Applied Materials reported US$6.8 billion in revenue for the quarter ended October 26 in FY25, a 3% year-over-year decline but still ahead of the US$6.68 billion market forecast. The company warned that widening US export controls could curb China’s semiconductor equipment spending in 2026, creating the largest risk to its growth outlook.

Taiwan’s electric vehicle market (EV) is poised for a wave of new launches in the second half of 2025, with the upcoming Luxgen N5, based on Foxtron’s Model B platform, attracting the most attention. Rumors have circulated that the N5’s launch schedule could be altered. In response, Luxgen’s public relations team told DIGITIMES that future product plans will be officially announced at the appropriate time.

SMIC posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter results as China’s surging AI investment and state-backed chip localisation fuelled earnings. Beijing’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency, set against sharpening US-China competition in AI, continued to support demand across both advanced and mature manufacturing nodes.

SMIC warns that an emerging memory shortage could disrupt production of cars, smartphones, and consumer electronics as early as 2026. Co-CEO Zhao Haijun said Chinese manufacturers have become more cautious about first-quarter 2026 orders because they are unsure they can secure sufficient memory. Rising demand from AI workloads is expected to push memory prices higher and add to market uncertainty.