Three Misconceptions About the $402B Semiconductor Foundry Industry

By Pierre Cambou, Yole Développement
EE Times | April 13, 2026

The global semiconductor foundry industry has reached an estimated $402 billion in 2026, reflecting both the scale and the structural complexity of modern semiconductor manufacturing, according to Yole Group’s latest report, “Status of the Semiconductor Foundry Industry 2026.” Foundries now sit at the crossroads of geopolitics and the AI capex boom, but do we really understand what they are about?

Advanced nodes or leading edge: Why it matters

It is widely cited that TSMC holds about 72% share of the global semiconductor foundry market and more than 90% of advanced chips. Such statements and figures only partially reflect TSMC’s true position. Its dominance at the leading edge is often understated due to inconsistent definitions of “advanced.”

To read the full article, click here