Semiconductor News 20260506

In today’s semiconductor news, we report on the feverishly growing demand for AI infrastructure, the resulting radical restructuring of the supply chain, and the acceleration of geopolitical fragmentation: special demand continues, with AMD’s stock price soaring 60% in one month on the back of AI demand, and Transcend posting record sales. Meanwhile, Apple is considering using Intel and Samsung foundries due to TSMC’s supply constraints, and JSR is building a new plant in Taiwan, as its supply network continues to diversify and strengthen. Furthermore, the situation is turbulent, with risks behind the growth becoming apparent, such as China’s own independence as Nvidia is shut out of the Chinese market and concerns of a strike by Samsung.

Main News

1. Apple Considering Using Intel and Samsung Foundries Due to TSMC Supply Constraints
   Apple is reportedly considering using Intel and Samsung foundries for chip production in the U.S. due to TSMC’s current dependence on them for core chip manufacturing capacity constraints and the need for supply chain diversification. Apple is reportedly considering the use of Intel and Samsung foundries for chip production in the U.S. due to TSMC’s current dependence on them for core chip manufacturing capacity and the need to diversify its supply chain. The move by major customers to seek alternative outsourced manufacturing partners could lead to a major tectonic shift in the competitive environment of the global foundry market.
2. AMD Raises Earnings Forecast on AI Demand, Shares Surge 60% in One Month
   AMD has raised its earnings forecast as demand for AI agents drives strong growth in the data center sector. AMD’s presence as a strong competitor in the Nvidia-dominated AI chip market has been well-received by investors, helping to propel technology stocks higher overall.
3. Google’s TPU Push Causes Ripples in AI Infrastructure Market, but Initial Adoption Remains Cautious
   Google is pushing for the deployment of TPUs, its proprietary AI chips, and the possibility of a blow to the Nvidia-dominated cloud AI market is emerging. However, initial adoption from AI infrastructure providers has reportedly remained cautious. The market is at a crossroads between hyperscalers’ desire to build an environment that is not dependent on a specific platform and their deep-seated trust in the proven Nvidia ecosystem.
4. SoftBank and Intel Challenge HBM’s Physical Limitations with 9-Layer Memory
   SoftBank and Intel are jointly developing 9-layer memory as the next-generation technology for high-bandwidth memory, which is essential for AI infrastructure, challenging the physical limits of existing HBM. as AI models grow in size. and the need for innovative memory technology to break through the barriers of data transfer speed and capacity, the race to develop next-generation architectures by the powerful tag-team of Japan and the U.S. is heating up even more.
5. As Nvidia’s Chinese Market Share Disappears, China’s Domestic Independence Accelerates
   Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says China should not own the latest AI GPUs, while the company’s share of the Chinese market is essentially approaching zero due to US export controls With Nvidia disappearing, the Chinese government and domestic companies are furiously developing and promoting domestically produced AI chips to fill the void, creating a critical supply chain fragmentation.
6. JSR to Open First Production Plant in Taiwan to Jointly Develop Advanced EUV Resist with TSMC
   JSR, a leading Japanese semiconductor materials company, plans to open its first production plant in Taiwan, working closely with TSMC to supply advanced EUV photoresists essential for cutting-edge processes and and co-development of advanced EUV photoresists, which are essential for cutting-edge processes. By establishing a production system near the bases of its most important customers, the company’s strategy is to increase the stability of its materials supply and solidify the advantage of Japanese materials manufacturers at the forefront of miniaturization.
7. SK Hynix Considering Factories Relocation and Transcend’s Record Sales Show Active Memory Market
   It was reported that SK Hynix is considering relocating or restructuring its memory factories in response to changes in the market outlook, including a sharp increase in demand for HBM due to the AI boom. Meanwhile, against the backdrop of severe memory supply shortages and price hikes, Taiwan’s Transcend recorded record sales in April. special demand for AI is dramatically changing the supply-demand balance in the memory market, and is having an immense impact on the performance and production strategies of related companies.
8. Samsung Strike Fears Grow, Warn of Huge Disruption to Chip Production
   The chairman of the board of directors of South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. has strongly warned that a full-scale strike by labor unions could severely disrupt the company’s chip production. production as memory for AI continues to be in short supply. line shutdowns would have an enormous impact on the electronics industry and the building of AI infrastructure around the world. While the company’s performance has been recovering rapidly, internal labor-management conflicts have become a major flashpoint in the global supply chain.
9. Intel Expands EMIB, but Supply Bottleneck Challenges on the Road to Revival
   U.S.-based Intel is pushing to revive its business on the back of government political support and ambitious commitments, expanding production capacity for its advanced packaging technology, EMIB, in the United States and Vietnam. Related equipment orders from Taiwan are also expected to ship in the second half of 2026. However, the reality of facing serious supply bottlenecks in some areas has been reported, and many challenges still remain in building a state-of-the-art infrastructure and establishing a stable mass production system.
10. China’s YMTC to Build New NAND and DRAM Factories Under U.S. Sanctions Pressure
    Chinese memory maker YMTC is reportedly building new factories and pursuing ambitions to expand its business into the DRAM sector in addition to NAND flash despite strict U.S. sanctions pressure The company is also reported to be building a new plant and expanding its business into DRAM in addition to NAND flash. Even in a situation where it is difficult to obtain manufacturing equipment made overseas, YMTC is forcing its semiconductor manufacturing to become independent with massive state support, and the struggle for technological supremacy between the U.S. and China is further complicating the competitive environment in the memory market.

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