General-Purpose Chip Demand Lifts Foundry Stocks as UMC Jumps 62%

Semiconductor demand tied to expanding AI data center investment is spreading beyond advanced-process leaders such as TSMC and Samsung into general-purpose chips, driving a joint rebound in foundry shares. According to the source, demand for mature-node chips once seen as outdated has risen rapidly, with related plants running at full capacity. Taiwan’s UMC shares climbed 62% in one month, while U.S.-based GlobalFoundries rose 50%. The move shows that AI infrastructure spending is lifting demand not only for cutting-edge chips but also for a broad range of general-purpose semiconductors. Future foundry earnings and share trends are expected to depend on whether this demand continues. Source: mk.co.kr