UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM20-F
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152019
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period fromto
OR
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period fromto
Commission file number1-14700
台灣積體電路製造股份有限公司
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited | Republic of China | |
(Translation of Registrant’s Name Into English) | (Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
No. 8,Li-Hsin Road 6
Hsinchu Science Park
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Republic of China
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Wendell Huang, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer & Spokesperson
Telephone:886-3-5055901 / Email: invest@tsmc.com
No. 8,Li-Hsin Road 6, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China
(Name, Telephone,E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||
Common Shares, par value NT$10.00 each* | TSM | The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
As of December 31, 2015,2019, 25,930,380,458 Common Shares, par value NT$10 each were outstanding.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x☒ No¨ ☐
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or (15)(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ¨☐ No x☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x☒ No ¨☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨☒ No ¨☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer.an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and large accelerated filer”“emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer ☒ | Accelerated Filer ☐ | Non-Accelerated Filer ☐ | Emerging Growth Company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. (Check one):☐
Large Accelerated Filer x Accelerated Filer ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer ¨†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board | Other |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 ¨☐ Item 18¨☐
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨☐ No x☒
* | Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. of American Depositary Shares (“ADS”) representing such Common Shares |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
Page | ||||||||
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION | 1 | |||||||
PART I | 2 | |||||||
ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS | 2 | ||||||
ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE | 2 | ||||||
ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION | 2 | ||||||
ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY | 12 | ||||||
ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | |||||||
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWS AND PROSPECTS | |||||||
ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES | |||||||
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS | 39 | ||||||
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||||||
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING | 42 | ||||||
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 43 | ||||||
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS | 56 | ||||||
ITEM 12D. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES | 57 | ||||||
PART II | ||||||||
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES | |||||||
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
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ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | |||||||||
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT | |||||||||
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS | |||||||||
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | |||||||||
ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES | |||||||||
ITEM 16E. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS | |||||||||
ITEM 16F. | CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT | |||||||||
ITEM 16G. | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | |||||||||
ITEM 16H. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE | |||||||||
PART III | ||||||||||
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |||||||||
ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | |||||||||
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS |
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EX-2a.1 DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT |
EX-3.2 RULES AND PROCEDURES OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS |
EX-4.3 LAND LEASE WITH SOUTHERN TAIWAN SCIENCE PARK ADMINISTRATION |
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EX-4.38 LAND LEASE WITH SOUTHERN TAIWAN SCIENCE PARK ADMINISTRATION |
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EX-4.40 LAND LEASE WITH HSINCHU SCIENCE PARK ADMINISTRATION |
EX-8.1 SUBSIDIARIES OF TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD. |
EX-12.1 CERTIFICATION OF |
EX-12.2 |
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EX-13.1 CERTIFICATION OF |
EX-13.2 |
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EX-101.SCH XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT |
EX-101.CAL XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
EX-101.DEF XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
EX-101.LAB XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
EX-101.PRE XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT |
“TSMC”, “tsmc”, “Open Innovation Platform”, “CyberShuttle”, “CoWoS”, and Open Innovation Platform (“OIP”)“TSMC-SoIC®” are some of our registered trademarks used by us in various jurisdictions, including the United States of America. All rights reserved.
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This annual report includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. The terms “anticipates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should” and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places throughout this annual report and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industries in which we operate.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industries in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this annual report. Important factors that could cause those differences include, but are not limited to:
the volatility of the semiconductor and electronics industry;
overcapacity in the semiconductor industry;
outlook of the major and emerging end markets for our products, such as smartphones, high performance computing, Internet of things (“IoT”), automotive electronics and digital consumer electronics (“DCE”);
our ability to develop new technologies successfully and remain a technological leader;
the increased competition from other companies and our ability to retain and increase our market share;
our reliance on certain major customers;
our ability to generate growth and profitability;
our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel;
our ability to acquire required equipment and supplies necessary to meet business needs;
fluctuations in foreign currency rates, in particular, any material appreciation of the NT dollar against the U.S. dollar, and our reliance on certain major customers;ability to manage such risks;
the political stability of our local region; and
general local and global economic conditions.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our strategy and future plans, future business condition and financial results, our capital expenditure plans, our capacity management plans, expectations as to the commercial production using 10/7-nanometer5-nanometer and more advanced technologies, technological upgrades, investment in research and development, future market demand, future regulatory or other developments in our industry, business expansion plans or new investments as well as business acquisitions and financing plans. Please see “Item 3. Key Information —– Risk Factors” for a further discussion of certain factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by our forward-looking statements.
As used in this annual report, all references to “we”, “us”, the “Company” and “TSMC” are to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries.
ITEM 1. | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE |
Not applicable.
ITEM 3. | KEY INFORMATION |
Selected Financial and Operating Data
The selected consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income data and other consolidated financial data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 20142017, 2018 and 2015,2019, and the selected consolidated statements of financial position data as of December 31, 20142018 and 2015,2019, set forth below, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included herein, and should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, these consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards or “IFRSs”(IFRS), asInternational Accounting Standards (IAS), IFRIC Interpretations (IFRIC), and SIC Interpretations (SIC) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board or “IASB”(IASB) (collectively, “IFRSs”). The selected consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income data and other consolidated financial data for the yearyears ended December 31, 20122015 and 2016 and the selected consolidated statements of financial position data as of December 31, 20122015, 2016 and 2013,2017 set forth below are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included herein. Since 2013, our audited consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with IFRSs, pursuant to the transitional relief granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of the first-time adoption of IFRSs, we have only provided financial statements and financial information for the financial years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Additionally, financial data as of and for the year ended December 31, 2011 derived from our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted (“GAAP” or “R.O.C. GAAP”) in the Republic of China (“R.O.C.” or “Taiwan”) have not been included below.
In addition to preparing financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB included in this annual report, we also prepare financial statements in accordance with the IFRSs as adopted for use in Taiwan (“Taiwan-IFRSs”), which we are required to file with the Financial Supervisory Commission (“FSC”) of the Republic of China (“R.O.C.” or “Taiwan”) and Taiwan Stock Exchange (“TWSE”) under the applicable regulations and listing rules of the TWSE. Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Reviews and Prospects – First Time Adoption of IFRSs” for more details.The English translationstranslation of such financial statements areis furnished to the SECSecurities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form6-K, which areis not incorporated by reference to this or any of our previous annual reports on Form20-F.
Year ended and as of December 31, | Year ended and as of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for percentages, earnings per share and per ADS) | (in millions, except for earnings per share and per ADS) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data: | Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data: |
| Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss and Other Comprehensive Income Data: |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue | 506,745 | 597,024 | 762,806 | 843,497 | 25,724 | 843,497 | 947,938 | 977,447 | 1,031,474 | 1,069,985 | 35,774 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue | (262,592 | ) | (315,642 | ) | (385,113 | ) | (433,117 | ) | (13,209 | ) | (433,117 | ) | (473,077 | ) | (482,616 | ) | (533,488 | ) | (577,286 | ) | (19,301 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit before realized (unrealized) gross profit on sales to associates | 244,153 | 281,382 | 377,693 | 410,380 | 12,515 | 410,380 | 474,861 | 494,831 | 497,986 | 492,699 | 16,473 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized (unrealized) gross profit on sales to associates | (25 | ) | (21 | ) | 29 | 15 | 1 | 15 | (29 | ) | (5 | ) | (112 | ) | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross profit | 244,128 | 281,361 | 377,722 | 410,395 | 12,516 | 410,395 | 474,832 | 494,826 | 497,874 | 492,702 | 16,473 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | (62,517 | ) | (71,339 | ) | (80,849 | ) | (88,467 | ) | (2,698 | ) | (88,467 | ) | (96,904 | ) | (107,902 | ) | (112,149 | ) | (119,505 | ) | (3,995 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating income and expenses, net | (449 | ) | 47 | (1,002 | ) | (1,880 | ) | (57 | ) | (1,880 | ) | 30 | (1,365 | ) | (2,101 | ) | (496 | ) | (17 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income from operations | 181,162 | 210,069 | 295,871 | 320,048 | 9,761 | 320,048 | 377,958 | 385,559 | 383,624 | 372,701 | 12,461 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-operating income and expenses, net | 499 | 5,893 | 6,203 | 30,430 | 928 | 30,430 | 7,964 | 10,603 | 13,919 | 17,161 | 574 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income before income tax | 181,661 | 215,962 | 302,074 | 350,478 | 10,689 | 350,478 | 385,922 | 396,162 | 397,543 | 389,862 | 13,035 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (22,375 | ) | (32,112 | ) | (47,890 | ) | (47,645 | ) | (1,453 | ) | (47,645 | ) | (54,125 | ) | (51,123 | ) | (34,437 | ) | (35,835 | ) | (1,199 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | 159,286 | 183,850 | 254,184 | 302,833 | 9,236 | 302,833 | 331,797 | 345,039 | 363,106 | 354,027 | 11,836 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of income tax | 4,261 | 16,359 | 11,805 | (14,714 | ) | (449 | ) | (14,714 | ) | (11,067 | ) | (28,822 | ) | 9,837 | (11,824 | ) | (395 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year | 163,547 | 200,209 | 265,989 | 288,119 | 8,787 | 288,119 | 320,730 | 316,217 | 372,943 | 342,203 | 11,441 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent | 159,481 | 183,978 | 254,302 | 302,851 | 9,236 | 302,851 | 331,714 | 344,998 | 363,053 | 353,948 | 11,834 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (195 | ) | (128 | ) | (118 | ) | (18 | ) | (0 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests | (18 | ) | 83 | 41 | 53 | 79 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income attributable to shareholders of the parent | 163,692 | 200,343 | 266,091 | 288,145 | 8,788 | 288,145 | 320,653 | 316,182 | 372,887 | 342,125 | 11,438 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (145 | ) | (134 | ) | (102 | ) | (26 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | 6.15 | 7.10 | 9.81 | 11.68 | 0.36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share | 6.15 | 7.10 | 9.81 | 11.68 | 0.36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per ADS equivalent | 30.76 | 35.48 | 49.04 | 58.40 | 1.78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per ADS equivalent | 30.75 | 35.48 | 49.04 | 58.40 | 1.78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic weighted average shares outstanding | 25,921 | 25,928 | 25,929 | 25,930 | 25,930 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 25,928 | 25,930 | 25,930 | 25,930 | 25,930 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable tonon-controlling interests | (26 | ) | 77 | 35 | 56 | 78 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic/Diluted earnings per share | 11.68 | 12.79 | 13.30 | 14.00 | 13.65 | 0.46 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic/Diluted earnings per ADS equivalent | 58.40 | 63.96 | 66.52 | 70.01 | 68.25 | 2.28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic/Diluted weighted average shares outstanding | 25,930 | 25,930 | 25,930 | 25,930 | 25,930 | 25,930 |
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data: Current assets Long-term investments(1) Property, plant and equipment Intangible assets Total assets Current liabilities Hedging derivative financial liabilities Guarantee deposits Long-term bonds payable Net defined benefit liability Total liabilities Capital stock Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent Noncontrolling interests Cash dividend per common share(2) (in millions, except for percentages and operating data) Other Consolidated Financial Data: Gross margin Operating margin Net margin Capital expenditures Depreciation and amortization Cash generated by operating activities Cash used in investing activities Cash generated by (used in) financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes and others Net increase (decrease) in cash Operating Data: Wafer (300mm equivalent) shipment(3) Billing Utilization Rate(4) Year ended and as of December 31, 2012 2013 2014 2015 NT$ NT$ NT$ NT$ US$ (in millions, except for cash dividend per common share) 250,326 358,487 626,566 746,744 22,774 65,723 89,024 29,860 34,873 1,064 617,562 792,666 818,199 853,470 26,028 10,960 11,490 13,531 14,066 429 961,344 1,262,801 1,494,853 1,657,397 50,546 158,103 203,974 224,785 239,772 7,313 – 5,482 – – – 204 152 25,538 21,565 658 80,000 210,768 213,674 191,965 5,854 6,781 6,802 6,568 7,448 227 247,749 428,688 472,492 462,427 14,103 259,245 259,286 259,297 259,304 7,908 711,052 833,846 1,022,234 1,194,008 36,414 2,543 267 127 962 29 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.5 0.1 Year ended and as of December 31, 2012 2013 2014 2015 NT$ NT$ NT$ NT$ US$ 48.2% 47.1% 49.5% 48.7% 48.7% 35.8% 35.2% 38.8% 37.9% 37.9% 31.5% 30.8% 33.3% 35.9% 35.9% 246,137 287,595 288,540 257,517 7,854 131,349 156,182 200,252 222,506 6,786 284,963 347,384 421,524 529,879 16,160 (269,318 ) (281,054 ) (282,421 ) (217,246 ) (6,625 ) (13,589 ) 32,106 (32,328 ) (116,734 ) (3,560 ) (2,118 ) 849 8,979 8,341 254 (62 ) 99,285 115,754 204,240 6,229 6,242 6,963 8,263 8,763 8,763 91% 91% 97% 93% 93%
Year ended and as of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for cash dividend per common share) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current assets | 746,744 | 817,729 | 857,203 | 951,680 | 822,614 | 27,503 | ||||||||||||||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 853,470 | 997,778 | 1,062,543 | 1,072,050 | 1,352,377 | 45,215 | ||||||||||||||||||
Right-of-use assets(1) | — | — | — | — | 17,233 | 576 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intangible assets | 14,066 | 14,615 | 14,175 | 17,002 | 20,653 | 691 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred income tax assets | 6,385 | 8,271 | 12,106 | 16,806 | 17,928 | 599 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total assets | 1,657,397 | 1,886,297 | 1,991,732 | 2,090,031 | 2,264,725 | 75,718 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities | 239,772 | 348,286 | 386,890 | 356,837 | 598,364 | 20,005 | ||||||||||||||||||
Guarantee deposits | 21,565 | 14,670 | 7,587 | 3,353 | 177 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term bonds payable | 191,965 | 153,094 | 91,800 | 56,900 | 25,100 | 839 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities | 462,427 | 526,451 | 497,285 | 428,926 | 650,338 | 21,743 | ||||||||||||||||||
Capital stock | 259,304 | 259,304 | 259,304 | 259,304 | 259,304 | 8,669 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity attributable to shareholders of the parent | 1,194,008 | 1,359,051 | 1,493,747 | 1,660,429 | 1,613,706 | 53,952 | ||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 962 | 795 | 700 | 676 | 681 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividend paid per common share(2) | 4.5 | 6.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 10.0 | 0.3 |
Year ended and as of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except for percentages and operating data) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Consolidated Financial Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | 48.7% | 50.1% | 50.6% | 48.3% | 46.0% | 46.0% | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating margin | 37.9% | 39.9% | 39.4% | 37.2% | 34.8% | 34.8% | ||||||||||||||||||
Net margin | 35.9% | 35.0% | 35.3% | 35.2% | 33.1% | 33.1% | ||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 257,517 | 328,045 | 330,588 | 315,582 | 460,422 | 15,394 | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 222,506 | 223,828 | 260,143 | 292,546 | 286,884 | 9,592 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash generated by operating activities | 529,879 | 539,835 | 585,318 | 573,954 | 615,139 | 20,566 | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash used in investing activities | (217,246) | (395,440) | (336,165) | (314,269) | (458,802) | (15,339) | ||||||||||||||||||
Cash used in financing activities | (116,734) | (157,800) | (215,697) | (245,124) | (269,639) | (9,015) | ||||||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes and others | 8,341 | (8,030) | (21,318) | 9,862 | (9,114) | (305) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash | 204,240 | (21,435) | 12,138 | 24,423 | (122,416) | (4,093) | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating Data: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wafer(12-inch equivalent) shipment(3) | 8,763 | 9,606 | 10,449 | 10,752 | 10,068 | 10,068 | ||||||||||||||||||
Billing utilization rate(4) | 93% | 92% | 91% | 87% | 81% | 81% |
(1) | Starting from 2019, we applied the guidance of IFRS 16 “Leases” (“IFRS 16”) and recognizedright-of-use assets for |
(2) | Prior to 2019, “Cash dividend paid per common share” was approved |
(3) | In thousands. |
(4) | “Billing |
Exchange Rates
We publish our financial statements in New Taiwan dollars, the lawful currency of the R.O.C. In this annual report, “$”, “US$” and “U.S. dollars” mean United States dollars, the lawful currency of the United States, and “NT$” and “NT dollars” mean New Taiwan dollars. This annual report contains translations of certain NT dollar amounts into U.S. dollars at specified rates solely for the convenience of the reader. The translations from NT dollars to U.S. dollars and from U.S. dollars to NT dollars were made by the exchange rate as set forth in the statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. Unless otherwise noted, all translations for the year 20152019 were made at the exchange rate as of December 31, 2015,2019, which was NT$32.7929.91 to US$1.00. On April 1, 2016, the exchange rate was NT$32.26 to US$1.00.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning the number of NT dollars for which one U.S. dollar could be exchanged.
