Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s quarterly sales topped estimates, reinforcing investor hopes that the torrid pace of AI hardware spending will extend into 2025.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. posted December quarter revenue that topped analyst estimates as the company continues to get a boost from the AI boom. TSMC manufacturers semiconductors for some of the world's biggest companies from Apple to Nvidia.

Taiwan's dominance in semiconductor and AI server production has led to unprecedented trade figures with the United States. While initial forecasts predicted a US$59 billion surplus, the latest data from Taiwan's Ministry of Finance released on January 9,

Taiwan’s trade surplus with the US surged to a record high in 2024, a haul that could rankle President-elect Donald Trump as he returns to the White House on a mission to eliminate America’s imbalances in commerce.