01. AI may revive PC market, and PC supply chain companies are expected to benefit
The AI PC theme has gradually become the focus of the PC market, and various brand manufacturers have successively launched new AI PC products. It is expected that the second half of the year will enter the AI PC new product cycle, and the traditional peak season will drive NB shipments to strengthen compared with the first half of the year.
02. Global wafer output up by 1.4% in the second quarter
According to the latest SEMI report, global quarterly wafer production capacity has exceeded 40 million wafers so far (calculated on 12-inch wafers). It has already grown by 1.2% in the first quarter of this year and is expected to grow by another 1.4% in the second quarter.
The report pointed out that global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-speed computing (HPC) was strong in the first half of this year, and demand for consumer electronics is slowly recovering, but demand for automobiles and industry is declining. Overall, the semiconductor industry is recovering in the first half of this year, and is more likely to fully recover in the second half of the year
03. Marvell accelerates growth in Vietnam
According to reports, Marvell Technology, Inc. has seen its workforce and operations in Vietnam grow over the past year, ever since the company announced plans to expand its R&D, engineering and design activities in the country.
Marvell committed to 50% growth of its workforce in Vietnam in three years, a target shared by the company during last year’s U.S.-Vietnam Innovation and Investment Summit attended by Marvell Chairman and CEO Matt Murphy. Today, Marvell is ahead of its plans, achieving more than 30% growth in just eight months.
Marvell has also expanded its physical footprint in Vietnam with a new location in Da Nang, adding to its offices in Ho Chi Minh City. The growth of its footprint demonstrates the company’s commitment to creating a world-class semiconductor design hub in the country.
04. Intel’s Lunar Lake Bundled Memory Reportedly Causes Uproar in the PC Supply Chain
On May 20th, Intel announced that the release date for its next-generation processor, Lunar Lake, has been moved up, with official shipments expected in the third quarter. The NPU performance is set to reach 45 TOPS. However, per a report from Economic Daily News, the industry is puzzled by the fact that this chip is bundled with 16GB and 32GB memory, with Intel holding the specification control tightly. Reportedly, this move has disrupted the industry order, and PC manufacturers are said to be privately expressing their dissatisfaction.
05. Foxconn expands North American AI server layout
Foxconn announced on the 22nd that its subsidiary Cloud Network Technology USA Inc. will increase its investment in Foxconn Assembly LLC., a subsidiary of Houston, Texas, for US$14 million. Hon Hai stated that the purpose of the capital increase is for long-term investment. It is speculated that this capital increase may be to expand the AI server production capacity in Texas and expand the layout of Hon Hai AI servers in the North American market.