Has U.S. already lost Chip war to China? Is Taiwan’s silicon shield a liability?

Has U.S. already lost Chip war to China? Is Taiwan’s silicon shield a liability?
by Robert Maire on 09-20-2023 at 6:00 am

SMIC 7nm
  • Huawei’s 7NM chip? This wasn’t supposed to happen
  • Are Chips a weapon for U.S. or China? Role reversal?
  • Will Taiwan turn from protected asset to unwanted liability?
  • Are sanctions so porous that US has already lost to China?
While EUV is critical to advanced chips there are workarounds

Many people either thought or assumed… Read More


LAM Not Yet at Bottom Memory Worsening Down 50%

LAM Not Yet at Bottom Memory Worsening Down 50%
by Robert Maire on 04-24-2023 at 10:00 am

LAM RESEARCH Vantex external chamber lrg 300x300

-Lam reported in line results on reduced expectations
-Guidance disappoints as memory decline continues
-Memory capex down 50% but still sees “further declines”
-Lam ties future to EUV maybe not good idea after ASML report

Lam comes in above grossly already reduced expectations
and misses on guidance

We always … Read More


KLAC- Weak Guide-2023 will “drift down”-Not just memory weak, China & logic too

KLAC- Weak Guide-2023 will “drift down”-Not just memory weak, China & logic too
by Robert Maire on 02-06-2023 at 6:00 am

KLAC Tencor SemiWiki

-Business will “drift down” over the course of 2023
-Not just memory is weak- China issue, foundry/logic slowing
-March guide worse than expected (Like Lam)
-Backlog likely saw push outs & cancelations but still long

Good quarter but weak guide

Much as we saw with Lam, KLA reported a beat on the December quarter… Read More


LRCX down from here – 2023 down more than 20% due to China and Downcycle

LRCX down from here – 2023 down more than 20% due to China and Downcycle
by Robert Maire on 10-27-2022 at 10:00 am

Lam Research USA Chips

-Lam reports good quarter that is high water mark for cycle
-2023 WFE to be down more than 20%- Cuts spending & Hiring
-If we back out deferred rev outlook would be down for Dec
-Memory already Down & China down $2-$2.5B in 2023

Lam reports good quarter but likely peak of current cycle with clear drop

Lam reported revenues of … Read More


Supply Chain Breaks Under Strain Causes Miss, Weak Guide, Repairs Needed

Supply Chain Breaks Under Strain Causes Miss, Weak Guide, Repairs Needed
by Robert Maire on 11-21-2021 at 8:00 am

Applied Materials

-AMAT -Supply chain can’t keep up with expanding business
-May be longer term issue which will limit upside
-Being tough on vendors may have come back to bite Applied
-Fixing supply chain will likely take longer than the current cycle

Supply Chain issues come home to roost

Applied Materials missed on both earnings and revenues… Read More


AMAT- Solid QTR & Great Guide- Share gains- Memory?

AMAT- Solid QTR & Great Guide- Share gains- Memory?
by Robert Maire on 08-16-2020 at 10:00 am

Applied Materials AMAT

Higher Foundry/logic exposure helps-
Little or no Covid or China trade impact-
Nice quarter but even better guide-

Applied reported revenues of $4.4B and NonGAAP EPS of $1.06, nicely above street estimates of $4.2B and $0.95 in EPS. Guidance is for revenues $4.6B +-$200M and EPS of $1.17+- $0.06, versus current expectations of… Read More


The Technology China Trade Growing Snowball

The Technology China Trade Growing Snowball
by Robert Maire on 06-28-2018 at 12:00 pm

As we have been warning for months the China trade issue continues to grow and accelerate. As we are approaching the June 30th cliff (when export sanctions will be announced) it seems as if the administration has given the industry a kick so we fly even further. The US will also restrict Chinese investment in US tech companies. The … Read More


Samsung has another record quarter in chips

Samsung has another record quarter in chips
by Robert Maire on 04-29-2018 at 7:00 am

Samsung throws further gas on the fire of weak handset and CAPEX not set but will be down versus 2017. Samsung reported revenues of KRW 60.56 Trillion and KRW 15.64 Trillion operating profit ($56B and $15B). Chips accounted for whopping KRW 11.55 Trillion in operating profit on revenues of KRW 20.78 Trillion ( $11B and $19B)….a… Read More


EUV Continues Roll Out With Lumpy Quarters Ahead

EUV Continues Roll Out With Lumpy Quarters Ahead
by Robert Maire on 04-20-2018 at 12:00 pm

ASML put up good results with revenues of Euro2.285B versus street of Euro2.22B and EPS of Euro1.26 versus street of Euro1.17. Guide is for Euro2.55B versus street of Euro2.46B but EPS of Euro1.16 versus street EPS of Euro1.35 on lower gross margins, slipping from 48% to 43%.

A couple of EUV systems have slipped out. This is not surprising… Read More