TSMC (2330-TW)(TSM-US), LSMC (6770-TW) The law conferences all admitted that customers have begun to reduce inventory levels. Affected by the slowdown in customer demand, it is also difficult for upstream silicon wafer fabs to stay out of the way. Tai Sembcorp (3532-TW) pointed out that customers with mature processes have adjusted their orders this quarter, and Hejing (6182-TW), Universal Crystal (6488-TW) is also facing the loosening of small-scale production capacity below 6 inches, and the silicon wafer market is showing signs of cooling.
Due to the foundry’s announcement of customer inventory correction, the operation of the silicon wafer fab bears the brunt. Universal Crystal said that the visibility of small-size silicon wafer orders under 6 inches has indeed been shortened compared with the previous one, but currently 8 inches and 12 inches have not seen customers cancel orders. It is possible to delay the delivery of goods, and the production capacity will remain fully loaded. It is estimated that the next wave of corrections will be 8-inch silicon wafers.
Tai Sembcorp pointed out that this wave of semiconductor industry boom has come and gone quickly and urgently. In the third quarter, the demand of some mature process spot customers has begun to correct, and the magnitude is not small, and some long-term customers have expressed their hope for a slowdown To meet the needs of the pace of goods, the current long-term customers are still fulfilling the contract according to the contract, and there is no breach of contract or order cancellation. However, the production capacity of 8-inch and 12-inch in the second half of the year has changed from the previous “very full” to “normal full”.
Hejing also pointed out that the production capacity of small sizes such as 6 inches is indeed slightly loose, and the production capacity of 8 inches continues to be fully loaded. Recently, it has indeed seen that customer demand has begun to cool down, and customers will see obvious inventory corrections in the fourth quarter as soon as possible.
Last week, TSMC took the lead in firing the first shot of “semiconductor industry business correction”, which is equivalent to announcing that the industry has officially entered a period of business correction. It is expected that the demand for smartphones, personal computers and consumer terminal markets will weaken, and customer inventories will continue to decrease in the second half of the year. Adjustments will be made. extended to the first half of next year.
RSMC also pointed out that the operation did slow down in the second half of the year, the capacity utilization rate in the third quarter will drop by regarding 5-10%, and the market inventory correction will be in the first or second quarter of next year, and even existing driver IC customers would rather pay Liquidated damages do not take the goods.
