Semiconductor Equipment Spending Healthy

Semiconductor Equipment Spending Healthy
by Bill Jewell on 09-24-2025 at 4:00 pm

Semiconductor Equipment Spend 2H 2025

Global spending on semiconductor manufacturing equipment totaled $33.07 billion in the 2nd quarter of 2025, according to SEMI and SEAJ. 2Q 2025 spending was up 23% from 2Q 2024. China had the largest spending at $11.36 billion, 34% of the total. However, China spending in 2Q 2025 was down 7% from 2Q 2024. Taiwan had the second largest… Read More


AI Revives Chipmaking as Tech’s Core Engine

AI Revives Chipmaking as Tech’s Core Engine
by Daniel Nenni on 09-17-2025 at 8:00 am

The Economist

A century ago, 391 San Antonio Road in Mountain View, California, housed an apricot-packing shed. Today, it’s marked by sculptures of diodes and a transistor, commemorating the 1956 founding of Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory—the birthplace of Silicon Valley. William Shockley, co-inventor of the transistor, aimed… Read More


Musk’s new job as Samsung Fab Manager – Can he disrupt chip making? Intel outside

Musk’s new job as Samsung Fab Manager – Can he disrupt chip making? Intel outside
by Robert Maire on 07-29-2025 at 6:00 am

Elon Musk Samsung Tesla

– Musk chip lifeline to Samsung comes with interesting strings attached
– Musk chose Samsung over Intel-What does that say about Intel?
– Musk will hold sway over Samsung much as Apple/NVDA over TSMC
– Will Musk do a “DOGE” on chip tool makers? How much influence?

Tesla/Samsung $16.5B deal
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Elon Musk Given CHIPS Act & AI Oversight – Mulls Relocation of Taiwanese Fabs

Elon Musk Given CHIPS Act & AI Oversight – Mulls Relocation of Taiwanese Fabs
by Robert Maire on 04-01-2025 at 8:00 am

Trump Elon Doge

– Trump gives CHIPS Act & AI oversight to DOGE/Musk-“Tech Support”
– CHIPS Act to switch from incentive based to tariff/punitive based
– Musk to be responsible for US AI policy & security- Will rule ChatGPT
– Talks underway to relocate Taiwan fabs & staff to avoid China threat… Read More


Semiconductor CapEx Down in 2024 up in 2025

Semiconductor CapEx Down in 2024 up in 2025
by Bill Jewell on 03-30-2025 at 8:00 am

Mar 2025 capex 793x1024

Semiconductor Intelligence (SC-IQ) estimates semiconductor capital expenditures (CapEx) in 2024 were $155 billion, down 5% from $164 billion in 2023. Our forecast for 2025 is $160 billion, up 3%. The increase in 2025 is primarily driven by two companies. TSMC, the largest foundry company, plans between $38 billion and $42 billion… Read More


CHIPS Act dies because employees are fired – NIST CHIPS people are probationary

CHIPS Act dies because employees are fired – NIST CHIPS people are probationary
by Robert Maire on 02-23-2025 at 6:00 am

Donald Trump CHIPs Act Cancelled

– NIST to lose 100’s of mainly CHIPS Act people
– If no people are left to administer CHIPS Act it dies by default
– Following USAID play book to kill an unwanted program
– Using the “probationary” clause as excuse to fire recent CHIPS hires

Trump will kill CHIPS Act by gutting NIST employees
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Trump whacking CHIPS Act? When you hold the checkbook, you make up the new rules

Trump whacking CHIPS Act? When you hold the checkbook, you make up the new rules
by Robert Maire on 02-16-2025 at 10:00 am

Robert Maire Semiconductor Advisors
  • News reports that Trump will change CHIPS Act to suit his views
  • We specifically predicted this months ago as deals closed 11th hour
  • Blue states, enemies list & foreign entities likely to get cut
  • Big changes/cuts likely to a program Trump roundly criticized

Reuters: Exclusive: Trump prepares to change US CHIPS Act conditions,Read More


Podcast EP269: A Broad View of Semiconductor Market Dynamics with Rajiv Khemani

Podcast EP269: A Broad View of Semiconductor Market Dynamics with Rajiv Khemani
by Daniel Nenni on 01-10-2025 at 10:00 am

Dan is joined by Rajiv Khemani, a serial entrepreneur and an industry leader with 25 years of experience in building and scaling businesses. He is currently co-founder & CEO of Auradine. He is also an investor and board member in the data infrastructure, AI and software/platforms space. Previously, Rajiv was co-founder &… Read More


AMAT has OK Qtr but Mixed Outlook Means Weaker 2025 – China & Delays & CHIPS Act?

AMAT has OK Qtr but Mixed Outlook Means Weaker 2025 – China & Delays & CHIPS Act?
by Robert Maire on 11-17-2024 at 8:00 am

Applied Materials

– AMAT has OK QTR but outlook below expectations as 2025 weakens
– Strength in AI cannot offset weakness in the rest of the market
– Increasing headwinds going into 2025 dampen overall outlook
– Weakness combined with regulatory uncertainty reduce valuations

Quarter and year are just OK but outlook is
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