The world’s top 10 foundries generated nearly $53.49 billion in combined revenue in the second quarter, up 11.5% from the previous quarter and marking another record high, according to TrendForce research published on Sept. 9.
TrendForce said the main drivers were continued tight supply for advanced process technologies used in AI and high-performance computing processors, along with stronger demand for AI-adjacent chips such as PMICs and power discrete devices. Pull-in demand from consumer supply chains covering TVs, PCs and notebooks also tightened parts of mature-node capacity.
TSMC nears $40.2 billion in revenue as 2nm contributes for the first time
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. posted close to $40.2 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 12.1% quarter over quarter, with market share reaching 72.5%.
TrendForce said demand for AI server GPUs and XPUs kept TSMC’s 5/4nm and 3nm capacity fully utilized. Early inventory build for the new iPhone also supported sales, while 2nm made its first revenue contribution during the quarter. Wafer shipments and average selling prices both increased from the prior quarter.
ABMedia noted that Chain News had previously reported TSMC’s August revenue surpassed NT$514.8 billion, also a record high.
Samsung stays in second place while SMIC closes in
Samsung Foundry ranked second with $3.26 billion in revenue, up 1.8% from the previous quarter. TrendForce said new advanced-node orders, including base dies for HBM, gradually increased during the quarter. Foundry pricing for 5/4nm and more advanced nodes also moved higher. Even so, Samsung’s market share fell to 5.9% because rivals grew faster.
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. ranked third after second-quarter revenue rose 20% to more than $3 billion. Its market share climbed to 5.4%, narrowing the gap with Samsung Foundry.
TrendForce said SMIC’s growth came from several directions: pull-in demand from consumer supply chains, especially PCs and notebooks, plus steady increases in orders for AI-related ICs and server networking products. A broad memory shortage also lifted foundry demand and pricing for NAND and NOR Flash.
UMC, GlobalFoundries and the rest of the top 10
United Microelectronics Corp. held fourth place with a 3.9% market share. Its second-quarter revenue rose 12.7% to nearly $2.18 billion. TrendForce said pull-in demand in the first half for PCs, notebooks and some consumer electronics, along with increased orders for server-related products such as FPGAs, supported the result. Higher 8-inch fab utilization also helped.
GlobalFoundries ranked fifth with about $1.79 billion in revenue and a 3.2% market share. Growth came from restocking by consumer customers and increased demand for AI and server peripheral components including power ICs, TIAs and drivers.
Huahong Group ranked sixth with more than $1.27 billion in revenue. TrendForce said stable orders for NOR Flash and AI-related PMICs, along with earlier wafer price increases, showed up more clearly in revenue and average selling prices. New capacity from subsidiary HHGrace also contributed.
Tower ranked seventh with $460 million in revenue. Vanguard International Semiconductor returned to eighth place on the back of pull-in demand and increased orders for AI-related peripheral ICs, handset PMICs and power products. Nexchip posted revenue of $447 million, up 6.4%, but slipped to ninth because its growth lagged AI-related power products. Powerchip ranked 10th with revenue of $432 million, up 11.9%.
Top 10 foundries in 2Q26
| Rank | Company | 2Q26 revenue | QoQ change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TSMC | about $40.2 billion | 12.1% |
| 2 | Samsung Foundry | $3.26 billion | 1.8% |
| 3 | SMIC | more than $3 billion | 20% |
| 4 | UMC | nearly $2.18 billion | 12.7% |
| 5 | GlobalFoundries | about $1.79 billion | 9.3% |
| 6 | Huahong Group | more than $1.27 billion | 3.5% |
| 7 | Tower | $460 million | 11.2% |
| 8 | Vanguard International Semiconductor | $451 million | 13.8% |
| 9 | Nexchip | $447 million | 6.4% |
| 10 | Powerchip | $432 million | 11.9% |
Third-quarter outlook
Looking to the third quarter, TrendForce said consumer IC design clients are expected to keep wafer starts steady because they are concerned that mature-node capacity will remain tight and wafer prices may rise. Seasonal stocking for flagship smartphones and volume growth from a new generation of AI and HPC platforms could also lift foundry revenue.