➀ GlobalFoundries has been in contact with UMC regarding a potential merger, exploring a partnership two years ago but without progress.

➁ The proposed merger aims to create a larger wafer fabrication company, ensuring the supply of mature process chips in the US and investing in R&D.

➂ UMC and GlobalFoundries rank fourth and fifth in the wafer fabrication market with 5.5% and 4.7% shares respectively in Q4 2024.

➃ The combined revenue would reach $3.7 billion, potentially surpassing Samsung to become the second-largest wafer foundry after TSMC.

➄ Both companies have complementary process technologies and a production footprint across three continents.

➅ The merger faces challenges such as antitrust reviews by regulatory departments and handling agreements with Intel.

➆ UMC responded to the rumors by stating that there are no ongoing merger cases.

➀ Intel has announced that three members of its board of directors will not seek reelection, shifting the board's focus to a more high-tech industry-oriented one.

➁ The departing directors have backgrounds in healthcare and academia, and their departure is seen as a move towards deeper tech expertise.

➂ The new board composition includes a stronger emphasis on industry-specific knowledge, which may help Intel regain its competitive edge.

➀ The global market growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is slowing down, leading to layoffs in the semiconductor industry.

➁ Infineon, the world's largest semiconductor power company, plans to lay off 1400 people and adjust the positions of another 1400.

➂ The rise of Chinese manufacturers, such as BYD, is also impacting the industry, with companies like Renesas Electronics delaying investments.

➀ Multiple SiC companies, including Yangjie Technology, Chongqing Tianke, Tuopu Electronics, and Zhonghengwei, are collaborating to advance the research and production of SiC products.

➁ Zhonghengwei Semiconductor has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Xinhua Semiconductor to focus on SiC wafer manufacturing and module packaging, aiming to achieve a full-chain technical closed loop.

➂ Chongqing Tianke, Pengjin High-tech, and Shangyangtong Technology are working together to develop power device processes based on 8-inch epitax wafers.

➃ Yangjie Technology has signed strategic cooperation意向s with Puxing Electronics and Hantiancheng to create an efficient SiC supply chain.

➄ Tuopu Electronics and Pu Zhou City Industrial Bank have established a joint venture to focus on ultra-high-voltage SiC power chip projects.

➀ SoftBank announced a significant acquisition, purchasing US server CPU company Ampere Computing for $6.5 billion in cash, expected to be completed by the second half of 2025;

➁ Ampere, founded by former Intel executives in 2017, specializes in designing chips for Arm architecture servers and has early customers like Microsoft, Google, ByteDance, and Tencent;

➂ Despite facing financial challenges with three years of cumulative losses of nearly 14 billion RMB, Ampere's technical strength and market potential attracted SoftBank's attention.

➀ Chen Liwu, 65, has been appointed as the new CEO of Intel, marking the first time in Intel's 57-year history that a Chinese has held the position.

➁ Chen is known as the 'Father of Chip Venture Capital' and has founded Walden International, managing over $3 billion in capital and investing in over 500 companies, including many semiconductor companies.

➂ Intel has faced challenges such as declining revenue and market share loss in recent years, prompting the appointment of Chen to lead a strategic shift.

➀ A multi-billion yuan chip merger between Huizheng Technology and Yunying Valley was terminated due to price disagreements.

➁ Yunying Valley, founded by a Harvard graduate, has been focused on semiconductor display chip design and has attracted numerous investors.

➂ The merger failure highlights the challenges in the exit strategy for startups in the semiconductor industry, with many seeking IPOs as an alternative.

➀ Lip-Bu Tan has been appointed as Intel's new CEO, succeeding Pat Gelsinger;

➁ Tan has a strong background in semiconductor and software, and has previously served as CEO of Cadence Design Systems;

➂ Tan emphasizes the importance of engineering and aims to turn around Intel's business.

➀ The CHIPS and Science Act, aimed at strengthening U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, is under threat of repeal by the Trump administration.

➁ The Act has already attracted nearly $450 billion in private investment from leading companies, raising concerns about the impact of its repeal on the U.S. chip market.

➂ Political hurdles and legal obligations make the repeal process complex and challenging.

