TSMC plans major share sale to tackle currency risk

TSMC Global Ltd., the overseas unit of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., said it plans to issue $10 billion of new stock to strengthen its forex hedging amid swings in the Taiwan dollar.

TSMC Global said in a statement, reported by Bloomberg, that this move will help it manage exchange-rate risk. It is the third such deal since 2024 and the largest so far. Like the earlier transactions, this one comes as the Taiwan dollar has strengthened, giving the unit more capital to cover its hedges. TSMC Global is responsible for its overseas investments and hedging.

The Taiwan dollar has climbed recently, raising concerns in Taipei over the economy’s reliance on exports. In May, it posted its biggest single-day gain since the 1980s, spurring the central bank to seek ways to curb speculative trading.

“Generally speaking, the heightened forex volatility would mean that banks may be adjusting their margin requirements,” said Philip McNicholas, Asia sovereign strategist at Robeco in Singapore. “Issuing new shares and bringing in an immediate cash injection may help companies manage margin requirements on both existing and new hedges.”

TSMC is the largest exporter and main chip supplier to Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp. Because most of its production is in Taiwan, a stronger dollar cuts into the U.S. earnings it brings home or forces it to raise overseas prices, which could hurt demand.

In June, Chief Executive Officer C. C. Wei told shareholders that operating margins had fallen by several percentage points due to the stronger local currency.

Last week, TSMC’s US-listed shares fell 2.5 %, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index slid 2 %. Applied Materials dropped 4 % and Dutch equipment maker ASML lost 1.9 %.

In April, the company gave a positive forecast for the year based on AI demand. “Our job is to give customers enough chips, and we’re working hard on that. ‘Working hard’ means it’s not enough,” he said.

When asked about reports that TSMC is eyeing chip factories in the United Arab Emirates, Wei said the company has no such plans.