations in India after suffering severe supply disruptions in China. For years, Apple had relied on a vast manufacturing network in China to mass produce iPhones, iPads and other popular products. China headaches mountBut the world’s most valuable company posted shockingly weak earnings this month, partly because of its recent problems in China. According to Counterpoint’s Pathak, India accounts for 16% of the global smartphone production, while China constitutes 70%.

☆ Wolfspeed to announce new electric vehicle chip plant in Germany - sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN/FRANKFURT, Feb 1 (Reuters) - German chip supplier ZF and American chipmaker Wolfspeed Inc (WOLF.N) are expected to announce on Wednesday plans to build an electric vehicle (EV) chip plant in the Saarland region, according to three sources close to the matter. The chancellery said the event was related to an industrial policy project in the field of microelectronics but did not provide further details. The project will cost over 2 billion euros ($2.18 billion) and ZF will hold a minority stake, with production to begin in four years, according to German business paper Handelsblatt which previously reported on the plans, citing unidentified sources. A spokesperson for ZF declined to comment, and Wolfspeed was not immediately available for comment. ($1 = 0.9195 euros)Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Victoria Waldersee and Ilona WissenbachOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Europe unveils $270 billion response to US green subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Stung by the Biden administration’s huge green subsidy program, the European Union unveiled plans for its own “Green Deal” Wednesday to cut red tape and deliver tax breaks. The proposals, which will be debated by EU leaders next week, would make €250 billion ($272 billion) available from existing EU funds for the greening of industry, including offering tax breaks to businesses investing in net-zero technologies. EU leaders are worried that tax breaks for American companies, which amount to $270 billion, will disadvantage European firms and lure them to the United States. In a document detailing its new green industry plan, the European Commission also fingered China, saying it has provided green subsidies at a level twice as high as those in the European Union, relative to GDP. “Europe and its partners must do more to combat the effect of such unfair subsidies and prolonged market distortion,” it added.

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