➀ Liu De-yin has joined Micron Technology's board of directors, bringing his extensive experience in the semiconductor industry to the company.

➁ Liu's impressive career at TSMC, where he rose to the position of chairman, has provided him with a wealth of experience in management and technology.

➂ Micron expects Liu's expertise to help the company expand its business and capitalize on growth opportunities in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the areas of data centers and edge computing.

➀ Shanghai's Xinxiangwei Microelectronics Co., Ltd. plans to purchase the controlling rights of Shenzhen Aoxiesheng Technology Co., Ltd. through issuing shares and paying cash;

➁ Xinxiangwei is a leading domestic display chip supplier and has established good cooperative relations with major panel manufacturers and display module manufacturers;

➂ The acquisition is part of Xinxiangwei's strategy to expand its business through external growth, following its establishment of a new display industry acquisition fund.

➀ The investor community is in a state of uncertainty about Intel's future;

➁ TSMC's preference for building its own fabs over taking over Intel's has raised concerns;

➂ The US administration's view on Intel's capability to be a leading-edge domestic supplier is questioned.

➀ SMIC announced a new investment of 7.5 billion US dollars (about 54.4 billion RMB) to expand production, aiming to challenge the global chip industry's status quo.

➁ The funds will be used for capacity expansion in mature processes like 28nm, technology breakthroughs in advanced processes below 7nm, and enhancing the domestic semiconductor industry's self-sufficiency.

➂ SMIC's goal is to not only become a second TSMC but to create an independent semiconductor supply chain free from US dependence.

➀ The global semiconductor industry is undergoing a shift due to US export control policies, benefiting domestic Chinese manufacturers;

➁ Investment in China's semiconductor industry is highly concentrated in Taiwan and Jiangsu, with significant investment in silicon wafers and third-generation semiconductor materials;

➂ The Chinese semiconductor industry is expected to play a more significant role in global competition with technological breakthroughs and policy support.

➀ The Mainland Affairs Office of the State Council held a regular press conference on February 26th.

➁ A journalist asked about U.S. President Trump's recent statement on Taiwan taking away the U.S. chip business and his warning to Taiwan.

➂ The spokesperson, Zhu Fenglian, commented on the concerns and doubts in Taiwan regarding TSMC becoming 'U.S. TSMC'.

➃ Zhu emphasized that the Taiwan region's semiconductor industry and leading enterprises are treated as a 'door-opener for seeking independence through external forces' and even as 'a gift' handed over to the U.S., leading to growing opposition among Taiwanese citizens and enterprises.

➀ South Korea's Magnachip Semiconductor is seeking to sell after failing to close a $1.4 billion acquisition deal with China's Zhi Lu Capital in 2021 due to U.S. intervention.

➁ Magnachip's stock has been declining due to the long-term downturn in the global display industry, with its market value now at $150.7 million and expected sale price at $27.3 million.

➂ Sumco, a Japanese silicon wafer manufacturer, plans to stop silicon wafer production at its Miyazaki factory by the end of 2026, transforming it into a factory for producing single crystal ingots.

➀ The domestic semiconductor industry, particularly analog chips and MCUs, is experiencing rapid development and a trend towards mergers and acquisitions.

➁ Companies like Gigadevice and South芯 Technology are acquiring smaller firms to expand their product lines and enhance their technological capabilities.

➂ The integration of MCU and analog chips is becoming a major trend, with companies like Naxin Micro and Xinyuan Microcontroller Semiconductor collaborating to offer comprehensive solutions.

➀ TSMC faces challenges due to Trump's tariffs and the potential for additional taxes from the US government.

➁ The Taiwanese semiconductor industry is under pressure to establish more fabs in the US.

➂ Taiwanese fabs like TSMC and United Microelectronics Corporation are struggling with the dual pressures of US tariffs and competition from Chinese mainland fabs.

➃ Taiwanese fabless companies like MediaTek are adapting to geopolitical risks and exploring new markets.

➄ South Korea's semiconductor industry is facing challenges from Chinese competitors and US tariffs.

➅ Both Taiwan and South Korea are seeking a balance between technological innovation and supply chain security.