What you need to know
- The global chip shortage has not stopped, nor is it expected to stop anytime before the second half of 2022.
- As a result, TSMC's customers remain demanding as ever, eager for more chips.
- This incessant demand means that TSMC has enjoyed six consecutive quarters of record-shattering sales.
Though Intel has cast doubt over the wisdom of relying on Taiwan too much, the fact remains TSMC remains the pack leader when it comes to semiconductor operations. Case in point: The company just enjoyed its sixth consecutive quarter of record-setting sales. The quarter that wrapped in December saw revenue spike by 21%, resulting in a grand total of approximately $15.8 billion.
As of December 2021, wait times for chip deliveries hit 25.8 weeks, marking a 6-day hike from the previous figure of November (via Bloomberg).
It's no secret TSMC has been a big player amid the ongoing global chip shortage, one big enough to get roped into White House meetings regarding semiconductor solutions and even butt heads with Washington.
Of course, TSMC isn't the only company out there working to mitigate the effects of the chip shortage. Intel has been trying to up its capabilities over the course of 2020 and 2021, aiming to better serve its domestic and foreign customers.
These two companies, in addition to many others, are helping pave the way for current estimates that the chip shortage will be over by the end of 2022 or 2023, depending on what sector you're looking at. Consumer technology is in a better position than the auto industry, for example, since companies in the former space kept up relations with chipmakers throughout the pandemic. In other words, if you're interested in the best graphics cards, you likely won't have to wait as long to score them as you will a new car.
