Text | Sister group
Edit | Sister group
Lithography machine boss ASML cried miserably: I really didn't expect Chinese companies to be so good!
Do you know there's a big event going on in tech lately? The Dutch lithography machine boss ASML, the company that is calling for wind and rain in the semiconductor industry, has been crying miserably recently! Why? Because its profits have plummeted by 40%! As soon as this news came out, the entire technology circle exploded.
Here's the thing, on June 8, ASML announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2024. I thought I could continue to make a lot of money, but I didn't expect the profit to drop by 40% year-on-year! This is undoubtedly a huge blow to ASML. You know, ASML is the world's leading supplier of lithography machines, and its products are essential for manufacturing high-end chips. However, due to changes in the market environment and the rise of competitors, ASML is now facing unprecedented challenges.
So, how did ASML's CEO Peter Wennink respond? He said on an earnings call on June 8 that they underestimated the potential of the Chinese market and the innovation capabilities of Chinese companies. He even admits that they did not expect Chinese companies to develop their lithography technology so quickly and seize market share. This reminds me of the saying: "To underestimate your opponent is to dig a hole for yourself".
ASML's share of the global lithography machine market fell from 85% in 2023 to 75% in the first quarter of 2024, according to market research institutes. At the same time, Chinese companies such as Shanghai Microelectronics Equipment Group and Huawei's Hubble Capital are actively developing their own lithography technology and have made significant progress. This reminds me of the Internet catchphrase: "The back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, and the front waves crash on the beach".
Speaking of which, I am reminded of another hot topic, which is the U.S. chip restrictions on China. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. businesses need to obtain a license when exporting certain types of chips to China. The restrictions are designed to curb China's rise in semiconductors, but they also have a negative impact on global supply chains. This reminds me of the saying: "Kill a thousand, lose eight hundred".
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a new export control measure on June 5 that added 12 Chinese companies to the Entity List, restricting their access to U.S. technology. The move has heightened tensions between China and the United States and created uncertainty for the global semiconductor industry. This reminds me of the Internet catchphrase: "If the city gate is on fire, the fish in the pond will be affected".
Due to U.S. restrictions, there has been a disruption in the global semiconductor supply chain, leading to chip shortages and price increases. This has had a serious impact on industries that rely on imported chips, such as automotive manufacturing and consumer electronics. This reminds me of the famous saying: "Science and technology are the primary productive forces".
In addition to ASML's woes and U.S. restrictions, Chinese investment in semiconductors has been a hot topic of recent development. According to Chinese media reports, the Chinese government announced a new investment plan on June 7 that will invest hundreds of billions of yuan to support the development of domestic semiconductor companies. This plan aims to strengthen China's independent innovation capabilities in the semiconductor field and promote the upgrading of related industries. It reminds me of the Internet catchphrase: "Money makes the devil grind".
According to official data, the Chinese government plans to invest more than 1 trillion yuan in the next five years to support the development of the semiconductor industry. The investment will be used to build a new chip manufacturing plant, R&D center and talent development programs. This reminds me of the famous saying: "Investing in the future is investing in hope".
What I want to say is that whether it's ASML's predicament, or the U.S. restrictions, or China's investment plans, they all reflect the fact that the semiconductor industry is a competitive and challenging industry. In this industry, only companies that are constantly innovating and improving can survive. This reminds me of the Internet buzzword: "Sail against the current, if you don't advance, you will retreat".
So, let's look forward to the future development of the semiconductor industry! I believe that in the near future, we will see more rising stars like Chinese companies shining in the semiconductor field! Come on, Chinese enterprises! Come on, tech industry! Let's witness the miracle happening together! #头条首发必备指南 ##头条创作挑战赛#