NT dollars per U.S. dollar | ||||||||||||||||
Average(1) | High | Low | Period-End | |||||||||||||
2012 | 29.47 | 29.91 | 29.05 | 29.05 | ||||||||||||
2013 | 29.73 | 30.03 | 29.42 | 29.83 | ||||||||||||
2014 | 30.38 | 31.60 | 29.87 | 31.60 | ||||||||||||
2015 | 31.80 | 32.98 | 30.64 | 32.79 | ||||||||||||
October 2015 | 32.44 | 32.81 | 31.92 | 32.46 | ||||||||||||
November 2015 | 32.61 | 32.87 | 32.43 | 32.53 | ||||||||||||
December 2015 | 32.79 | 33.01 | 32.53 | 32.79 | ||||||||||||
January 2016 | 33.43 | 33.74 | 33.14 | 33.43 | ||||||||||||
February 2016 | 33.24 | 33.51 | 32.95 | 33.22 | ||||||||||||
March 2016 | 32.59 | 33.09 | 32.16 | 32.18 | ||||||||||||
April 2016 (through April 1, 2016) | 32.26 | 32.26 | 32.26 | 32.26 |
No representation is made that the NT dollar or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or NT dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable.
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
Risk Factors
We wish to caution readers that the following important factors, and those important factors described in other reports submitted to, or filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission, among other factors, could affect our actual results and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf, and that such factors may adversely affect our business and financial status and therefore the value of your investment:
Risks Relating to Our Business
Any global systemic political, economic and financial crisis (as well as the indirect effects flowing therefrom) could negatively affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.
In recent times, several major systemic political, economic and financial crises negatively affected global business, banking and financial sectors, including the semiconductor industry and markets. Most recently, since 2018, there have been political and trade tensions among a number of the world’s major economies. These typestensions have resulted in the implementation of crises,tariff andnon-tariff trade barriers, including the prolongeduse of export control restrictions against certain countries and individual companies. These trade barriers have been particularly impactful to the semiconductor industry and related markets. Prolonged or increased use of trade barriers may result in a decrease in economicthe growth or insolvency of major countries,global economy and semiconductor industry, and could cause turmoil in global markets that often result in declines in electronic products sales from which we generate our income through our products and services. For example, thereAlso, any increase in the use of export control restrictions to target certain countries and companies, any expansion of the extraterritorial jurisdiction of export control laws, or complete or partial ban on semiconductor products sales to certain companies could be knock-on effects from these types of crises onimpact not only our business, including significant decreasesability to continue supplying products to those customers, but also our customers’ demand for our products, and could even lead to changes in orders from our customers; insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays; inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of our products; customer insolvencies; and counterparty failures negatively impacting our treasury operations. semiconductor supply chains.
Any future systemic political, economic or financial crisis or market volatility, including but not limited to, interest rate fluctuation, inflation or deflation and changes in economic, fiscal and monetary policies in major economies, could cause revenuesrevenue or profits for the semiconductor industry as a whole to decline dramatically, and if the economic conditions or financial conditionconditions of our customers were to deteriorate, the demand for our products and services may decrease and additional accounting related allowances may be required, in the future and such additional allowanceswhich could reduce our operating income and net income. Further, in times of market instability, sufficient external financing may not be available to us on a timely basis, on commercially reasonable terms to us, or at all. If sufficient external financing is not available when we need such financing to meet our capital requirements, we may be forced to curtail our expansion, modify plans or delay the deployment of new or expanded services until we obtain such financing. Thus, further escalation of trade tensions, the use of export control restrictions as anon-tariff trade barrier or any future global economicsystemic crisis could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Since we are dependent onOur global manufacturing, design and sales activities subject us to risks associated with political, economic or other conditions or developments in various jurisdictions, including in particular the highly cyclical semiconductorR.O.C., as well as in international trade, which could negatively affect our business and electronics industries, which have experienced significantfinancial status and sometimes prolonged periodstherefore the market value of downturns and overcapacity, our revenues, earnings and margins may fluctuate significantly.your investment.
The electronics industriesmajority of our principal executive officers and semiconductor marketour principal production facilities are cyclicallocated in the R.O.C., and subjectthe majority of our net revenue is derived from our operations in the R.O.C. In addition, we have operations worldwide and a significant percentage of our revenue comes from sales to significantlocations outside the R.O.C. Operating in the R.O.C. and often rapid increasesoverseas exposes us to changes in laws, rules, regulations and decreasesthe enforcements of such laws, rules and regulations in product demand. Our semiconductor foundrycertain key areas that would have a material impact on our operations, such as intellectual property, antitrust, export control, import restrictions, and trade barriers or disputes, as well as the general political, economic and social conditions, outbreak of war or hostilities, terrorism, security risks, social unrests, protests, strikes, health conditions and possible disruptions in transportation networks, in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, which could result in an adverse effect on our business is affected by market conditionsoperations in such highly cyclical electronicsjurisdictions and our results of operations as well as the market price and the liquidity of our ADSs and common shares. Any major change in economic, fiscal and/or trade policies in the U.S. from which we derive a substantial portion of our revenue or in another major jurisdiction could severely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. For example, recent political and trade tensions among major economies have resulted in and could escalate trade barriers, including higher tariffs on certain products and other protectionist measures that could reduce overall consumer demand, increase our manufacturing costs and make our pricing less competitive. If and to the extent certain countries adopt further protectionist measures such as import and export controls, our ability to offer our products and services in some markets or source key materials may be limited, which may have adverse effects directly and indirectly on our sales.
Any U.S. law or government policy that encourages our U.S. customers to relocate their manufacturing capacity or supply chain to the U.S. or require their respective contractors, subcontractors and relevant agents to do so could also impair our ability to sustain our current level of productivity and manufacturing efficiency. An important aspect of our business operation is an ecosystem of interconnected semiconductor industries. Variationsfabs, employees and suppliers in order levelsthe R.O.C. that provides us with significant operational synergies, flexibility and efficiencies. For example, we are able to temporarily reassign thousands of our engineers and other relevant personnel from one manufacturing site to another that are in close proximity to each other, to refine specific designs and adapt manufacturing processes in a timely manner. These advantages permit us to operate our manufacturing fabs efficiently and resolve any technical or commercial difficulties quickly to maintain our competitive edge. If these advantages are impaired or lost as a result of government policy or otherwise, we may not be able to sustain our current ability to supply our customers may resultwith goods and services at the current level of cost, quality, quantity and delivery schedule to which our customers have been accustomed.
In addition, the financial markets have viewed certain past developments in volatility inrelations between the R.O.C. and P.R.C. as occasions to depress general market prices of the securities of Taiwanese companies, including our revenuesown. Also, the R.O.C. government has not lifted some trade and earnings. From time to time, the electronics and semiconductor industries have experienced significant and sometimes prolonged periods of downturns and overcapacity. Because we are, and will continue to be, dependentinvestment restrictions imposed on Taiwanese companies on the requirementsamount and types of electronicscertain investments that can be made in P.R.C. Our plans, investment applications and/or any relevant regulatory approvals to establish or possibly expand operations in P.R.C. may be delayed, interrupted, suspended or cancelled due to unforeseeable social and semiconductor companies for our services, periods of downturns and overcapacitypolitical factors in the general electronics and semiconductor industries could lead to reduced demand for overall semiconductor foundry services, including our services. If we cannot take appropriate actions such as reducing our costs to sufficiently offset declines in demand, our revenues, margin and earnings will suffer during periods of downturns and overcapacity.R.O.C. or P.R.C.
Decreases in demand and average selling prices for products that contain semiconductors may adversely affect demand for our products and may result in a decrease in our revenuesrevenue and earnings.
A vast majority of our revenue is derived from customers who use our servicesproducts in communication devices, personal computers,smartphones, high performance computing, IoT, automotive electronics, and digital consumer electronics products and industrial/standard products.electronics. Any decreasedeterioration in or a slowdown in the demand for any onegrowth of these products maysuch end markets resulting in a substantial decrease in the demand for overall global semiconductor foundry services, including our products and services, and maycould adversely affect our revenues.revenue. Further, semiconductor manufacturing facilities require substantial investment to construct and are largely fixed cost assets once they are in operation. Because we own most of our manufacturing capacities, a significant portion of our operating costs is fixed. In general, these costs do not decline when customer demand or our capacity utilization rates drop, and thus declines in customer demand, among other factors, may significantly decrease our margins. Conversely, as product demand rises and factory utilization increases, the fixed costs are spread over increased output, which can improve our margins. In addition, the historical and current trend of declining average selling prices (or “ASP”) of end use applications places downward pressure on the prices of the components that go into such applications. If the ASP of end use applications continues decreasing, the pricing pressure on components produced by us may lead to a reduction of our revenues,revenue, margin and earnings.
In light of the rise of new foundry service providers worldwide, ifSince we are unabledependent on the highly cyclical semiconductor and electronics industries, which have experienced significant and sometimes prolonged periods of downturns and overcapacity, our revenue, earnings and margins may fluctuate significantly.
The electronics industries and semiconductor market are cyclical and subject to compete effectivelysignificant and often rapid fluctuations in product demand, which could impact our semiconductor foundry business. Variations in order levels from our customers may result in volatility in our revenue and earnings. From time to time, the electronics and semiconductor industries have experienced significant, occasionally prolonged periods of downturns and overcapacity. Because we are, and will continue to be, dependent on the requirements of electronics and semiconductor companies for our services, periods of downturns and overcapacity in the highly competitivegeneral electronics and semiconductor industries could lead to reduced demand for overall semiconductor foundry segment of the semiconductor industry,services, including our services. If we may lose customers andcannot take appropriate actions such as reducing our profitcosts to sufficiently offset declines in demand, our revenue, margin and earnings may decrease.will likely suffer during periods of downturns and overcapacity.
The markets for our foundry services are highly competitive. We compete with other foundry service providers, as well as integrated device manufacturers that devote a significant portion of their manufacturing capacity to foundry operations. Some of these companies may have access to more advanced technologies and greater financial and other resources than us, such as the possibility of receiving direct or indirect government bailout/economic stimulus funds or other incentives that may be unavailable to us. Our competition may, from time to time, also decide to undertake aggressive pricing initiatives in one or more technology nodes. Increases in these competitive activities may decrease our customer base, or our ASP, or both. If we are unable to compete with any and each of these new competitors with better technologies and manufacturing capacity and capabilities, we risk losing customers to these new contenders.
If we are unable to remain a technological leader in the semiconductor industry, or if we are unable to timely respond to fast-changing semiconductor market dynamics, or unable to maintain our edge in product quality, we may become less competitive.
The semiconductor industry and its technologies are constantly changing. We compete by developing process technologies using increasingly advanced nodes and on manufacturing products with more functions. We also compete by developing new derivative technologies. If we do not anticipate these changes in technologies and rapidly develop new and innovative technologies, or our competitors unforeseeably gain sudden access to additional technologies, we may not be able to provide foundry services on competitive terms. In addition, our customers have significantly decreased the time in which their products or services are launched into the market. If we are unable to meet these shorter producttime-to-market, we risk losing these customers. These factors have also been intensified by the shift of the global technology market to consumer driven products such as mobile devices,smartphones, and increasing concentration of customers and competition (all further discussed among these risk factors). Also, the uncertainty and instability inherent in advanced technologies also impose challenges for achieving expected product quality and product yield. If we fail to maintain quality, it may result in loss of revenue and additional cost, as well as loss of business or customer trust. For example, in January 2019, we discovered the yield problems in12- and16-nanometer wafers caused by a batch of photoresist, which resulted in delayed delivery of products and had a negative effect on our gross margin and operating margin in the first quarter of 2019. We have strengthened inline wafer inspection and tightened control of incoming material to deal with the increasing complexity of leading-edge technologies. If we are unable to innovate new technologies that meet the demandsdemand of our customers or overcome the above factors, our revenues may decline significantly. Although we have concentrated on maintaining a competitive edge in research and development, if we fail to achieve advances in technologies or processes, we may become less competitive and our revenue may decline significantly.
In light of the rise of new foundry service providers worldwide, if we are unable to compete effectively in the highly competitive foundry segment of the semiconductor industry, we may lose customers and our profit margin and earnings may decrease.
