TSMC stock hits record high as AI chip demand lifts Taiwan market

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. set a new personal best on October 5, 2026. Its shares touched an intraday high of NT$2,580 before closing at NT$2,575, up 3% on the day and at an all-time record.

The move lifted TSMC’s market capitalization to approximately NT$66.9 trillion, or around US$2.5 trillion.

The numbers behind the record

TSMC had company at the top. The Taiwan Weighted Index, better known as TAIEX, also posted a record close, finishing at 49,712.04 after a 2.55% gain.

Trading volume on the index topped NT$1.15 trillion.

Two forces drove the rally. The first was a rebound in US technology stocks, which gave the wider chip sector a lift. The second was continued demand tied to artificial intelligence. AI developers keep looking to TSMC for its most advanced chips and its contract manufacturing services.

Year to date, TSMC shares have gained more than 55-60%.

Revenue is doing the heavy lifting

TSMC’s August sales jumped 53% compared with the same month a year earlier.

For the full year, TSMC’s 2026 revenue growth is projected at slightly above 40% in US dollar terms.

TSMC is also spending heavily to keep pace. Its capital expenditure guidance sits between US$60 billion and US$64 billion.

The backdrop: AI demand and potential new partners

Potential collaborations are adding to the optimism. Among them are discussions with Elon Musk’s Terafab about a manufacturing facility in Texas. Those talks remain discussions, not a signed deal.

What this means for investors

TSMC is set to release its September sales figures on October 8, followed by third-quarter earnings on October 15.

The capex guidance deserves attention too. Spending between US$60 billion and US$64 billion only pays off if AI demand stays strong.

The Terafab discussions are worth tracking as well. Any formal agreement on a Texas facility would expand TSMC’s footprint.