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SMIC Warns of Q2 Revenue Drop as Production Challenges Mount

China's top chipmaker missed Q1 forecasts, citing disruptions in production and U.S. export controls, while maintaining $7 billion in 2025 capital spending plans.

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A logo of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) is seen at China International Semiconductor Expo (IC China 2020) in Shanghai, China October 14, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

Overview

  • SMIC reported Q1 2025 revenue of $2.24 billion and net income of $188 million, both missing analyst expectations and its own forecasts.
  • The company forecasts a 4–6% sequential revenue decline in Q2 due to production disruptions caused by equipment maintenance and tool validation issues.
  • Despite operational challenges, SMIC achieved 89.6% capacity utilization in Q1, driven by strong domestic demand and government-backed localization efforts.
  • U.S. export controls on advanced ASML tools continue to hinder SMIC's ability to scale advanced-node chip production, impacting yields and growth potential.
  • SMIC plans to sustain $7 billion in capital expenditures for 2025, though Q1 R&D spending dropped to $148.9 million, reflecting resource shifts to address production issues.