The markets for our foundry services are highly competitive. We compete with other foundry service providers, as well as a number of integrated device manufacturers. Some of these companies may have access to more advanced technologies than us. Other companies may have greater financial and other resources than us, such as the possibility of receiving direct or indirect government subsidy, economic stimulus funds, or other incentives that may be unavailable to us. For example, Chinese companies are expected to be key players for new semiconductor fab development and fab equipment spending in part due to various incentives provided by the Chinese government. Furthermore, our competitors may, from time to time, also decide to undertake aggressive pricing initiatives in one or several technology nodes. These competitive activities may decrease our customer base or our ASP, or both. If we are unable to compete effectively with these new and aggressive competitors on technology, manufacturing capacity, product quality and customer satisfaction, we risk losing customers to these new contenders.
If we are unable to manage our capacity and production facilities effectively, our competitiveness may be weakened.
We perform long termlong-term market demand forecastforecasts for our products and services to manage our overall capacity. Because market conditions are dynamic, our market demand forecastforecasts may change significantly at any time. During periods of decreased demand, certain manufacturing lines or tools in some of our manufacturing facilities may be suspended or shut down temporarily. However, if subsequent demand increases rapidly in a short period of time, we may not be able to restore the capacity in a timely manner.manner to take advantage of the upturn.
Recently,According to the market demand forecasts, we have recently been adding capacity to meet market needs for our 300mm wafer fabs in the Hsinchu Science Park, Southern Taiwan Science Parkproducts and Central Taiwan Science Park, based on our market demand forecast.services. Expansion and modification of our production facilitiescapacity will increase our costs. For example, we will need to purchase additional equipment, hire additional personnel and train personnel to operate the new equipment or hire additional personnel.equipment. If we do not increase our net revenue accordingly, our financial performance may be adversely affected by these increased costs. See “Item 4. Information on The Company —– Capacity Management and Technology Upgrade Plans” for a further discussion.
WeHaving one or more large customers that account for a significant percentage of our revenue may not be ablerender us vulnerable to implementthe loss of or significant curtailment of purchases by such customers that could in turn adversely affect our planned growth or development if we are unable to obtain sufficient financial resources to meetresults of operations. Similarly, the increasing consolidation of our future capital requirements.customers may further increase our revenue concentration.
Planning capital requirements is challengingOver the years, our customer profile and the nature of our customers’ business have changed dramatically. While we generate revenue from hundreds of customers worldwide, our ten largest customers in 2017, 2018, and 2019 accounted for approximately 66%, 68%, and 71% of our net revenue in the highly dynamic, cyclicalrespective year. Our largest customer in 2017, 2018, and rapidly2019 accounted for 23%, 22%, and 23% of our net revenue in the respective year. Our second largest customer for each particular year accounted for less than 10% of our net revenue in 2017 as well as 2018, and 14% of our net revenue in 2019. A more concentrated customer base will subject our revenue to seasonal demand fluctuations from our large customers, and cause different seasonal patterns of our business. This customer concentration results in part from the changing dynamics of the electronics industry with the structural shift to mobile devices and applications and software that provide the content for such devices. There are only a limited number of customers who are successfully exploiting this new business model paradigm. Also, in order to respond to the new business model paradigm, we have seen the changes of nature in our customers’ business models. For example, there is a growing trend toward the system companies developing their own designs and working directly with semiconductor foundries which makes their products and services more marketable in a changing consumer market. Also, since the global semiconductor industry especially during timesis becoming increasingly competitive, some of general market volatilityour customers have engaged in industry consolidations in order to remain competitive. Such consolidations have taken the fixed income, interest rates, foreign currenciesform of mergers and equities markets. From time to time and increasingly so foracquisitions. If more of our major customers consolidate, this will further decrease the foreseeable next few years, we will continue to need significant capital to fundoverall number of our operations and managecustomer pool. In addition, regulatory restrictions such as export control directed at our capacity in accordance with market demand. Our continuedmajor customers could impact our ability to obtain sufficient external financing is subjectsupply products to a varietythose customers, reduce those customers’ demand for our products and services and impact their business operations. The loss of, uncertainties, including:
Even though we have established a comprehensive internet and computing security network, we cannot guarantee that our computing systems which control or maintain vital corporate functions, such as our manufacturing operations and enterprise accounting, would be completely immune to crippling cyber attacks by any third party to gain unauthorized access to our internal network systems, to sabotage our operations and goodwill or otherwise. In the event of a serious cyber attack, our systems may lose important corporate data or our production lines may be shut down pending the resolution of such attack. While we seek to continuously review and assess our cybersecurity policies and procedures to ensure their adequacy and effectiveness, we cannot guarantee that we will not be susceptible to new and emerging risks and attacks in the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. These cyber attacks may also attempt to steal our trade secrets and other conditionssensitive information, such as proprietary information of our customers and other stakeholders and personal information of our employees.
Malicious hackers may also try to introduce computer viruses, corrupted software or ransomware into our network systems to disrupt our operations, blackmail us to regain control of our computing systems, or spy on us for sensitive information. These attacks may result in Taiwanus having to pay damages for our delayed or disrupted orders or incur significant expenses in implementing remedial and elsewhere.
SufficientWe experienced and may be subject to attack onward by malicious software contained in the equipment we purchase and install. The cyber security risk management and solution enhancement actions have been taken continuously, such as building up an automated virus-scan system to prevent fab from installing virus infected tools, strengthening of firewall and network control to prevent computer viruses from spreading among tools and fabs, installation of proper anti-virus solutions for different computers, development and deployment of security monitor application to monitor and alert computer security issues, enhancement of computer vulnerability scan and patch updating, improving phishing email detection, employee awareness testing, external financing may notsecurity risk assessments, and the establishment of an integrated and automatic security operation platform. While these ongoing enhancements further improved the cyber security defense solutions, there can be availableno assurance that we are immune to malicious software attacks.
In addition, we employ certain third party service providers for us on a timely basis, on reasonable market terms,and our affiliates worldwide with whom we need to share highly sensitive and confidential information to enable them to provide the relevant services. Despite that we require the third party service providers to comply with the confidentiality and/or internet security requirements in our service agreements with them, there is no assurance that each of them will strictly fulfill such obligations, or at all. As a result,Theon-site network systems of and theoff-site cloud computing networks such as servers maintained by such service providers and/or its contractors are also subject to risks associated with cyber attacks. If we or our service providers are not able to timely resolve the respective technical difficulties caused by such cyber attacks, or ensure the integrity and availability of our data (and data belonging to our customers and other third parties) or control of our or our service providers’ computing systems, our commitments to our customers and other stakeholders may be forced to curtailmaterially impaired and our expansionresults of operations, financial condition, prospects and modification plans or delay the deployment of new or expanded services until we obtain such financing.reputation may also be materially and adversely affected as a result.
We may not be able to implement our planned growth and development or maintain our leading position if we are unable to recruit and retain qualifiedkey executives, managers and skilled technical and service personnel.
We rely on the continued services and contributions of our executive officers andmanagement team, skilled technical and otherprofessional personnel. Our business could suffer if we lose, for whatever reasons,from the services and contributionsinability to fulfill personnel needs with high quality professionals in a timely fashion caused by the loss of some of these personnel and we cannot adequately replace them. We may be required to increase or reduce the number of employeesrelated changes in connection with any business expansion or contraction, in accordance with market demand for our products and services. Since there is intensefierce competition for thetalent recruitment, of these personnel, we cannot ensure that we will be able to fulfilltimely fulfillment of our personnel requirements in a timely manner during an economic upturn.demand.
We may be unable to obtain in a timely manner and at a reasonable cost equipment that are necessary for us to remain competitive.
Our operations and ongoing expansion plans depend on our ability to obtain an appropriate amount of equipment and related services from a limited number of suppliers in a market that is characterized from time to time by limited supply and long delivery cycles. During such times, supplier-specific or industry-wide lead times for delivery can be as long as six months or more. To better manage our supply chain, we have implemented various business models and risk management contingencies with suppliers to shorten the procurement lead time. Further, the growing complexities especially in next-generationadvanced lithographic technologies may delay the timely availability of the equipment and parts needed to exploit time sensitive business opportunities and also increase the market price for such equipment and parts. If we are unable to obtain equipment in a timely manner to fulfill our customers’ demandsdemand on technology and production capacity, or at a reasonable cost, our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Our revenue and profitability may decline if we are unable to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials in a timely manner and at commercially reasonable prices.
Our production operations require that we obtain adequate supplies of raw materials, such as silicon wafers, gases, chemicals, and photoresist, on a timely basis.basis and at commercially reasonable prices. In the past, shortages in the supply of some materials, whether by specific vendors or by the semiconductor industry generally, have resulted in occasional industry-wide price adjustments and delivery delays. In addition,Moreover, major natural disasters, trade barriers and political or economic turmoil occurring within the country of origin of such raw materials may also significantly disrupt the availability of such raw materials or increase their prices. Also, since we procure some of our raw materials from sole-sourcesole-sourced suppliers, there is a risk that our need for such raw materials may not be met or thatback-up supplies may not be readily available. In addition, recent trade tensions could result in increased prices or even unavailability of raw materials due to tariffs, export control or othernon-tariff barriers. Our revenue and earnings could decline if we are unable to obtain adequate supplies of the necessary raw materials in a timely manner or if there are significant increases in the costs of raw materials that we cannot pass on to our customers.materials.
If the Ministry of Economic Affairs uses a substantial portion of our production capacity, we will not be able to service our other customers.
According to our agreement with the Industrial Technology Research Institute of Taiwan, or ITRI, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the R.O.C., or an entity designated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, has an option to purchase up to 35% of certain of our capacity, if our outstanding commitments to our customers are not prejudiced. Although the Ministry of Economic Affairs has never exercised this option, if this option is exercised to any significant degree during tight market conditions, we may not be able to provide services to all of our other customers unless we are able to increase our capacity accordingly or outsource such increased demand in a timely manner.
Any inability to obtain, preserve, enforce, defend and protect our technologies, and intellectual property rights and third-party licenses could harm our competitive position.
Our ability to compete successfully and to achieve future growth will dependdepends in part on the continued strength of our intellectual property portfolio. While we actively enforce and protect our intellectual property rights, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be adequate to prevent the misappropriation or improper use of our proprietary technologies, software, trade secrets orknow-how. Also, we cannot assure you that, as our business or business models expand into new areas, we will be able to develop independently the technologies, patents, software, trade secrets orknow-how necessary to conduct our business or that we can do so without unknowingly infringing the intellectual property rights of others. As a result, we may have to rely on, to a certain degree, licensed technologies and patent licenses from others. To the extent that we rely on licenses from others, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any or all of the necessary licenses in the future on terms we consider reasonable or at all. The lack of necessary licenses could expose us to claims for damages and/or injunctions from third parties, as well as claims for indemnification by our customers in instances where we have contractually agreed to indemnify our customers against damages resulting from infringement claims.
We have received, from time-to-time,time to time, communications from third parties asserting that our technologies, our manufacturing processes, or the design IPs of the semiconductors made by us or the use of those semiconductors by our customers may infringe their patents or other intellectual property rights. These assertions have at times resulted in litigation. Because of the nature of the industry and our market position, we may continue to receive such communications in the future. These assertions have at times resulted in litigation. Recently, there has beenWe continue to face a notable increase in the number of assertions made and lawsuits initiated by certain litigious, well-funded,non-practicing entities and these litigious, non-practicing entitieswho are also becoming more aggressive in their monetary demandsdemand and requests forin seeking court-issued injunctions. We also encounter, fromtime-to-time, assertions and litigations initiated by semiconductor companies seeking to disrupt our business such as the patent infringement lawsuits in August 2019 filed by GlobalFoundries (“GF”) attempting to restrict our and our customers’ activities in the United States and Germany. We responded with counter-lawsuits against GF for patent infringement in September 2019 targeting its manufacturing activities in the U.S., Germany, and Singapore. Shortly after, we reached an agreement with GF in October 2019 to dismiss all litigation between the parties, as well as those that involve any of our customers. Such lawsuits orand assertions may increase our cost of doing business and may potentially be extremely disruptive if these non-practicingasserting entities succeed in blocking the trade of products made and services offered by us.
We have or are expanding See “Item 8. Financial Information – Legal Proceedings” for a further discussion. Also, as we expanded our manufacturing operations into certain offshore jurisdictions. Tonon-R.O.C jurisdictions, we have faced increasing challenges to manage risks of intellectual property misappropriation. Despite our efforts to adopt robust measures to mitigate the risk of intellectual property misappropriation in such new jurisdictions, we have implemented heightened safeguards against such misappropriation.cannot guarantee that the protection measures we adopted will be sufficient to prevent us from potential infringements by others, or at all.
If we fail to obtain or maintain certain technologies or intellectual property licenses (oror fail to prevent our intellectual property from being misappropriated)misappropriated and, if litigation relating to alleged intellectual property matters occurs, it could: (i) prevent us from manufacturing particular products or selling particular services or applying particular technologies; and (ii) reduce our ability to compete effectively against entities benefiting from our misappropriated intellectual property, which could reduce our opportunities to generate revenues. See “Item 8. Financial Information — Legal Proceedings” for a further discussion.revenue.
Our operational results could also be materially and adversely affected by disruptive events, such as earthquakes and contagious diseases, in the locations in which we, our customers or our suppliers operate or by industrial accidents, fires or explosions.
The frequency and severity of disruptive events, including damaging earthquakes, natural disasters and severe weather has been increasing, in part due to climate change or systemic regional geological changes. We arehave manufacturing and other operations in locations subject to natural disasters, such as flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, and droughts that may cause interruptions or shortages in the risksupply of loss due to explosionutilities, such as water and fire because someelectricity, which in turn could disrupt operations. In addition, our suppliers and customers also have operations in such locations. For example, most of the materials we use in our manufacturing processes are highly combustible.
We andproduction facilities, as well as those of many of our suppliers use highly combustible and toxic materialscustomers and upstream providers of complementary semiconductor manufacturing services, are located in Taiwan and Japan, areas susceptible to earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, typhoons, and droughts from time to time that may cause shortages in electricity or water, or interruptions to our manufacturing processes and are therefore subjectoperations.
Thus, if one or more natural disasters that result in a prolonged disruption to the risk of loss arising from explosion, fire,our operations or environmental influences which cannot be completely eliminated. Although we maintain many overlapping risk prevention and protection systems, as well as fire and casualty insurance, our risk management and insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover allthose of our potential losses. Ifcustomers or suppliers, or if any of our fabs or vendor facilities were to be damaged or cease operations as a result of an explosion fire, or environmental influences,fire, it could reduce our manufacturing capacity and may cause us to losethe loss of important customers, and thereby having a potentiallyhave an adverse and material impact on our operational and financial performance.
