Semiconductor Advisors LLC is a U.S.-based independent research and consulting firm focused on the semiconductor and semiconductor equipment (semicap) industry. Founded by industry veteran Bob Maire, the firm offers detailed market analysis, strategic consulting, and institutional-grade insights into chip supply chains, wafer fab equipment, capital spending trends, and geopolitical dynamics.
Overview
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Name: Semiconductor Advisors LLC
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Type: Private
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Industry: Semiconductors, Capital Markets, Consulting
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Founded: [Date not publicly disclosed]
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Founder: Robert (Bob) Maire
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Headquarters: United States
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Primary Focus: Semiconductor capital equipment, foundries, technology transitions, geopolitics
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Website: semiconductoradvisors.com
History
Semiconductor Advisors was founded by Robert (Bob) Maire, a former executive at major semicap firms including Applied Materials and KLA. Recognizing the growing gap between Wall Street sentiment and the complex technical realities of the semiconductor industry, Maire launched the firm to provide independent, technically informed, and often contrarian commentary on market movements and company performance.
The firm gained visibility through sharp earnings previews, conference takeaways, and geopolitical analysis, especially around the U.S.-China tech war, fab construction cycles, and advanced packaging trends. Its blog and client notes are widely circulated within investment and industry circles.
Core Services
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Market & Equity Research
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Deep dives on ASML, Lam Research, KLA, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, TSMC, Intel, and others
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Earnings previews and takeaways with critical analysis of guidance, bookings, and backlog health
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Capital Equipment Cycle Forecasting
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Analysis of WFE (wafer fab equipment) spending trends
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Tracking fab construction timelines and utilization dynamics
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Monitoring tool shipments, lead times, and delays
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Geopolitical Risk Analysis
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U.S.-China export controls, CHIPS Act, reshoring trends
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Strategic implications of export bans on AI GPUs, EUV, DUV, and metrology
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M&A and Strategic Advisory
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Valuation insights and synergy analysis in M&A scenarios
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Ad-hoc consulting to hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, and strategics
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Reputation
Semiconductor Advisors is valued for its candid, independent tone. Unlike bank-affiliated research shops, the firm has no conflicts of interest or ties to underwriting, allowing for unfiltered insights.
It is frequently cited by:
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Financial media: Bloomberg, CNBC, The Wall Street Journal
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Buy-side analysts: Particularly hedge funds and deep-tech investors
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Industry insiders: For off-cycle, real-time interpretation of news events and earnings results
Notable Quotes from Bob Maire / Semiconductor Advisors
“Semiconductor cycles don’t die of old age—they die of overspending.”
— On capital spending excesses and semicap downturns.
“AI won’t save everyone—there will be winners, but the rising tide doesn’t lift all fabs.”
— On the uneven impact of AI workloads across semiconductor subsectors.
“ASML sells time machines. Everyone else sells shovels.”
— Comparing the strategic importance of ASML’s EUV to other toolmakers.
“Export controls are the new tariffs. They hurt both sides, but especially the ones with the shorter leash.”
— On U.S.–China restrictions impacting ASML, Nvidia, and Lam Research.
“Fab starts are nice press releases. Tool deliveries pay the bills.”
— On the lag between fab announcements and real capital equipment orders.
“The market got too far ahead of itself on AI—and forgot about DRAM, NAND, and 300mm tool inventories.”
— During a 2023 cyclical correction in memory and general-purpose semicap.
“Advanced packaging is a bridge—not a destination.”
— On the limits of CoWoS, Foveros, and chiplet hype without scaling improvements.
Public Presence
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Semiconductor Advisors Blog:
Frequent earnings commentary and technology commentary available at semiconductoradvisors.com -
Media Contributions:
Bob Maire is often quoted in Bloomberg, Reuters, and CNBC during earnings seasons or major geopolitical events affecting semis. -
SemiWiki and LinkedIn:
Commentary often reposted on SemiWiki and professional forums frequented by semiconductor industry analysts and investors.
Notable Coverage Areas
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TSMC Arizona and Japan Fab Construction Delays
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Export Bans on Nvidia A100/H100 to China
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Lam Research & AMAT tool lead time analysis
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HBM shortages and impact on AI server designs
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Intel Foundry Services (IFS) execution risks
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CHIPS Act implementation & subsidy timing concerns
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