TSMC Faces Delays at Arizona Chip Factory, Cautiously Reacts to Uncertain Economic Conditions and Softening Demand

Taiwan's TSMC has asked its suppliers to delay chipmaking equipment shipments due to concerns about customer demand and cost control. This comes as TSMC is facing delays at its chip factory in Arizona and is cautious due to uncertain economic conditions and softer demand. The news has led to declining shares for TSMC suppliers, including ASML. TSMC is also worried about a potential delay in the recovery of chip demand, citing issues such as the global smartphone slump and events like Apple's new iPhone launch. TSMC has forecasted a 10% decrease in sales for 2023 and a drop in operating margin for this quarter due to weak demand and uncertainty in the AI market.