The recentCOVID-19 pandemic may materially adversely affect our business and results of operations in several ways, including but not limited to: (i) interruption of the operations of global semiconductor supply chains and those of our suppliers, including those in Asia, Europe and North America; (ii) downward pressure on our global customer demand; and (iii) potential production delays for our products due to forced factory or office closures or partial operation. On March 18, 2020, we announced that one of our employees had received a confirmed diagnosis ofCOVID-19, and has since recovered and been discharged from the hospital but remains under quarantine as of the date of this annual report. The Company has instituted various measures, including disinfection routines, self-quarantine, mandatory hygienic practices and segregated work teams. However, given the uncertainty surrounding theCOVID-19 pandemic, we cannot predict that such measures will limit the spread of the virus in our workplace or whether our operations would be materially disrupted by the pandemic. As of the date of this annual report, our current business and results of operations have not been materially affected by the pandemic. However, depending on unfolding developments of the pandemic, we could face various risks, including those identified here and others. As the pandemic is still ongoing and may worsen, there is significant uncertainty surrounding its developments and impacts, including whether the current epidemic or continued spread ofCOVID-19 will cause an economic slowdown or a global recession, and we cannot predict at this time the impact it will have on our business or results of operations.
The recentCOVID-19 pandemic has caused us to modify our business practices, including but not limited to health management of employees, customers and suppliers, management of production inventory, and supply chain risk management. We have formed an “Epidemic Prevention Committee” to identify, implement and monitor such actions as required by the dynamic exigencies arising from the pandemic. There is no certainty that such measures and others will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed byCOVID-19, and our ability to perform critical functions could be materially adversely affected.
Our operation may be interrupted, and our expansion may be limited, by power or utility shortage.
We have occasionally suffered power outages or surges in Taiwan caused by difficulties encountered by our electricity supplier, the Taiwan Power Company, or other power consumers on the same power grid. Some of these have resulted in interruptions to our operations. Such shortages or interruptions in electricity supply could further be exacerbated by changes in the energy policy of the government which intends to make Taiwan a nuclear-free country by 2025. If we are unable to secure reliable and uninterrupted supply of electricity to power our manufacturing fabs within Taiwan, our ability to fill customers’ orders would be severely jeopardized.
Future expansions of our operations in the R.O.C. could be limited by shortages in water and electricity, and the limited availability ofcommercial-use land.
Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates could decrease our operating margin and/or revenue.
The majority of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollar and overone-half of our capital expenditures are denominated in currencies other than NT dollar, primarily in U.S. dollar, Japanese yen and Euro. As a result, any significant fluctuations to our disadvantage in exchange rate of NT dollar against such currencies, in particular a weakening of U.S. dollar against NT dollar, would have an adverse impact on our revenue and operating profit as expressed in NT dollar. For example, every 1% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the NT dollar would result in approximately 0.4 percentage point decrease in our operating margin based on our 2019 results.
Conversely, if the U.S. dollar appreciates significantly versus other major currencies, the demand for the products and services of our customers and for our goods and services will likely decrease, which will negatively affect our revenue. Please see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for a further discussion.
Our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations material to our operations such as export control, environmental and climate related laws and regulations, or the inability to timely obtain requisite approvals necessary for the conduct of our business, such as fab land and construction approvals, could harm our business and operational results or subject us to potential significant legal liability.
Because we engage in manufacturing activities in multiple jurisdictions and conduct business with our customers located worldwide, such activities are subject to a myriad of governmental regulations. For example, the manufacturing, assembling and testing of our products require the use of metals, chemicals, and materials that are subject to environmental, climate-related, health and safety, and humanitarian conflict-free sourcing laws, regulations and guidelines issued worldwide. Our failure to comply with any such laws or regulations, as amended from time to time, and our failure to comply with any information and document sharing requests from the relevant authorities in a timely manner could result in:
significant penalties and legal liabilities, such as the denial of import or export permits or third party private lawsuits, criminal or administrative proceedings;
the temporary or permanent suspension of production of the affected products;
unfavorable alterations in our manufacturing, fabrication and assembly and test processes;
challenges from our customers that place us at a significant competitive disadvantage, such as loss of actual or potential sales contracts in case we are unable to satisfy the applicable legal standard or customer requirement;
restrictions on our operations or sales;
loss of tax benefits, including termination of current tax incentives, disqualification of tax credit application and repayment of the tax benefits that we are not entitled to; and
damages to our goodwill and reputation.
Complying with applicable laws and regulations, such as environmental and climate related laws and regulations, could also require us, among other things, to do the following: (a) purchase, use or install remedial equipment; (b) implement remedial programs such as climate change mitigation programs; (c) modify our product designs and manufacturing processes, or incur other significant expenses such as obtaining substitute raw materials or chemicals that may cost more or be less available for our operations.
Our inability to timely obtain approvals necessary for the conduct of our business could impair our operational and financial results. For example, if we are unable to timely obtain environmental related approvals needed to undertake the development and construction of a new fab or expansion project, then such inability may delay, limit, or increase the cost of our expansion plans that could also in turn adversely affect our business and operational results. In light of increased public interest in environmental issues, our operations and expansion plans may be adversely affected or delayed responding to public concern and social environmental pressures even if we comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
For further details, please see our compliance record with Taiwan and international environmental and climate related laws and regulations as well as our business continuity management of climate change policy in “Item 4. Information on The Company – Environmental and Climate Related Laws and Regulations”.
Any adverse results of our pending antitrust proceeding or other similar proceedings that we may be subject to could harm our business and operational results or subject us to potential significant legal liability.
We are subject to antitrust laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions, and from time to time receive related inquiries from enforcement agencies. For example, on September 28, 2017, we were contacted by the European Commission, which has asked us for information and documents concerning alleged anti-competitive practices in relation to semiconductor sales. We are cooperating with the European Commission to provide the requested information and documents. In light of the fact that this proceeding is still in its preliminary stage, it is premature to predict how the case will proceed, the outcome of the proceeding or its impact. Any adverse results of such proceeding or other similar proceedings that may arise in other jurisdictions could harm our business and distract our management, and thereby have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or prospects, and subject us to potential significant legal liability.
Any impairment charges may have a material adverse effect on our net income.
Under IFRSs, we are required to evaluate our investments, tangible assets,right-of-use assets and intangible assets for impairment whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. If certain criteria are met, we are required to record an impairment charge. We are also required under IFRSs to evaluate goodwill for impairment at least on an annual basis or more frequently whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired and the carrying value may not be recoverable. We hold investments in certain publicly listed and private companies, some of which have incurred certain impairment charges as discussed further in our financial statements. We are not able to estimate the extent or timing of any impairment charge for future years. Any impairment charge required may have a material adverse effect on our net income.
The determination of an impairment charge at any given time is based significantly on the projected results of operations over a number ofseveral years subsequent to that time. Consequently, an impairment charge is more likely to occur during a period when our operating results are otherwise already depressed. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Reviews and Prospects —– Critical Accounting Policies, And Judgments”Judgments and Key Sources of Estimation and Uncertainty” for a discussion of how we assess if an impairment charge is required and, if so, how the amount is determined.
Having one or more large customers that account for a significant percentage of our revenues may render us vulnerable to the loss of or significant curtailment of purchases by one or more large customers that could in turn adversely affect our results of operations. Similarly, the increasing consolidation of our customers may further increase our revenue concentration.
Over the years, our customer profile and the nature of our customers’ business have changed dramatically. While we generate revenue from hundreds of customers worldwide, our ten largest customers accounted for approximately 62%, 63 % and 63% of our net revenue in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Our largest customer accounted for 22%, 21% and 16% of our net revenue in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. Our second largest customer in 2015 accounted for 16% of our net revenue, with 9% and 1% in 2014 and 2013, respectively. This customer concentration results in part from the changing dynamics of the electronics industry with the structural shift to mobile devices and applications and software that provide the content for such devices. There are only a limited number of customers who are successfully exploiting this new business model paradigm. Also, in order to respond to the new business model paradigm, we have seen the changes of nature in our customers’ business models. For example, there is a growing trend toward the rise of system houses that operate in a manner which make their products and services more marketable in a changing consumer market. Also, since the global semiconductor industry is becoming increasingly competitive, some of our customers have engaged in industrial consolidations in order to remain competitive. Such consolidations have taken the form of mergers and acquisitions. If more of our major customers consolidate, this will further decrease the overall number of our customer pool. The loss of, or significant curtailment of purchases by, one or more of our top customers, including curtailments due to increased competitive pressures, industrial consolidation, a change in their designs, or change in their manufacturing sourcing policies or practices of these customers, or the timing of customer or distributor inventory adjustments, or change in our major customers’ business models may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. If we cannot provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports and effectively prevent fraud and corruption, our reputation and results of operations could be harmed.
We are required to comply with various R.O.C. and U.S. laws and regulations on internal controls. But internal controls may not prevent or detect misstatements because of their inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, fraud or corruption. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, our business and operating results could be harmed, we could fail to meet our reporting obligations, and there could be a material adverse effect on the market price of our common shares and ADSs.
Our global manufacturing, design and sales activities subject us to risks associated with legal, political, economic or other conditions or developments in various jurisdictions, including in particular the R.O.C., which could negatively affect our business and financial status and therefore the market value of your investment.
The majority of our principal executive officers and our principal production facilities are located in the R.O.C., and a substantial majority of our net revenues are derived from our operations in the R.O.C. In addition, we have operations worldwide and a significant percentage of our revenue comes from sales to locations outside the R.O.C. Operating in the R.O.C. and overseas exposes us to changes in policies and laws, as well as the general political, economic and social conditions, outbreak of war or hostilities, terrorism, security risks, social unrests, protests, strikes, health conditions and possible disruptions in transportation networks, in the various countries in which we operate, which could result in an adverse effect on our business operations in such countries and our results of operations as well as the market price and the liquidity of our ADSs and common shares.
For example, the financial markets have viewed certain past developments in relations between the R.O.C. and P.R.C. as occasions to depress general market prices of the securities of Taiwanese companies, including our own. In addition, the R.O.C. government has not lifted some trade and investment restrictions imposed on Taiwanese companies on the amount and types of certain investments that can be made in P.R.C. In addition to the above factors, future expansions of our operations in Taiwan will likely be handicapped by shortages in water and electricity, the limited availability of commercial-use land, and experienced human resources. Our plans, investment applications and/or any relevant regulatory approvals to establish or possibly expand operations in China may be delayed, interrupted, suspended or cancelled due to unforeseeable social and political factors in Taiwan or China.
Our operational results could also be materially and adversely affected by natural disasters (such as earthquakes), shortages or interruptions in the supply of utilities (such as shortages in electricity caused by changes in governmental energy policy), in the locations in which we, our customers or our suppliers operate.
The frequency and severity of natural disasters and severe weather has been increasing, in part due to climate change or systemic regional geological changes that manifest in damaging earthquakes. We have manufacturing and other operations in locations subject to natural disasters, such as flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, highly polluted air conditions and droughts as well as interruptions or shortages in the supply of utilities, such as water and electricity, or access to land, air or sea infrastructures, that could disrupt operations. We source key raw materials from locations subject to natural disasters, such as severe weather, flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis, and droughts, and any major natural disaster occurring in any such locations may cause disruptions to our business, operations and financial performance. As recently as February 6, 2016, Taiwan, in which the majority of our manufacturing fabs are located, suffered an earthquake that damaged some of our wafers and equipment and resulted in wafer delivery delays in the first quarter. In addition, our suppliers and customers also have operations in such locations. For example, most of our production facilities, as well as those of many of our suppliers and customers and upstream providers of complementary semiconductor manufacturing services, are located in Taiwan and Japan, which are susceptible to earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, typhoons, and droughts from time to time that may cause shortages in electricity and water or interruptions to our operations. In addition, we have occasionally suffered power outages or surges in Taiwan caused by difficulties encountered by our electricity supplier, the Taiwan Power Company, or other power consumers on the same power grid, which have resulted in interruptions to our operations. Such shortages or interruptions in our electricity supply could further be exacerbated by potential changes in the energy policy of the government which intends to make Taiwan a nuclear-free country by 2025. If we are unable to secure reliable and uninterrupted supply of electricity to power our manufacturing fabs within Taiwan, our ability to satisfy the orders of our customers will be severely undercut.
One or more natural disasters, shortage or interruptions to the supply of utilities (such as shortages in electricity caused by a nuclear-free energy policy) that results in a prolonged disruption to our operations, or the operations of our customers or suppliers, may adversely affect the results of our operations and financial conditions.
Our failure to comply with applicable environmental and climate related laws and regulations, as well as international laws, regulations and accords to which we are subject, could also harm our business and operational results.
The manufacturing, assembling and testing of our products require the use of metals, chemicals, minerals and materials that are subject to environmental, climate-related, health and safety, and humanitarian conflict-free sourcing laws (such as the U.S. SEC rule for filing Form SD to disclose the origins of certain strategic minerals), regulations and guidelines issued worldwide. Although we may be eligible for various exemptions and/or extensions of time for compliance, our failure to comply with any of these applicable laws or regulations could result in:
Existing and future environmental and climate related laws and regulations as well as applicable international accords to which we are subject, could also require us, among other things, to do the following: (a) purchase, use or install expensive pollution control, reduction or remediation equipment; (b) implement climate change mitigation programs and “abatement or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions” programs, or “carbon credit trading” programs; (c) modify our product designs and manufacturing processes, or incur other significant expenses associated with such laws and regulations such as obtaining substitute raw materials or chemicals that may cost more or be less available for our operations. It is still unclear whether such necessary actions would affect the reliability or efficiency of our products and services.
The above contingencies resulting from the actual and potential impact of local or international laws and regulations, as well as international accords on environmental or climate change, could harm our business and operational results by increasing our expenses or requiring us to alter our manufacturing and assembly and test processes. For further details, please see our compliance record with Taiwan and international environmental and climate related laws and regulations in “Item 4. Information on The Company — Environmental Regulations”.
Climate change, other environmental concerns and green initiatives also present other commercial challenges, economic risks and physical risks that could harm our operational results or affect the manner in which we conduct our business.
Increasing climate change and environmental concerns could affect the results of our operations if any of our customers request that we provide products and services that exceed any existing standard(s) of environmental compliance. If we are unable to offer such products or offer products that are compliant, but are not as reliable due to the lack of reasonably available alternative technologies or materials, we may lose market share to our competitors.
