台積電第四季令人印象深刻的業績增強了投資者對人工智慧硬體支出持續繁榮的信心

全球最大的先進晶片製造商台積電 (TSMC) 公佈 10 月至 12 月銷售額令人印象深刻，超出預期

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest advanced chipmaker, reported strong October-December sales on Friday that beat estimates, bolstering optimism about the continuing boom in AI hardware spending.

全球最大的先進晶片製造商台積電 (TSMC) 週五報告稱，10 月至 12 月的銷售強勁，超出預期，增強了人們對人工智慧硬體支出持續繁榮的樂觀情緒。

The company said its revenue rose 39% for the quarter to NT$868.5 billion ($26.3 billion), above the average analyst estimate of NT$854.7 billion.

該公司表示，本季營收成長 39%，達到新台幣 8,685 億元（合 263 億美元），高於分析師平均預期的新台幣 8,547 億元。

The strong performance comes as major tech companies like Microsoft (MSFT.O) and Alphabet (GOOGL.O) are ramping up investments to support AI development. This is driving demand for the chips that power AI applications and data centers.

這一強勁表現之際，微軟 (MSFT.O) 和 Alphabet (GOOGL.O) 等主要科技公司正在加強投資力度，支援人工智慧開發。這推動了對人工智慧應用和資料中心晶片的需求。

TSMC is well-positioned to benefit from this trend, being a key supplier to companies like Nvidia (NVDA.O) and Apple (AAPL.O), which are at the forefront of AI-related tech advancements.

台積電處於有利地位，可以從這一趨勢中受益，它是英偉達 (NVDA.O) 和蘋果 (AAPL.O) 等公司的主要供應商，這些公司處於人工智慧相關技術進步的最前沿。

However, the company also faces challenges that could impact its future growth. These include:

然而，該公司也面臨可能影響其未來成長的挑戰。這些包括：

* Geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, which could affect TSMC's operations and supply chain.

* 美國和中國之間的地緣政治緊張局勢可能會影響台積電的營運和供應鏈。

* The risk of market saturation for AI chips, especially if demand slows down or new competitors enter the scene.

*人工智慧晶片市場飽和的風險，特別是在需求放緩或新競爭對手進入的情況下。

* Competition within the AI sector, with other companies also vying for a share of the market and potential technological breakthroughs.

*人工智慧領域內的競爭，其他公司也在爭奪市場份額和潛在的技術突破。

Ahead of TSMC's full earnings report on Jan. 16, investors will be watching for updates on several key areas:

在台積電 1 月 16 日發布完整收益報告之前，投資人將關注幾個關鍵領域的最新動態：

* Net income and earnings per share for the fourth quarter and the full year of 2024.

* 2024 年第四季及全年淨利及每股收益。

* Utilization rates for TSMC's advanced chipmaking capacity, which is crucial for meeting demand.

* 台積電先進晶片製造產能的利用率，這對於滿足需求至關重要。

* Updates on TSMC's advanced chip technology nodes, including the status of its 3-nanometer (nm) and 2-nm processes.

* 台積電先進晶片技術節點的更新，包括其 3 奈米 (nm) 和 2 奈米製程的狀態。

* Commentary on the company's capital expenditure plans for 2025, following a $30 billion investment in the past year.

*繼去年投資 300 億美元之後，對該公司 2025 年資本支出計劃的評論。

* Outlook on the company's long-term strategy, including its global expansion plans and positioning in the AI chip market.

* 公司長期策略展望，包括全球擴張計畫以及在AI晶片市場的定位。

TSMC is planning to increase its capital expenditure in 2025 after investing $30 billion in the past year. The company is focusing on expanding its presence in key global markets, such as Europe, to meet the rising demand for AI chips.

台積電在去年投資了 300 億美元後，計劃在 2025 年增加資本支出。該公司正致力於擴大在歐洲等全球主要市場的業務，以滿足對人工智慧晶片不斷增長的需求。

TSMC is also expanding its presence in Japan, Arizona, and Germany, further solidifying its position as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing.

台積電也擴大了在日本、亞利桑那州和德國的業務，進一步鞏固了其作為全球半導體製造領導者的地位。