SEMICON West AZ- Congress & China- Memory Madness- AI Semiconductor Tsunami

SEMICON West AZ- Congress & China- Memory Madness- AI Semiconductor Tsunami
by Robert Maire on 10-12-2025 at 8:00 am

Semicon West Phoenix 2025

– First SEMICON in Arizona was great- should make it permanent
– Congress finally wakes up to China issues long after cows are gone
– Memory cycle in support of AI could be huge but scary at same time
– AI demand seems bottomless- but may distort chip industry dynamics

Phoenix SEMICON was wonderful!

The crowds… Read More


AMAT China Collapse and TSMC Timing Trimming

AMAT China Collapse and TSMC Timing Trimming
by Robert Maire on 08-17-2025 at 10:00 am

Robert Maire

– AMAT has OK Q but horrible guide as China & Leading edge drop
– China finally chokes on indigestion & export issues -$500M hit
– TSMC trims on fab timing causing leading edge to slow -$500M hit
– Cycle which had slowed to single digits has rolled over to negative

AMAT guides down for big miss on Q4
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Is a Semiconductor Equipment Pause Coming?

Is a Semiconductor Equipment Pause Coming?
by Robert Maire on 08-03-2025 at 10:00 am

John Maire SemiWiki

– Lam put up good numbers but H2 outlook was flat with unknown 2026
– China remains high & exposed at 35% of biz while US is a measly 6%
– Unclear if this is peak, pause, digestion, technology or normal cycle
– Coupled with ASML soft outlook & stock run ups means profit taking

Nice quarter but expected
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More Headwinds – CHIPS Act Chop? – Chip Equip Re-Shore? Orders Canceled & Fab Delay

More Headwinds – CHIPS Act Chop? – Chip Equip Re-Shore? Orders Canceled & Fab Delay
by Robert Maire on 11-15-2024 at 8:00 am

CHIPS Act Semiconductor USA

– CHIPS Act more likely to be maimed & cut than outright killed
– Will Legislators reverse flow of equipment to Reshore from Offshore?
– Recent order cuts, Fab Delay & SMIC comments are all negative
– News flow for semi equipment all bad in front of AMAT

CHIPS Act Chops likely to occur under new administration
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KLAC – OK Qtr/Guide – Slow Growth – 2025 Leading Edge Offset by China – Mask Mash

KLAC – OK Qtr/Guide – Slow Growth – 2025 Leading Edge Offset by China – Mask Mash
by Robert Maire on 11-02-2024 at 8:00 am

KLAC 2024
  • KLA put up an OK Quarter & Guide with modest growth & outlook
  • 2025 remains slow growth as leading edge offset by China slowing
  • China sanctions remain a “great unknown”- impact unclear
  • Reticle biz getting squeezed from both high & low ends
OK quarter with slight beat as always- Guide is OK as well

KLA reported… Read More


ASML surprise not a surprise (to us)- Bifurcation- Stocks reset- China headfake

ASML surprise not a surprise (to us)- Bifurcation- Stocks reset- China headfake
by Robert Maire on 10-16-2024 at 10:00 am

ASML 2024 Downturn
  • Investors finally realize the upcycle isn’t as strong as stocks indicated
  • Industry Bifurcation between AI & rest of industry continues
  • China spending risk/overhang finally kicks in
  • AI is super strong, majority of chips remain weak- Invest accordingly
ASML simply states chip industry reality that investors have
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KLAC- Past bottom of cycle- up from here- early positive signs-packaging upside

KLAC- Past bottom of cycle- up from here- early positive signs-packaging upside
by Robert Maire on 05-02-2024 at 8:00 am

Semiconductor Manufacturing

– KLA reported a good QTR but more importantly passing the bottom
– Lead times mean KLA gets orders early in up cycle-just behind ASML
– Potential upside in upcycle as packaging needs more process control
– 2024 2nd half weighted with stronger recovery likely in 2025

A solid quarter as expected with good
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LRCX- Mediocre, flattish, long, U shaped bottom- No recovery in sight yet-2025?

LRCX- Mediocre, flattish, long, U shaped bottom- No recovery in sight yet-2025?
by Robert Maire on 04-29-2024 at 8:00 am

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– Lam reports another flat quarter & guide- No recovery in sight yet
– Seems like no expectation of recovery until 2025- Mixed results
– DRAM good- NAND weak- Foundry/Logic mixed-Mature weakening
– Clearly disappointing to investors & stock hoping for a chip recovery

Another Flat Quarter &
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KLAC- OK Quarter & flat guide- Hopefully 2025 recovery- Big China % & Backlog

KLAC- OK Quarter & flat guide- Hopefully 2025 recovery- Big China % & Backlog
by Robert Maire on 01-30-2024 at 6:00 am

KLAC Foundry Logic

– KLAC reported an OK QTR & flat guide-waiting for 2025 recovery?
– China exposure remains both risk & savior & big in backlog
– Wafer inspect strong- Patterning on long slide- PCB biz for sale
– Some bright spots but memory still weak- Foundry/Logic OK

Bumping along the bottom of the cycle
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The Coming China Chipocalypse – Trade Sanctions Backfire – Chips versus Equipment

The Coming China Chipocalypse – Trade Sanctions Backfire – Chips versus Equipment
by Robert Maire on 11-15-2023 at 10:00 am

China Sino US
  • China Chip Sanctions have had opposite of intended effect
  • Helps AMAT, LRCX, KLAC & TEL- Hurts Micron and GloFo
  • Tsunami of Chinese capacity will hurt memory & 2nd tier chip makers
  • The probability of a much longer chip downcycle is increasing
China is cornering the market on Semiconductor equipment

Quarterly reports from… Read More