In addition, our inability to timely obtain environmental related approvals needed to undertake the development and construction of a new fab or expansion project may delay, limit, or increase the cost of our expansion plans that could also in turn adversely affect our business and operational results. In light of increased public interest in environmental issues, our operations and expansion plans may be adversely affected or delayed responding to public concern and social environmental pressures even if we comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Further, energy costs in general could increase significantly due to climate change, environmental concern and other regulations. Therefore, our energy costs may increase significantly if utility or power companies pass on their costs, either fully or partially, such as those associated with carbon taxes, emission caps and carbon credit trading programs. For further details, please see details of our business continuity management of climate change policy in “Item 4. Information on The Company – Environmental Regulation”.
To mitigate risks resulting from climate change, we continue to actively carry out energy conservation measures and voluntary perfluorinated compounds (PFC) emission reduction projects, and conduct greenhouse gas inventories verification every year.
Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates could decrease our operating margin and/or revenues.
Over one-half of our capital expenditures and manufacturing costs are denominated in currencies other than NT dollars, primarily in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen and Euros. In 2015, more than 90% of our revenues were denominated in U.S. dollars and currencies other than NT dollars. Therefore, any significant fluctuation to our disadvantage in such exchange rates would have an adverse effect on our financial condition. For example, because our functional currency is denominated in NT dollars, every 1% depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the NT dollar exchange rate may result in approximately 0.4 percentage point decrease in our operating margin based on our 2015 results.
Conversely, if the U.S. dollar appreciates significantly versus other major currencies, the demand for the products and services of our customers and for our goods and services will likely decrease, which will negatively affect our revenues. Please see “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for a further discussion on the possible impact of other market factors on our results of operations.
Fluctuations in inflationary and deflationary expectations and resulting general market volatility could negatively affect costs of and demand for our products and services, which may harm our financial results.
The global economy is becoming more vulnerable to sudden unexpected fluctuations in inflationary and deflationary expectations and conditions. Both high inflation and deflation adversely affect an economy, at both the macro and micro levels, by reducing economic efficiency and disrupting saving and investment decisions. Recently, dramatic fall in oil prices and negative interest rates in major world economies have exacerbated global fluctuations in inflationary and deflationary expectations. These macro-economic changes have resulted in general market volatility across all assets classes. Such fluctuations and volatility may negatively affect the costs of our operations and the business operations of our customers who may be forced to plan their purchases of our goods and services within an uncertain economy. Therefore, the demand for our products and services could unexpectedly fluctuate severely in accordance with expectations of inflation or deflation as affected by macro market volatility. Please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Reviews and Prospects — Inflation & Deflation” for a further discussion.
AmendmentsAny amendments to existing tax regulations or the implementation of any new tax legislationlaws in the R.O.C., the United States or other jurisdictions in which we operate our business may have an adverse effect on our net income.
While we are subject to tax laws and regulations in various jurisdictions in which we operate or conduct business, our principal operations are conducted in the R.O.C. and we are exposed primarily to taxes levied by the government of the R.O.C. government. Any unfavorable changes of tax laws and regulations in this jurisdiction could increase our effective tax rate and have an adverse effect on our operating results. See “Item 5. Operating and Financial Reviews and Prospects – Taxation” for further discussion of significant tax regulation changes.
If certain of our strategic investments fail to achieve their respective forecasted returns or objectives, we may suffer financial losses that may materially lower our profit margin and distributable earnings.
From time to time, we have made or will make a series of strategic investments. There is no guarantee that any of such investments will be successful commercially. Any such investment will incur risks, which may result in losses even with careful management. Any such loss resulting from such investments may result in significant impairment charges, lower profit margin and ultimately lower distributable earnings.
If our internet security systems succumb to cyber attacks initiated by third party entities worldwide, our manufacturing as well as daily operations may be severely interrupted or shutdown indefinitely that may materially harm our financial results, our commitments to our customers and stakeholders, and corporate goodwill.
Even though we have established a comprehensive internet and computing security network, we cannot guarantee that our computing systems which control or maintain vital corporate functions like our manufacturing operations and enterprise accounting would be completely immune to crippling cyber viral attacks launched by third party to gain unauthorized access to our internal network systems to sabotage our operations and goodwill. In the event of a serious cyber attack, our systems may lose important corporate data and our production lines may be shutdown indefinitely pending the resolution of such attack. These cyber attacks may also attempt to steal our trade secrets and other intellectual properties and other sensitive information, such as personal information of our employees and proprietary information of our customers and other stakeholders. Malicious hackers may also try to introduce computer viruses or corrupted software into our network systems to disrupt our operations or spy for sensitive information. These attacks may result in us having to pay damages for our delayed or disrupted orders or incur significant expenses in attempting to re-establish control over our network. If we are not able to timely resolve the technical difficulties caused by such cyber attacks, our financial results as well as our commitments to our customers and other stakeholders may be materially impaired.
Risks Relating to Ownership of ADSs
Your voting rights as a holder of ADSs will be limited.
Holders of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) evidencing ADSs may exercise voting rights with respect to the common shares represented by these ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of our ADS deposit agreement. The deposit agreement provides that, upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of our common shares, the depositary bank will, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the holders (i) the notice of the meeting sent by us, (ii) voting instruction forms and (iii) a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given by the holders.
ADS holders will not generally be able to exercise the voting rights attaching to the deposited securities on an individual basis. According to the provisions of our ADS deposit agreement, the voting rights attaching to the deposited securities must be exercised as to all matters subject to a vote of shareholders collectively in the same manner, except in the case of an election of directors. Election of directors is by means of cumulative voting. See “Item 10. Additional Information —– Voting of Deposited Securities” for a more detailed discussion of the manner in which a holder of ADSs can exercise its voting rights.
You may not be able to participate in rights offerings and may experience dilution of your holdings.
We may, from time to time, distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire securities. Under our ADS deposit agreement, the depositary bank will not distribute rights to holders of ADSs unless the distribution and sale of rights and the securities to which these rights relate are either exempt from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “Securities Act”), with respect to all holders of ADSs, or are registered under the provisions of the Securities Act. Although we may be eligible to take advantage of certain exemptions for rights offerings by certain foreign companies, we can give no assurance that we can establish an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, and we are under no obligation to file a registration statement with respect to any such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have such a registration statement declared effective. Accordingly, holders of ADSs may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution of their holdings as a result.
If the depositary bank is unable to sell rights that are not exercised or not distributed or if the sale is not lawful or reasonably practicable, it will allow the rights to lapse, in which case you will receive no value for these rights.
The value of your investment may be reduced by possible future sales of common shares or ADSs by us or our shareholders or fluctuations in foreign exchange.
One or more of our existing shareholders may, from time to time, dispose of significant numbers of our common shares or ADSs. For example, the National Development Fund of Taiwan, R.O.C. which owned 6.38% of TSMC’s outstanding shares as of February 29, 2016, has2020, had from time to time in the past sold our shares in the form of ADSs in several transactions.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of ADSs or common shares, or the availability of ADSs or common shares for future sale,sales, will have on the market price of ADSs or common shares prevailing from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of ADSs or common shares in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could depress the prevailing market price of our ADSs or common shares. In addition, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the NT dollar may affect the U.S. dollar value of our common shares and the market price of the ADSs and the U.S. dollar value of any cash dividends paid in NT dollars on our common shares represented by ADSs.
The market value of our shares may fluctuate due to the volatility of, and government intervention in, the R.O.C. securities market.
The Taiwan Stock Exchange experienceshas experienced from time to time substantial fluctuations in the prices and volumes of sales of listed securities. There are currently limits on the range of daily price movements on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. In response to past declines and volatility in the securities markets in Taiwan, and in line with similar activities by other countries in Asia, the government of the R.O.C. formed the Stabilization Fund, which hashad purchased and may from time to time purchase shares of Taiwan companies to support these markets. In addition, other funds associated with the R.O.C. government havehad in the past purchased, and may from time to time purchase, shares of Taiwan companies on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or other markets. These funds havehad disposed and may from time to time dispose shares of Taiwan companies so purchased at a later time. In the future, market activity by government entities, or the perception that such activity is taking place, may take place or has ceased,cease, may cause fluctuations in the market prices of our ADSs and common shares.
ITEM 4. | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY |
Our History and Structure
Our legal and commercial name is(Taiwan 台灣積體電路製造股份有限公司 (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited). We believe we are currently the world’s largest dedicated foundry in the semiconductor industry. We were founded in 1987 as a joint venture among the R.O.C. government and other private investors and were incorporated in the R.O.C. as a company limited by shares on February 21, 1987. Our common shares have been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange since September 5, 1994, and our ADSs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since October 8, 1997.
Our Principal Office
Our principal executive office is located at No. 8,Li-Hsin Road 6, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China. Our telephone number at that office is(886-3)563-6688. Our web sitewebsite iswww.tsmc.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated herein by reference and does not constitute part of this annual report.
Business Overview of the Company
As a foundry, we manufacture semiconductors using our manufacturing processes for our customers based on their own or third parties’ proprietary integrated circuit designs.designs provided by them. We offer a comprehensive range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture CMOScomplementary metal oxide silicon (“CMOS”) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency (“RF”), embedded memory, BiCMOSbipolar complementary metal oxide silicon (“BiCMOS”, which uses CMOS transistors in conjunction with bipolar junction transistor) mixed-signal and other semiconductors. We estimate that our revenue market segment share among total foundries worldwide was 55%52% in 2015.2019. We also offer design, mask making, bumping, probing, and assemblyadvanced packaging, and testing services.
We believe that our large capacity, particularly for advanced technologies, is a major competitive advantage. Please see “—“– Semiconductor Manufacturing Capacity and Technology” and “—“– Capacity Management and Technology Upgrade Plans” for a further discussion of our capacity.
We count among our customers many of the world’s leading semiconductor companies, ranging from fabless semiconductor companies, system companies to integrated device manufacturers, including, but not limited to, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Broadcom Corporation, Huawei Tech, Marvell Technology GroupLimited, Hisilicon Technologies Co., Ltd., Intel Corporation, MediaTek Inc., NVIDIA Corporation, NXP Semiconductors N.V., OmniVision Technologies Inc., Qualcomm Inc., Sony Corporation Spreadtrum Communications,and Xilinx Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. Fabless semiconductor and system companies accounted for approximately 81%, and integrated device manufacturers accounted for approximately 18% of our net revenue in 2015.
Our Semiconductor Facilities
We currently operate one 150mm wafer fab, six 200mm wafer fabs, and threefive 300mm wafer fabs, and four advanced backend fabs. Our corporate headquarters and fiveseven of our fabs are located in the Hsinchu Science Park, two fabs are located in the SouthernCentral Taiwan Science Park, one fab isfour fabs are located in the CentralSouthern Taiwan Science Park, one fab is located in the United States, one fab is located in Shanghai, and one fab is located in Shanghai.Nanjing. Our corporate headquarters and our fiveseven fabs in Hsinchu occupy parcels of land of a total of approximately 613,804814,532 square meters. We leasehave leased these parcels from the Hsinchu Science Park Administration in Hsinchu under agreements that will be up for renewal between March 2017December 2020 and December 2034.2039. We have leased from the Central Taiwan Science Park Administration a parcel of land of approximately 564,619 square meters for our Taichung fabs under agreements that will be up for renewal between September 2029 and December 2034. We have leased from the Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration approximately 765,4201,483,119 square meters of land for our fabs in the Southern Taiwan Science Park under agreements that will be up for renewal between July 2017December 2024 and March 2035.October 2039. We also own approximately 143,215 square meters of land located in Miaoli, Taiwan. WaferTech, LLC (“WaferTech”) owns a parcel of land of approximately 1,052,186 square meters in the State of Washington in the United States, where the WaferTech fab and related offices are located. TSMC China owns the land use rights of 369,087 square meters of land in Shanghai, where Fab 10 and related offices are located. TSMC Nanjing owns the land use rights of 453,401 square meters of land in Nanjing, where Fab 16 and related offices are located. Other than certain equipment under leases located at testing areas, we own all of the buildings and equipment for our fabs. In addition, as part of our plan to expand our operations in China, we have applied to and received permission from the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs on February 3, 2016, and entered into an investment agreement with the municipal government of Nanjing, China on March 28, 2016, to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary managing 300mm wafer fab and design service center with volume production of 16nm process technology scheduled to begin in the second half of 2018. Also, the total capital investment will be approximately US$3 billion.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Capacity and Technology
We manufacture semiconductors on silicon wafers based on proprietary circuitry designs provided by our customers or third party designers.customers. Two key factors that characterize a foundry’s manufacturing capabilities are output capacity and fabrication process technologies. Since our establishment, we have possessed the largest capacity among the world’s dedicated foundries. We also believe that we are the technology leader among the dedicated foundries in terms of our net revenue of advanced semiconductors with a resolution of 28-nanometer16-nanometer and below, and are one of the leaders in the semiconductor manufacturing industry generally. We are the first dedicated foundry with proven low-k interconnect technology in commercial production from the 0.13 micron node down to 28-nanometer node. In 2014,2019, we startedsuccessfully commenced volume production of 20-nanometer7-nanometer Plus technology, which is an enhanced version of7-nanometer, entered risk production of5-nanometer technology, which is on track for volume production in 2020, and continued thefull development of 16- and 10-nanometer technologies. In 2015, we started volume production of 16-nanometer technology and continued the development of 10- and 7-nanometer technologies.3-nanometer technology.
The following table lists our wafer fabs and those of our affiliates,subsidiaries in operation as of February 29, 2020, together with the year of commencement of commercial production, wafer size and the most advanced technology for volume production:
Fab(1) | Year of commencement | The most advanced technology for volume production(2) | Year of commencement of commercial production | Wafer size | The most advanced technology for volume production(2) | |||||
2 | 1990 | 450 | 1990 | 6-inch | 450 | |||||
3 | 1995 | 150 | 1995 | 8-inch | 150 | |||||
5 | 1997 | 150 | 1997 | 8-inch | 150 | |||||
6 | 2000 | 110 | 2000 | 8-inch | 110 | |||||
8 | 1998 | 110 | 1998 | 8-inch | 110 | |||||
10 | 2004 | 150 | 2004 | 8-inch | 150 | |||||
11 | 1998 | 150 | 1998 | 8-inch | 150 | |||||
12 | 2001 | 16 | 2001 | 12-inch | 7 | |||||
14 | 2004 | 16 | ||||||||
15 | 2012 | 28 |
Fab(1) | Year of commencement of commercial production | Wafer size | The most advanced technology for volume production(2) | |||
14 | 2004 | 12-inch | 16 | |||
15 | 2012 | 12-inch | 7 | |||
16 | 2018 | 12-inch | 16 |
(1) | Fabs 2, 3, 5, 8 and Fab 12 are located in Hsinchu Science Park. Fab 6 and Fab 14 are located in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. Fab 15 is located in Central Taiwan Science Park. Fab 11 is located in the Washington State, United |
(2) | In nanometers, as of |
In 2015,2019, our annual capacity (in 300mm12-inch equivalent wafers) was approximately 912.3 million wafers, compared to approximately 812.0 million wafers in 2014.2018. This increase was primarily from the expansion of our 16-nanometer7-nanometer advanced technology.
