Hsinchu, Taiwan, December 06, 2022 – GlobalWafers’ board has declared the cash dividend payment plan for the first half of 2022. GlobalWafers EPS in the first six months of the year was NT$10.25 and will distribute a cash dividend of NT$6.5 per share (NT$5.265 per share from earnings and NT$1.235 per share from capital surplus), a total amount of NT$2.83 billion. January 11, 2023 is the ex-dividend record date, and February 10, 2023 is the cash dividend payment date.
Inflation and declining consumer confidence have weakened demand for consumer goods and shipments of small-sized wafers, resulting in a relatively high inventory level. Through downstream manufacturers’ shipping adjustments, destocking is expected to take place in the first half of next year. Large-sized wafers and special wafers (FZ wafer and SOI wafer) continue robust demand, underpinned by rising sales in the automotive and industry segments. With stimulus packages for EV and net zero carbon emission policies, the compound semiconductor market will expand rapidly. GlobalWafers’ capacity utilization rates for large-sized wafers and special wafers remain fully loaded, while the utilization rate for small-sized wafers has slightly loosened.
By adopting a dual-track expansion strategy including brownfield and greenfield, GlobalWafers targets compound semiconductors and large-sized wafers for advanced processes. Large-sized and special wafers will play a larger role in the product spectrum thus further optimizing GlobalWafers’ product mix. Its brownfield capacity expansion plans are proceeding smoothly in 9 sites across 6 countries, and production will start successively from the second half of 2023 to 2024. Its new 300-milimeter wafer factory in Texas held its groundbreaking ceremony a few days ago, with construction in alignment with customers’ long-term agreements and multi-staged equipment installation. Production is anticipated as early as 2025, matching the timing when the semiconductor industry is rebalanced, and the global economy recovers. With most of its capacity covered by long-term agreements, GlobalWafers is less affected by market fluctuations. Focusing on the long-term momentum of the semiconductor industry, customers continue to sign new long-term agreements with GlobalWafers to secure future supply, with products spanning traditional silicon wafers to niche products like FZ wafers, SOI wafers, and compound semiconductors. By grasping the business opportunities of technology advancements, GlobalWafers further expands its leading advantages and enables its future growth.