Weekly Roundup: TSMC Now World’s Eighth-Largest Company, Taiwan's tax revenue rose 27.4%, President Lai Held National Security Meeting
Tech Spotlight
NTUST Professor Chiu Yu-cheng won the Ta-You Wu award for developing a self-healing semiconductor platform, which could enhance electronic skin for biomedical monitoring and extend sensor lifespan. Taiwan News
TSMC secured a $6.6 billion US subsidy to expand its Arizona semiconductor facilities, including a third fab for 2nm chip production, raising its total US investment to over $65 billion and strengthening domestic chip manufacturing. TechNode
MediaTek and NVIDIA are collaborating on a 3nm AI PC chip, set to begin tape-out this month and enter mass production in 2025, combining MediaTek's 3nm design with NVIDIA's GPU technology to target major PC manufacturers. TechNode
Nanya Technology will shift 15% of its production capacity to DDR5 in Q4 2024, increasing DDR5 output from December and gradually phasing out some DDR3 and DDR4 production, aiming for better product optimization. SemiMedia
Politics
President Lai held a national security meeting in response to China's "Joint Sword-2024B" military drill around Taiwan, emphasizing the need to safeguard peace and monitor any potential threats closely. Focus Taiwan
Taiwan's military will hold tri-service drills from October 28 to November 1, testing the combat readiness of the Army, Navy, and Air Force with non-stop training and joint operations. Focus Taiwan
Keelung will hold a mayoral recall vote on October 13, requiring at least 77,700 "agree" votes to pass. With 310,797 eligible voters, the recall campaign alleges Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang failed to meet his pledges and misused power. Focus Taiwan
Opposition lawmakers criticized a proposal by Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei to import green energy via undersea cables, citing cost concerns and feasibility issues, while questioning the necessity given Taiwan's renewable energy goals. Taiwan News
Finance Focus
TSMC became the world’s eighth-largest company by market value, surpassing Berkshire Hathaway, with a market cap of US$996.8 billion, driven by a rise in its ADRs amid AI optimism. Taipei Times
AMD's stock dropped 4% after unveiling new AI chips, as investors were disappointed by the lack of details on customers and financial outlook, despite the company's push to challenge Nvidia. Taipei Times
Nvidia's stock reached a record close, up nearly 14% this month, driven by strong demand for its Blackwell AI chip and reassuring updates on production. Taipei Times
ASML shares dropped 16% after third-quarter bookings missed expectations, signaling a slower chip industry recovery and causing a semiconductor market downturn. Taipei Times
Global Focus
Taiwan will donate $800,000 for Hurricane Helene relief in the U.S., allocating $300,000 each to Florida and North Carolina, and $200,000 to Georgia, to support recovery efforts after the storm's devastation. Focus Taiwan
The EU, U.K., and Japan expressed concern over China's "Joint Sword-2024B" military drills near Taiwan, which escalated tensions in the Taiwan Strait following President Lai Ching-te's assertion of Taiwan's sovereignty. Focus Taiwan
Donald Trump stated that China would not invade Taiwan if he were re-elected, while avoiding a direct response on whether he would send U.S. troops to defend Taiwan, reiterating his stance that Taiwan should pay for U.S. military protection. Taiwan News
Taiwan in Numbers
Taiwan's tax revenue rose 27.4% year-on-year in September to NT$423.4 billion, with total collections reaching NT$2.95 trillion for the first nine months of 2024. Taiwan News
Taiwan's fuel prices dropped NT$0.1 per liter, marking the third weekly decrease, with gasoline now at NT$28.9 to NT$32.4 per liter and premium diesel at NT$27.2 to NT$27.4. Taipei Times
Taiwan's average monthly wage in August rose 3.08% to NT$46,751, with total compensation, including bonuses, increasing 6.02% to NT$59,420. Taipei Times
Taiwan topped Asia and ranked seventh globally for Internet freedom, scoring 79 out of 100 in the 2024 Freedom on the Net report. Taipei Times
Our Latest Release
1950s to Early 1960s: The Era of Intense Storms
High number of typhoons, with over 14 storms in some years.
Many storms were of higher intensity, likely due to favorable oceanic and atmospheric conditions.
1960s to 1980s: A Noticeable Decline
Decline in both the frequency and intensity of typhoons.
Shift from higher to more moderate and lower intensity storms, possibly due to changing climate patterns.
1990s to 2010s: A More Even Spread
Typhoon activity became more balanced with…
Some higher intensity storms returned in the late 1990s but…
Multiple data and trend analysis available in our full article:
Tracking Typhoon Trends in Taiwan: A Data-Driven Analysis
Taiwan's location and geography make it highly vulnerable to frequent typhoons, increasing the risk of landslides and flooding, especially in the eastern regions.
Taiwan’s Weather Update
This Week’s Recap
October 14 (Monday): Mostly cloudy with light showers, 30°C during the day, 23°C at night, rain accumulation around 1.8mm.
October 15 (Tuesday): Mix of sun and clouds, occasional showers, highs of 29°C, lows of 23°C, rainfall around 5.2mm.
October 16 (Wednesday): Partly cloudy, scattered afternoon showers, 28°C during the day, 22°C at night, rain accumulation about 3.1mm.
October 17 (Thursday): Light morning rain, mostly cloudy, 29°C during the day, 22°C at night, rain accumulation around 2mm.
October 18 (Friday): Overcast with light rain, highs of 30°C, lows of 23°C, rainfall around 1.4mm.
October 19 (Saturday): Cloudy with patchy rain, 29°C during the day, 22°C at night, minimal rain around 0.8mm.
October 20 (Sunday): Overcast with occasional showers, 27°C during the day, 21°C at night, rainfall approximately 3.5mm.
Next Week’s Forecast
October 21 (Monday): Partly cloudy with occasional light rain, 28°C during the day, 22°C at night, rain around 1.2mm.
October 22 (Tuesday): Partly cloudy with patchy rain, highs of 29°C, lows of 23°C.
October 23 (Wednesday): Scattered afternoon showers, 28°C during the day, 21°C at night, rain around 3mm.
October 24 (Thursday): Dry day, partly cloudy, highs of 30°C, lows of 22°C.
October 25 (Friday): Cloudy with possible late rain, highs of 29°C, lows of 22°C.
October 26 (Saturday): Light afternoon rain, 28°C during the day, 21°C at night, rain around 1.8mm.
October 27 (Sunday): Overcast with light rain, highs of 26°C, lows of 20°C, rain accumulation around 2.4mm.