Capacity Management and Technology Upgrade Plans
We perform long term market demand forecast for our products and services to manage our overall capacity and technology upgrade plans.plans based on long term market demand forecasts for our products and services. According to our current market demand forecasts, we intend to maintain ourthe strategy of expanding manufacturing capacity and upgrading manufacturing technologies to meet both the fabrication and the technology needs of our customers.
Our capital expenditures in 2013, 20142017, 2018, and 20152019 were NT$287,595330,588 million, NT$288,540315,582 million, and NT$257,517460,422 million (US$8,12314,903 million, translated from a weighted average exchange rate of NT$31.730.90 to US$1.00), respectively. Our capital expenditures in 20162020 are expected to be approximatelybetween US$915 billion to US$1016 billion, which, depending on market conditions, may be adjusted later. Our capital expenditures for 2013 were funded by our operating cash flow2017, 2018, and the issuance of corporate bonds and the capital expenditures for 2014 and 20152019 were funded by operating cash flow. Our capital expenditures for 20162020 are expected to be funded primarily by our operating cash flow.flow and partially by the issuance of corporate bonds. In 2016,2020, we anticipate our capital expenditures to focus primarily on the following:
installing and expanding capacity, to our 300mm wafer fabs;mainly for 5-nanometer and 3-nanometer nodes;
expanding capacity for advanced packaging and below;mask operations;
expanding buildings/facilities for Fab 12, Fab 14, Fab 15,18 in Southern Taiwan Science Park; and a 300mm wafer fab in Nanjing, China;
investing in research and development projects; and
These investment plans are still preliminary and may change according to market conditions.
Markets and Customers
The primary customers of our foundry services are fabless semiconductor companies, systems companies and integrated device manufacturers. The following table presents the breakdown of net revenue, including foundry services and others, by type of customers during the last three years:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer Type | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||
(NT$ in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fabless semiconductor companies/systems companies | 519,142 | 87.0% | 646,936 | 84.8% | 686,508 | 81.4% | ||||||||||||||||||
Integrated device manufacturers | 76,967 | 12.9% | 114,620 | 15.0% | 155,685 | 18.4% | ||||||||||||||||||
Others | 915 | 0.1% | 1,250 | 0.2% | 1,304 | 0.2% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 597,024 | 100.0% | 762,806 | 100.0% | 843,497 | 100.0% | ||||||||||||||||||
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We categorize our net revenue mainly based on the country in which the customer iscountries where our customers are headquartered, which may be different from the net revenue for the countries to which we actually sell or ship our products or different from where products are actually ordered. Under this approach, the following table presents a regional geographic breakdown of our net revenue during the last three years:
Year ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Region | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Geography | Net Revenue(3) | Percentage | Net Revenue(3) | Percentage | Net Revenue(3) | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(NT$ in millions, except percentages) | (NT$ in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North America | 425,053 | 71.2% | 527,256 | 69.1% | 572,557 | 67.9% | 638,895 | 66% | 637,051 | 62% | 640,335 | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific | 78,500 | 13.2% | 98,423 | 12.9% | 99,247 | 11.8% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
China | 37,646 | 6.3% | 50,514 | 6.6% | 67,662 | 8.0% | 110,201 | 11% | 175,794 | 17% | 208,101 | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific(1) | 98,676 | 10% | 89,434 | 9% | 96,512 | 9% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EMEA | 41,288 | 6.9% | 46,777 | 6.2% | 57,065 | 6.7% | 69,047 | 7% | 71,069 | 7% | 67,568 | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Japan | 14,537 | 2.4% | 39,836 | 5.2% | 46,966 | 5.6% | 60,628 | 6% | 58,126 | 5% | 57,469 | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 597,024 | 100.0% | 762,806 | 100.0% | 843,497 | 100.0% | 977,447 | 100% | 1,031,474 | 100% | 1,069,985 | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | China and Japan are excluded from Asia Pacific. |
(2) | EMEA stands for Europe, Middle East, and Africa. |
(3) | Commencing in 2018, we broke down our net revenue by geography based on a new method which associates most estimated sales returns and allowances with individual sales transactions, as opposed to the previous method which allocated sales returns and allowances based on gross revenue. We believe the new method provides a more relevant breakdown than the previous one. On a comparable basis, the classification of 2017 has been revised accordingly. |
In 2019, our net revenue increased by NT$38,511 million from 2018, which was mainly due to an increase in orders from China of NT$32,307 million, or an 18% year-over-year increase, and from Asia Pacific of NT$7,078 million, or an 8% year-over-year increase. In 2018, our net revenue increased by NT$54,027 million from 2017, which was mainly due to an increase in orders from China of NT$65,593 million, or a 60% year-over-year increase, and from EMEA of NT$2,022 million, or a 3% year-over-year increase. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in orders from Asia Pacific of NT$9,242 million, or a 9% year-over-year decrease, and from Japan of NT$2,502 million, or a 4% year-over-year decrease.
We provide worldwide customer support. Our office in Hsinchu and wholly-owned subsidiaries in the United States, Canada, Japan, Mainland China, the Netherlands and South Korea are dedicated to serving our customers worldwide. Foundry services, which are both technologically and logistically intensive, involve frequent andin-depth interaction with customers. We believe that the most effective means of providing foundry services is by developing direct and close relationships with our customers. Our customer service and technical support managers work closely with the sales force to offer integrated services to customers. To facilitate customer interaction and information access on a real-time basis, a suite ofweb-based applications have also been offered to provide more active interactions with customers in design, engineering and logistics.
Commitments by Customers. Because of the fast-changing technology and functionality in semiconductor design, foundry customers generally do not place purchase orders far in advance to manufacture a particular type of product. However, we would engage in discussions with customers regarding their expected manufacturing requirements in advance of the placement of purchase orders.
Some of our customers have entered into arrangements with us to ensure that they have access to specified capacity. These arrangements are primarilymostly in the form of deposit agreements;agreements, and advanced cash deposits are made by customers for specified capacity at our fabs. Deposits are generally refunded when the terms and conditions set forth in the deposit agreementagreements are satisfied and shipments have been made. As of December 31, 2015,2019, we held approximately US$83850 million onof deposit from customers to reserve future capacity. See note 22 to our consolidated financial statements for further information.
The Semiconductor Fabrication Process
In general, the semiconductor manufacturing process begins with a thin silicon wafer on which an array of semiconductor devices is fabricated. The following processes cover assembly, packaging, and testing of the semiconductor devices. Our focus is on wafer fabrication although we also provide all other services either directly or through outsourcing arrangements.
Our Foundry Services
Range of Services. Because of our ability to provide a full array of services, we are able to accommodate customers with a variety of needs at every stage of the overall foundry process. The flexibility in input stages allows us to cater to a variety of customers with differentin-house capabilities and thus to service a wider class of customers as compared to a foundry that cannot offer design or mask making services, for example.
Fabrication Processes. We manufacture semiconductors using the complementary metal oxide silicon (“CMOS”)CMOS and the bipolar complementary metal oxide silicon (“BiCMOS”, which uses CMOS transistors in conjunction with bipolar junction transistor)BiCMOS processes. The CMOS process is currently the dominant semiconductor manufacturing process. The BiCMOS process combines the high speed of the bipolar circuitry and the low power consumption and high density of the CMOS circuitry. We use the CMOS process to manufacture logic semiconductors, mixed-signal/radio frequency (“RF”) semiconductors, which combine analog and digital circuitry in a single semiconductor, micro-electro-mechanical-system (“MEMS”), which combines micrometer featured mechanical parts, analog and digital circuitry in a single semiconductor, and embedded memory semiconductors, which combine logic and memory in a single semiconductor. The BiCMOS process is used to makehigh-end mixed-signal and other types of semiconductors.
Types of Semiconductors We Manufacture. We manufacture different types of semiconductors with different specific functions by changing the number and the combinations of conducting, insulating and semiconducting layers and by defining different patterns in which such layers are applied on the wafer. At any given point in time, there are thousands of different products in various stages of fabrication at our fabs. We believe that the keys to maintaining high production quality and utilization rates are our effective management and control of the manufacturing process technologies which comes from our extensive experience as the longest existing dedicated foundry and our dedication to quality control and process improvements. Our semiconductors are used for a variety of different platforms. The principle platforms include:
Smartphone Platform: We offer leading process technologies such as5-nanometer Fin Field-Effect Transistor (“FinFET”),6-nanometer FinFET,7-nanometer FinFET Plus, and7-nanometer FinFET logic process technologies, as well as comprehensive intellectual properties for premium product applications to further enhance chip performance, reduce power consumption, and decrease chip size. For mainstream product applications, we offer leading process technologies such as12-nanometer FinFET compact technology (“12FFC”),16-nanometer FinFET compact technology (“16FFC”),28-nanometer high performance compact (“HPC”),28-nanometer high performance mobile compact plus (“28HPC+”), and22-nanometerultra-low power (“22ULP”) logic process technologies, in addition to comprehensive intellectual properties, to satisfy customer needs for high-performance andlow-power chips. Furthermore, for premium,high-end,mid-end, andlow-end product applications, we also offer the most competitive, leading-edge specialty technologies, including RF, embedded flash memory, emerging memory technologies, power management, sensors, and display chips as well as advanced packaging technologies such as the leading integratedfan-out (“InFO”) technology.
High Performance Computing Platform:We provide customers with leading process technologies such as5-nanometer FinFET,6-nanometer FinFET,7-nanometer FinFET and12-nanometer/16-nanometer FinFET, as well as comprehensive intellectual properties, including high-speed interconnect intellectual properties, to meet customers’ high performance computing and communication requirements. We also offer multiple advanced packaging technologies such as chip on wafer on substrate (“CoWoS®”), InFO, and three-dimensional integrated circuits technologies to enable homogeneous and heterogeneous chip integration to meet customers’ performance, power, and system footprint requirements. We will continue to optimize our High Performance Computing Platform offerings to help customers capture market growth driven by data explosion and application innovation.
Internet of Things (“IoT”) Platform:We provide leading, comprehensive, and highly integratedultra-low power (“ULP”) technology platform to support innovations for IoT and wearable applications. Our industry-leading offerings, including55-nanometer ULP,40-nanometer ULP,28-nanometer ULP,22-nanometerULP/ultra-low leakage (“ULL”), have been widely adopted by various IoT and wearable applications. We also extend our low Vdd (low operating voltage) offerings for extremelow-power applications. To support the ever-increasing demand in IoT edge computing and wireless connectivity, we also offer the most competitive and comprehensive leading-edge specialty technologies in RF, enhanced analog devices, embedded flash memory, emerging memory, sensors, and display chips, as well as multiple advanced packaging technologies including leading InFO technology.
Automotive Electronics Platform: We offer leading automotive technology to support the three megatrends – safer, smarter and greener – in the automotive industry. We are also the industry leader in providing a robust automotive IP ecosystem, which covers16-nanometer FinFET first and extends to7-nanometer FinFET and5-nanometer FinFET, for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and advancedin-vehicle infotainment (“IVI”), the two most computationally demanding systems in the automotive industry. In addition to the advanced logic technology platform, we offer broad and competitive specialty technologies, including28-nanometer embedded flash memory,28-nanometer,22-nanometer, and16-nanometer millimeter wave RF, high sensitivity CMOS Image/Lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors, and power management IC technologies. Magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”), an emerging technology, is being developed with good progress to meet automotiveGrade-1 requirements. All these automotive technologies are applied to our automotive process qualification standards based onAEC-Q100 standards.
Digital Consumer Electronics (“DCE”) Platform: We provide customers with leading and comprehensive technologies to unleash innovation and enable advancement for DCE applications, including digital TV (“DTV”),set-top box (“STB”), digital still camera and associated wireless local area network (“WLAN”), power IC, timing controller(“T-CON”) and so on. Our leading 16FFC/12FFC, 22ULP/22ULL and 28HPC+ technologies have been widely adopted by global leading 8K/4K DTV, 4K streaming STB and digital single-lens reflex (“DSLR”) camera makers and so on. We will continue to drive more cost competitive technologies through die size shrink for customers’ digital intensive chip designs, and to drive lower power consumption technologies for more cost-effective packaging.
The following is a general, non-exhaustive description of the key types of semiconductors that we currently manufacture. Depending on future market conditions, we may provide other services or manufacture other types of products that may be additive to or differ significantly from the following:
Logic Semiconductors. Logic semiconductors process digital data to control the operation of electronic systems. The largest segment of the logic market, standard logic devices, includes mobile computing chips, application processors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), graphic chips and chipsets.
Mixed-Signal/RF Semiconductors. Analog/digital semiconductors combine analog and digital devices on a single semiconductor to process both analog and digital data. We make mixed-signal/RF semiconductors using both the CMOS and BiCMOS processes. We currently offer CMOS mixed-signal process down to the 28-nanometer technology for manufacturing mixed-signal/RF semiconductors. The primary uses of mixed-signal/RF semiconductors are in hard disk drives, wireless communications equipment and network communications equipment, with those made with the BiCMOS process occupying the higher end of the mixed-signal/RF market.
CMOS Image Sensor Semiconductors. Image sensors are primarily used in camera phones and tablets. We are currently the leading foundry for the production of CMOS image sensors, characterized by technology features including low dark current, high sensitivity, small pixel size and high dynamic range achieved through integration with mixed mode processes.
High Voltage Semiconductors. We currently offer a range of high-voltage processes including high voltage CMOS (“HVCMOS”), bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (Diffusion Metal Oxide Semiconductor) (“BCD”) and ultra-high voltage technology (“UHV”), ranging from 5V to 800V, which are suitable for various panel-size display driver and power supply applications.
