Based on the latest survey conducted by TrendForce, in the third quarter of 2025, the global wafer foundry industry witnessed a notable surge in the revenue contribution from high-priced wafers manufactured through advanced processes of 7nm (inclusive) and below. This growth was primarily fueled by the escalating demand for AI high-performance computing (HPC) chips, as well as main and peripheral integrated circuits (ICs) for cutting-edge consumer electronics products. In the meantime, certain manufacturers capitalized on business prospects emerging from supply chain diversification. As a result, the aggregated revenue of the top 10 wafer foundries in the third quarter soared by 8.1% sequentially, nearing a staggering US$45.1 billion.

The institution highlighted that, influenced by the international landscape, market sentiment and demand expectations are anticipated to experience fluctuations in 2026. Moreover, starting from mid-2025, memory prices have been on an upward trajectory on a quarterly basis, accompanied by tight capacity. This scenario has prompted the supply chain to adopt a cautious stance regarding the demand for mainstream terminal applications in 2026. Although the automotive and industrial control sectors are projected to resume inventory accumulation by the end of 2025, the growth momentum in wafer foundry capacity utilization during the fourth quarter is expected to be constrained. Consequently, the quarterly growth rate in the combined output value of the top 10 manufacturers may witness a substantial deceleration.