GlobalWafers reported third-quarter net income of NT$1.97 billion ($61 million), down 32% from a year earlier, as currency headwinds and softening demand for mature-node chips offset gains in AI-related segments. Earnings per share fell to NT$4.12 from NT$6.02.
The world’s third-largest silicon wafer maker posted revenue of NT$14.49 billion ($450 million) for the quarter ended September, declining 9.5% sequentially and 8.7% annually. The New Taiwan dollar’s appreciation against the greenback masked more stable performance in dollar terms, where revenue dropped just 6% quarter-over-quarter.
The company’s results reflect a bifurcated semiconductor market. While AI applications drive demand for advanced logic and memory products, recovery in mature-node segments remains sluggish. GlobalWafers’ gross margin compressed to 18.4% from 32.3% a year ago, squeezed by higher depreciation costs tied to its global expansion.
The supplier is ramping facilities in Missouri, Texas, and Italy as customers prioritize regional sourcing over cost considerations. Its Missouri plant began pilot production of silicon-on-insulator wafers this year, targeting mass output in 2026.
GlobalWafers is developing 12-inch silicon carbide wafers for power applications and square silicon wafers to improve material utilization, with both products entering customer sampling stages. The company aims for net-zero emissions by 2050 and recently secured a 30-year offshore wind power agreement.