The table below presents a breakdown of our net revenue by platform during the last three years by each semiconductor type:years:
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Semiconductor Type | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||
(NT$ in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
CMOS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Logic | 424,868 | 71.2% | 573,539 | 75.2% | 638,874 | 75.7% | ||||||||||||||||||
Mixed-Signal(1) | 167,333 | 28.0% | 183,676 | 24.1% | 190,368 | 22.6% | ||||||||||||||||||
Others | 4,823 | 0.8% | 5,591 | 0.7% | 14,255 | 1.7% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 597,024 | 100.0% | 762,806 | 100.0% | 843,497 | 100.0% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Platform | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||
(NT$ in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Smartphone | 504,175 | 52% | 466,452 | 45% | 523,613 | 49% | ||||||||||||||||||
High Performance Computing | 265,394 | 27% | 341,910 | 33% | 315,822 | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||
Internet of Things | 51,776 | 5% | 65,092 | 6% | 86,343 | 8% | ||||||||||||||||||
Automotive | 43,871 | 5% | 51,710 | 5% | 47,914 | 4% |
Year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Platform | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | Net Revenue | Percentage | ||||||||||||||||||
(NT$ in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Digital Consumer Electronics | 63,097 | 6% | 58,470 | 6% | 53,733 | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||
Others | 49,134 | 5% | 47,840 | 5% | 42,560 | 4% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 977,447 | 100% | 1,031,474 | 100% | 1,069,985 | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Commencing in 2019, we reported our net revenue breakdown by platform, instead of by application. We believe this change better represents our results. On a comparable basis, net revenue breakdowns of 2017 and 2018 by platform were provided accordingly. |
The increase in our net revenue from 2018 to 2019 mainly came from the Smartphone Platform of NT$57,161 million, or a 12% year-over-year increase, and from the IoT Platform of NT$21,251 million, or a 33% year-over-year increase. The increase was partially offset by a decrease from the High Performance Computing Platform of NT$26,088 million, or an 8% year-over-year decrease. The increase in our net revenue from 2017 to 2018 mainly came from the High Performance Computing Platform of NT$76,516 million, or a 29% year-over-year increase, and from the IoT Platform of NT$13,316 million, or a 26% year-over-year increase. The increase was partially offset by a decrease from the Smartphone Platform of NT$37,723 million, or a 7% year-over-year decrease.
Design and Technology Platforms. Modern integrated circuit designers need sophisticated design infrastructure to optimize productivity and cycle time. Such infrastructure includes design flow for electronic design automation (“EDA”), silicon proven building blocks such as libraries and intellectual properties, simulation and verification design kits such as process design kit (“PDK”) and technology files. All of this infrastructure is built on top of the technology foundation, and each technology needs its own design infrastructure to be usable for designers. This is the concept of our technology platforms.
For years, we and our alliance partners have spent considerable effort, time and resources to build our technology platforms. We unveiled an Open Innovation Platform® (“OIP”) initiative in 2008 to further enhance our technologies offerings. More OIP deliverables were introduced over the years, as well as in 2015.2019. In the design methodology area, we announced EDA and IP readiness of5-nanometer, as well as continuous development of solutions to enhance power, performance and area (“PPA”) on existing production technology nodes, including6-nanometer,12-nanometer and22-nanometer nodes based on7-nanometer,16-nanometer and28-nanometer, respectively. In addition, we also announced the releaseavailability of 10-nanometer Fin Field-Effect Transistor (“FinFET”) (“10FF”)various3-Dimensional Integrated Circuit reference flow for both full-chip and intellectual property design.flows covering a wide range of applications.
Multi-project Wafers Program (“CyberShuttle”CyberShuttle®”). To help our customers reduce costs, we offer a dedicated multi-project wafer processing service that allows us to provide multiple customers with circuits produced with the same mask. This program reduces mask costs by a very significant amount, resulting in acceleratedtime-to-market for our customers. We have extended this program to all of our customers and library and intellectual property partners using our broad selection of process technologies, ranging from the latest 10-5-,6-, 7-,12-,16-,22-,28-,40-,45-, 55-, 16-, 28-, 40-, 45-, 55-65- and 65-nanometer90-nanometer processes to 0.13-,0.18-, 0.25-, 0.35-,0.25-,0.35- and0.5-micron. This extension offers a routinely scheduled multi-project wafer run to customers on a shared-cost basis for prototyping and verification.
We developed our multi-project wafer program in response to the currentsystem-on-chip development methodologies, which often require the independent development, prototyping and validation of several intellectual properties before they can be integrated onto a single device. By sharing mask costs among our customers to the extent permissible, thesystem-on-chip supplier can enjoy reduced prototyping costs and greater confidence that the design will be successful.
Customer Service
We believe that our dedication to customer service has been an indispensable factor in attracting new customers, helping to ensure the satisfaction of existing customers, and building a mutually beneficial relationship with our customers. The key elements are our:
customer-oriented culture through multi-level interaction with customers;
ability to deliver products of consistent quality, competitiveramp-up speed and fast yield improvement;
responsiveness to customer’s issues and requirements, such as engineering change and special wafer handling requests;
flexibility in manufacturing processes, supported by our competitive technical capability and production planning;
dedication to help reduce customer costs through collaboration and services, such as our multi-project wafer program, which combines multiple designs on a single mask set for cost-saving; and
availability of our online service which provides necessary information in design, engineering and logistics to ensure seamless services to our customers throughout product life cycle.
We also conduct an annual customer satisfaction survey to assess customer satisfaction and to ensure that their needs are adequately understood and addressed. Continuous improvement plans based upon customer feedback are an integral part of this business process. We use data derived from the survey as a key indicator of our corporate performance as well as a base to identify future focus areas. We believe that satisfaction leads to better customer relationships, which would result in more business opportunities.
Research and Development
The semiconductor industry is characterized by rapid changes in technology, frequently resulting in the introduction of new technologies to meet customers’ demandsdemand and in the obsolescence of recently introduced technology and products. We believe that, in order to stay technologically ahead of our competitors and to maintain our market position in the foundry segment of the semiconductor industry, we need to maintain our position as a technology leader not only in the foundry segment but in the semiconductor industry in general. We spent NT$47,95280,733 million, NT$56,82985,895 million and NT$65,54591,419 million (US$1,9993,056 million) in 2013, 20142017, 2018 and 2015,2019, respectively, on research and development, which represented 8.0%8.2%, 7.4%8.3% and 7.8%8.6% of our net revenue, respectively. We plan to continue to invest significant amounts on research and development in 2016,2020, with the goal of maintaining a leading position in the development of advanced process technologies. Our research and development efforts have allowed us to provide our customers access to certain advanced process technologies, such as 28-nanometer, 20-nanometer16-,10- and 16-nanometer7-nanometer technology for volume production, prior to the implementation of those advanced process technologies by many integrated device manufacturers and our competitors. In addition, we expect to advance our process technologies further down to 10/7-nanometer5- and 3-nanometer and below in the coming years to maintain our technology leadership. We will also continue to invest in research and development for our mature technologies offerings to provide function-rich process capabilities to our customers. Our research and development efforts are divided into centralized research and development activities and research and development activities undertaken by each of our fabs. Our centralized research and development activities are principally directed toward developing new logic,system-on-chip (“SOC”SoC”), derivatives andpackage/system-in-package (“SIP”) technologies, and cost-effective 3D wafer level system integration solutions, including IntegratedFan-Out (“InFO”),Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (“CoWoS®”), and Chip-on-Wafer-on-SubstrateSystem on Integrated Chip (“CoWoS”TSMC-SoIC®”) technologies.Fab-related research and development activities mostly focus on upgrading the manufacturing process technologies.
In continuing to advance our process technologies, we intend to rely primarily on our internal engineering capability,know-how and know-how and our research and development efforts, including collaboration with our customers, equipment vendors and external research and development consortia.
We also continuously create in-house inventions and know-how.in-houseknow-how. Since our inception, we have applied for and have been issued a substantial number of patents in the United States and other patents,countries, the majority of which are semiconductor-related.
Competition
We compete internationally and domestically with other foundry service providers, as well as with a number of integrated device manufacturers. We compete primarily on process technologies, manufacturing excellence, customer trust and service quality, such as earlier technology readiness, better quality, faster yield improvement and shorter cycle time. The level of competition varies with the process technologies involved. For example, in more mature technologies, competitors tend to be numerous and offer specialized processes. Some companies compete with us in selected geographic regions or niche application markets. In recent years, substantial investments have been made by others to establish new foundry capacities worldwide, or to transform certain manufacturing operations of integrated device manufacturers into foundry capacities.
Equipment
The quality and technology of the equipment used in the semiconductor manufacturing process are important in that they effectively define the limits of our process technologies. Advances in process technologies cannot be brought about without commensurate advances in equipment technology. To accelerate the development ofWe have periodic meetings with important suppliers with respect toco-developing next-generation lithographic technology, in August 2012 TSMC joined the ASML Holding N.V. Customer Co-Investment Program. The program’s scope includes development of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology and 450mm lithography tools. Under the agreement with ASML, TSMC made an investment of EUR838 million to acquire 5% of ASML’s equity, which had all been disposed as of October 8, 2015, and has committed EUR276 million, to be spread over five years, to ASML’s research and development program.equipment.
The principal pieces of equipment used by us to manufacture semiconductors are scanners, cleaners and track equipment, inspection equipment, etchers, furnaces, wet stations, strippers, implanters, sputterers, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) equipment, chemical mechanism polish (CMP) equipment, testers and probers. Other than certain equipment under leases located at testing areas, we own all of the equipment used at our fabs.
In implementing our capacity management and technology advancement plans, we expect to make significant purchases of equipment required for semiconductor manufacturing. Some of the equipment is available from a limited number of vendors and/or is manufactured in relatively limited quantities, and certain equipment has only recently been developed. We believe that our relationships with our equipment suppliers are good and that we have enjoyed the advantages of being a major purchaser of semiconductor fabrication equipment. We work closely with manufacturers to provide equipment customized to our needs for certain advanced technologies.
Raw Materials
Our manufacturing processes use many raw materials, primarily silicon wafers, chemicals, gases and various types of precious metals. Raw materials costs constituted 12.5%12.0%, 13.2%12.4%, and 10.5%12.1% of our net revenue in 2013, 20142017, 2018 and 2015,2019, respectively. Although most of our raw materials are available from multiple suppliers, some materials are purchased through sole-sourced vendors. Our raw material procurement policy is to select only those vendors who have demonstrated quality control and reliability on delivery time and to maintain multiple sources for each raw material whenever possible so that a quality or delivery problem with any one vendor will not adversely affect our operations. The quality and delivery performance of each vendor is evaluated quarterly and quantity allocations are adjusted for subsequent periods based on the evaluation.
The most important raw material used in our production is silicon wafers,wafer, which is the basic raw material from which integrated circuits are made. The principal suppliers for our wafers are Formosa SUMCO Technology Corporation of Taiwan, GlobalWafers of Taiwan, Shin-Etsu Handotai of Japan, Siltronic AG of Germany, and SUMCO Corporation of Japan, and SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. of the United States.Japan. Together they supplied approximately 93.3%92.9%, 94.3%91.7%, and 95.5%91.5% of our total wafer needs in 2013, 20142017, 2018 and 2015,2019, respectively. We have in the past obtained, and believe we will continue to be able to obtain, a sufficient supply of wafers. Please see “Item 3. Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Business” for a discussion of the risk related to raw materials. In order to secure a reliable and flexible supply of high quality wafers, we have entered into long-term agreements and intend to continue to develop strategic relationships with major wafer vendors to cover our anticipated wafer needs for future years. Also, we actively address supply chain issues and bring together fab operations, materials management, quality system and risk management teams to mitigate potential supply chain risks and enhance supply chain agility. This taskforce works with our primary suppliers to review their business continuity plans, qualify their dual-plant materials, prepare safety inventories, improve the quality of their products and manage the supply chain riskrisks of their suppliers.
Competition
We compete internationally and domestically with foundry service providers, as well as with integrated device manufacturers that devote Please see “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business” for a significant or exclusive portiondiscussion of their manufacturing capacitythe risk related to foundry operations. We compete primarily on process technologies, manufacturing excellence, customer trust and service quality, such as earlier technology readiness, better quality, faster yield improvement and shorter cycle time. The levelraw materials, including the fluctuation of competition varies with the process technologies involved. For example, in more mature technologies, competitors tend to be numerous with specialized application offered. Some companies compete with us in selected geographic regions or niche application markets. In recent years, substantial investments have been made by others to establish new foundry capacities worldwide, or to transform certain manufacturing operationsprices of integrated device manufacturers into foundry capacities to compete with us.our main raw materials.
Environmental and Climate Related Laws and Regulations
The semiconductor production process generates gaseous chemical wastes, greenhouse gases (“GHG”), liquid wastes, wastewater and other industrial wastes in various stages of the manufacturing process. We have installed in our fabs various types of pollution control equipment for the treatment of gaseous and liquid chemical wastes and wastewater, equipment for GHG emission reduction and equipment for the recycling of used chemicals and treated water. Operations at our fabs are subject to regulationregulations and periodic monitoring by the R.O.C. Environmental Protection Administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State Environmental Protection Administration of mainland China, and local environmental protection authorities in Taiwan, the U.S. and mainland China.
We have adopted pollution control and GHG emission reduction measures to ensure compliance with environmental protection and climate related standards consistent with the practice of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan, the U.S. and mainland China. We conduct environmental audits at least once annually to ensure that we are in compliance in all material respects with and we believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with, applicable environmental and climate related laws and regulations. An environmental, safety and health (“ESH”) team operates at the corporate level that is responsible for policy establishment and enforcement, coordination with ESH teams located at each manufacturing facility and for coordination and interaction with government agencies worldwide.
Electricity and Water
We use electricity supplied by the Taiwan Power Company in our manufacturing process in Taiwan. We have occasionally suffered power outages or surges caused by difficulties encountered by the Taiwan Power Company, which have led to interruptions in our production schedule. The semiconductor manufacturing process uses extensive amounts of electricity and fresh water. Due to changes in the energy policy of the government, the growth of manufacturers in the Hsinchu Science Park, Southern Taiwan Science Park and Central Taiwan Science Park, and the droughts that Taiwan experiences from time to time, there is concern regarding future availability of sufficient electricity and fresh water and the potential impact that insufficient electricity and water supplies may have on our semiconductor production. To help address these potential shortages, we have adopted various natural resources conservation methodologies. Please see “Item 3. Key Information – Risk Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business” for a discussion of the risk related to shortage in electricity and water.
Risk Management
We employ anmaintain a comprehensive enterprise risk management system to integrate the prevention and control of risk. We have also prepared emergency response, crisis management and business continuity plans to respond to natural disasters and other disruptive events such as cyber attacks or epidemic outbreaks that could interrupt the operation of our business. These plans have been developed in order to prevent or minimizereduce the loss of personnel or damage to our facilities, equipment and machinery caused by natural disasters and other disruptive events. We also maintain insurance with respect to our facilities, equipment and inventories. The insurance for the fabs and their equipment covers, subject to some limitations, various risks, including fire, typhoons, earthquakes and other risks generally up to the respective policy limitslimit for their replacement values and lost profits due to business interruption. In addition, we have insurance policies covering losses with respect to the construction of all our fabs. Equipment and inventories in transit are also insured. No assurance can be given, however, that insurance will fully cover any losses and our emergency response plans will be effective in preventing or minimizingreducing losses in the future.
