TSMC's dominant share of the global pure-play foundry market is hardening a structure in which big tech customers have less leverage in price talks. Counterpoint Research put TSMC's second-quarter share at 73 percent, with Samsung Electronics' foundry business at 7 percent. The market grew 29 percent year on year, and both TSMC and Samsung raised wafer prices. Analysts cited capacity constraints and supply-demand imbalances. Samsung is prioritising yield improvements and expanding capacity, including a planned 2027 start-up of its Taylor, Texas plant.

More than a month after South Korea began enforcing guidelines that ban duplicate listings in principle while allowing exceptions, some long-delayed listing reviews have resumed and IPO supply in September is expected to increase. Investor appetite for IPOs remains weak, with most newly listed firms in August trading below their offer prices. New rules impose duties on parent boards and require subsidiary independence, while market watchers cite softer demand in bookbuilding and subscriptions.