http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20091013P...

Claire Sung, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Tuesday 13 October 2009]

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) are expected to implement aggressive capex plans for 2010, when the semiconductor market is likely to stage a turnaround, according to sources at the companies.

TSMC has tentatively set a capex target of US$3 billion for 2010, a 30% increase compared to US$2.3 billion allocated for 2009, while UMC internally has estimated its 2010 capex will double to US$1 billion from the 2009 level of US$500 million, the sources said.

Both TSMC and UMC have allocated large portions of their 2009 budgets for 45/40nm foundry capacity, industry sources commented, adding that ramping production on the processes through 12-inch facility expansion will remain a focus in 2010.

SEMI has forecast chip fab spending will rise 64% to US$24 billion in 2010, following a 50.7% drop in 2009.

TSMC and UMC are scheduled to hold their investors conferences on October 29 and October 28, respectively, to announce third-quarter results and disclose guidance for the fourth quarter.