Chipmaking revenue up 23 percent in Q2: report

Global semiconductor manufacturing revenue jumped 23 percent in the second quarter to US$18.9 billion as the coronavirus pandemic propelled chip demand from 5G networks, computer upgrades and devices for remote work, researcher TrendForce said in a recent report.

The top five made-to-order chipmakers were TSMC, Samsung, Global Foundries, UMC and SMIC, according to TrendForce.

Despite recent gains, the industry faces uncertainty in the second half from tensions between China and  the US, including the latter’s tech ban on Huawei, TrendForce said.

SMIC recently announced plans to raise 20 billion yuan (US$2.86 billion) in what will be the largest initial public offering on Shanghai’s STAR Market. The placement will help SMIC narrow the tech gap with the other leading players globally.

Huahong, another Chinese mainland chipmaker, ranked No. 9 in the top 10 list, according to TrendForce.