For further information, please see detailed risk factors related to the impact of climate change regulations and international accords, and business trendsnatural disasters on our operations in “Item 3. Key Information—Information – Risk Factors—Factors – Risks Relating to Our Business”.
Our Subsidiaries and Affiliates
Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (“VIS”). In 1994, we, the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs and other investors established VIS, then an integrated dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) manufacturer. VIS commenced volume commercial production in 1995 and listed its shares on the Taipei Exchange (originally the R.O.C.Over-the-Counter (Taipei Securities Exchange) in March 1998. In 2004, VIS completely terminated its DRAM production and became a dedicated foundry company. On April 14, 2014 and June 12, 2015, we sold 82 million and 82 million common shares of VIS, respectively. Subsequent to the above transactions and asAs of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned approximately 28.3% of the equity interest in VIS. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for a further discussion.
WaferTech in the United States.WaferTech. In 1996, we entered into a joint venture called WaferTech (of which the manufacturing entity is Fab 11) with several U.S.-based investors to construct and operate a US$1.2 billion foundry in the United States. Initial trial production at WaferTech commenced in July 1998 and commercial production commenced in October 1998. As of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned 100% of the equity interest in WaferTech.
Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company Pte. Ltd. (“SSMC”). In March 1999, we entered into an agreement with Koninklijke Philips NV (“Philips”) and EDB Investment Pte. Ltd. to found a joint venture, SSMC, and build a fab in Singapore. The SSMC fab commenced production in December 2000. As of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned approximately 38.8% of the equity interest in SSMC. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for a further discussion.
Global Unichip Corporation (“GUC”). In January 2003, we acquired a 52.0% equity interest in GUC, a System-on-Chip (SoC)SoC design service company that provides large scale SoC implementation services. GUC has been listed its shares on Taiwan Stock Exchange sincein November 3, 2006. As of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned approximately 34.8% of the equity interest in GUC. Please see “Item��Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for a further discussion.
TSMC China. In August 2003, we established TSMC China (of which the manufacturing entity is Fab 10), a wholly-owned subsidiary primarily engaged in the manufacturingmanufacture and sellingsale of integrated circuits. TSMC China commenced production in late 2004.
VisEra Technologies Company, Ltd. (“VisEra”VisEra Technologies”). In October 2003, we and OmniVision Technologies Inc. (“OVT”), entered into a shareholders’an agreement to form VisEra Technologies, Company, Ltd., a joint venture in Taiwan, for the purpose of providingback-end service for CMOS image sensor manufacturing service.business. On November 20, 2015, we obtained an additional 42.7% beneficial equity interest in VisEra Technologies from OmniVision Technologies Inc. (“OVT”)OVT when OVT was acquired by a Chinese consortium. As of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned approximately 85.5%86.9% of the equity interest in VisEra.
TSMC Global. In July 2006, we established TSMC Global in the British Virgin Islands. TSMC Global is a wholly-owned subsidiary primarily engaged in corporate treasury investment activities.
Xintec, Inc. (“Xintec”).In January 2007, we acquired a 51.2% equity interest in Xintec, a supplier of wafer level packaging service, to support our CMOS image sensor manufacturing business. Since June 2013, we no longer consolidated Xintec in our financial statements as the number of our appointed directors on Xintec’s board consisted less than a majority. OnIn March 30, 2015, Xintec listed its shares on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange).Taipei Exchange. Subsequent to Xintec’s IPO, our shareholding in Xintec was diluted to approximately 41.2%. On November 20, 2015, we obtained additional 10.2% beneficial equity interest in Xintec from OmniVision Technologies Inc. (“OVT”) when OVT was acquired by a Chinese consortium, and subsequently sold 5.1%As of the equity interest in Xintec each on November 30, 2015 and April 11, 2016, respectively. Following the above transactions,February 29, 2020, we owned approximately 41.1%41.0% of the equity interest in Xintec. Please see “Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions” for a further discussion.
Motech Industries, Inc. (“Motech”). In February 2010, we acquired a 20.0% equity interest in Motech, a Taiwan solar cell manufacturer. Motech has been a publicly traded company on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange) since May 2003. On June 1, 2015, Motech and Topcell Solar International Co., Ltd merged, with Motech being the surviving entity and our equity interest in Motech was diluted to approximately 18.0%. On November 30, 2015, we sold around 29 million common shares of Motech. Subsequent to the above transaction and as of February 29, 2016, we owned approximately 12.0% of the equity interest in Motech.
TSMC Solar Ltd. (“TSMC Solar”).Nanjing. In May 2016, we established TSMC SolarNanjing (of which the manufacturing entity is Fab 16), a wholly-owned subsidiary primarily engaged in research, development, design,the manufacture and salessale of technologies and products related to renewable energy and energy saving. As we believed that its solar business was no longer economically sustainable,integrated circuits. TSMC Solar ceased its manufacturing operationNanjing commenced commercial production in August 2015. On December 14, 2015, TSMC Solar was merged into us.April 2018.
ITEM 4A. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
ITEM 5. | OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEWS AND PROSPECTS |
The following discussion covers items for and a comparison between the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. For the discussion covering items for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and a comparison between the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, please refer to “Item 5” of our annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC.
Overview
We manufacture a variety of semiconductors based on designs provided by our customers. Our business model is commonly called a “dedicated semiconductor foundry.” The foundry segment of the semiconductor industry as a whole experienced rapid growth over the last 29 years since our inception. As the leader of the foundry segment, of the semiconductor industry, our net revenue and net income attributable to shareholders of the parent were NT$597,0241,031,474 million and NT$183,978363,053 million in 2013, NT$762,806 million2018, and NT$254,3021,069,985 million in 2014 and NT$843,497 million (US$25,72435,774 million) and NT$302,851353,948 million (US$9,23611,834 million) in 2015,2019, respectively. Our net revenue in 20142019 increased by 27.8% from 2013,3.7% compared to 2018, mainly dueattributed to the introduction of the 20-nanometergrowing demand for7-nanometer products and continuing strongthe depreciation of NT dollar against the US dollar on a weighted average basis from 2018 to 2019, partially offset by the decline in demand for 28-nanometermost mature technology products. Our net revenue in 2015 increased by 10.6% from 2014, mainly due to the introduction of the 16-nanometer products, continuing strong demand for 20-nanometer products, and NT dollar depreciation.
The principal source of our revenue is wafer fabrication, which accounted for approximately 95%87% of our net revenue in 2015.2019. The rest of our net revenue was majorlymainly derived from packaging and testing services, mask making, design, and royalty income. Factors that significantly impact our revenue include:
worldwide demand and capacity supply for semiconductor products;
pricing;
production capacity;
technology migration; and supplies;
Though equally important, four ofWhile the above factors are discussedsignificant factors, four of which are elaborated as follows:
Pricing. We establish pricing levels for specific periods of time with our customers, some of which are subject to adjustment during the course of that period to take into account market developmentsconditions and other factors. We believe that customers find value in our large capacity, flexible manufacturing capabilities, focus on customer service and timely delivery of high yield products, have contributedand this value is reflected in our pricing. Our pricing enables us to continue to invest significantly in research and development to deliver ever-improving products to our ability to obtain premium pricing for our wafer products.customers.
Production Capacity. We currently own and operate our semiconductor manufacturing facilities. The aggregate production capacity had been expanded fromto approximately 712 million 300mm12-inch equivalent wafers in 2013, to approximately 8 million in 20142018 and approximately 9 million in 2015.2019.
Technology Migration.
Our operations utilizeoperation utilizes a variety of process technologies, ranging from mature process technologies of 0.50.25 micron or above circuit resolutions to advanced process technologies of 16/20-nanometer7-nanometer circuit resolutions. The table below presents a breakdown of wafer revenue by circuit resolution during the last three years:
Year ended December 31, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Resolution | Percentage of total wafer revenue(1) | Percentage of total wafer revenue(1) | Percentage of total wafer revenue(1) | Percentage of total wafer revenue(1) | Percentage of total wafer revenue(1) | Percentage of total wafer revenue(1) | ||||||||||||
16/20-nanometer | 0% | 9% | 21% | |||||||||||||||
7-nanometer | — | 9% | 27% | |||||||||||||||
10-nanometer | 10% | 11% | 3% | |||||||||||||||
16-nanometer | 22% | 21% | 20% | |||||||||||||||
20-nanometer | 3% | 2% | 1% | |||||||||||||||
28-nanometer | 30% | 33% | 27% | 23% | 20% | 16% | ||||||||||||
40/45-nanometer | 20% | 16% | 14% | 12% | 11% | 10% | ||||||||||||
65-nanometer | 16% | 14% | 12% | 10% | 8% | 8% | ||||||||||||
90-nanometer | 8% | 7% | 7% | 4% | 4% | 3% | ||||||||||||
0.11/0.13 micron | 4% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||
0.15 micron | 4% | 3% | 2% | |||||||||||||||
0.18 micron | 12% | 10% | 10% | |||||||||||||||
0.25 micron | 3% | 3% | 3% | |||||||||||||||
0.35 micron | 2% | 1% | 1% | |||||||||||||||
³0.5 micron | 1% | 1% | 1% | |||||||||||||||
0.15/0.18 micron | 10% | 9% | 8% | |||||||||||||||
³0.25 micron | 3% | 3% | 2% | |||||||||||||||
Total | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
(1) | The figure represents wafer revenue from a certain technology as a percentage of the total wafer revenue. |
In 2019, the7-nanometer revenue reached 27% of total wafer revenue. The10-nanometer revenue was 3% and the16-nanometer revenue represented 20% of total wafer revenue. Advanced technologies(16-nanometer and below) accounted for 50% of total wafer revenue, up from 41% in 2018.
In 2018, the7-nanometer revenue reached 9% of total wafer revenue. The10-nanometer revenue was 11% and the16-nanometer revenue represented 21% of total wafer revenue. Advanced technologies(16-nanometer and below) accounted for 41% of total wafer revenue, up from 32% in 2017.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate. More than 90%The majority of our sales are denominated in USU.S. dollars while we publish our financial statements in NT dollars. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates of NT dollar against USU.S. dollar couldwould have a significant impact on our reported revenue. Continuous NT dollar depreciation from 2013 to 2015in 2019 had a favorable effect on our revenue, with weighted average exchange rates of NT dollar per USU.S. dollar depreciating from NT$29.6930.16 in 20132018 to NT$30.3030.90 in 2014 and further to NT$31.70 in 2015.
First-Time Adoption of IFRSs
On May 14, 2009, the R.O.C. FSC announced that all companies with shares listed on TWSE, including us, were required to prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with the IFRSs adopted for use in Taiwan (“Taiwan-IFRSs”) starting January 1, 2013, with a transition date of January 1, 2012. We have prepared and reported our consolidated financial statements under Taiwan-IFRSs and published such financial statements as required under the applicable regulations and listing rules of the TWSE since first quarter of 2013. Prior to 2013, we prepared and reported our consolidated financial statements in accordance with R.O.C. GAAP.
In addition, for our continuing US SEC reporting obligations, we are required to report our financial statements under IFRSs as issued by the IASB. Therefore, the consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. See note 42 to our 2013 consolidated financial statements not included herein for the explanation of how the transition from R.O.C. GAAP to IFRSs has affected the reported financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.2019.
Critical Accounting Policies, And Judgments and Key Sources of Estimation and Uncertainty
Summarized below are our accounting policies that we believe are important to the portrayal of our financial results and also involve the need for management to make estimates about the effect of matters that are uncertain in nature. Actual results may differ from these estimates, judgments and assumptions. Certain accounting policies are particularly critical because of their significance to our reported financial results and the possibility that future events may differ significantly from the conditions and assumptions underlying the estimates used and judgments made by our managementus in preparing our financial statements. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are included in this annual report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments
Revenue Recognition. WeWith the initial application of IFRS 15 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“IFRS 15”) in 2018, we recognize revenue when performance obligations are satisfied. Our performance obligations are satisfied when customers obtain control of the promised goods, which is generally when the goods are delivered to our customers’ specified locations. The initial application of IFRS 15 had no material impact on our revenue in 2018. See note 4 to our 2018 consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the initial application of IFRS 15.
Prior to 2018, we recognized revenue from the sale of goods when the goods are delivered and titles have passed, at which time all the following conditions are satisfied:
We have transferred to the buyer the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods;
We retain neither continuing managerial involvement to the degree usually associated with ownership nor effective control over the goods sold;
The amount of revenue can be measured reliably;
It is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to us; and
The costs incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliably.
We recordCommencement of Depreciation Related to Property, Plant and Equipment Classified as Equipment under Installation and Construction in Progress (EUI/CIP). Commencement of depreciation related to EUI/CIP involves determining when the assets are available for their intended use. The criteria we use to determine whether EUI/CIP are available for their intended use involves subjective judgments and assumptions about the conditions necessary for the assets to be capable of operating in the intended manner.
Judgments on Lease Terms.In determining a provisionlease term, we consider all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise or not to exercise an option, including any expected changes in facts and circumstances from the commencement date until the exercise date of the option. Main factors considered include contractual terms and conditions covered by the optional periods, and the importance of the underlying asset to the lessee’s operations, etc. The lease term is reassessed if a significant change in circumstances that are within our control occurs. See note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for estimated futurefurther information regarding the initial application of IFRS 16.
Critical Accounting Policies and Key Sources of Estimation and Uncertainty
Estimation of Sales Returns and Allowances.Sales returns and other allowancesallowance is estimated and recorded based on historical experience and in consideration of different contractual terms. The amount is deducted from revenue in the same period the related revenue is recorded. Provision for estimated sales returns and allowances is generally made at a specific percentage based on historical experience, and adjusted based on management judgment, and any known factors that would significantly affectWe periodically review the returns and allowances, and our management periodically reviews the adequacyreasonableness of the percentage used.estimates. However, because of the inherent nature of estimates, actual returns and allowances could be different from our estimates. If the actual returns are greater than our estimated amount, we could be required to record an additional provision,liability, which would have a negative impact on our recorded revenue and gross margin.
The provisions recorded as For further information, please refer to note 19 and note 24 to the deduction of revenue were NT$6,633 million, NT$10,506 million and NT$17,723 million (US$541 million), respectively, representing 1.1%, 1.4% and 2.1% of our gross revenue for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015. The higher percentage of provision in 2015 was mainly related to business terms with customers.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We assess the allowance for doubtful accounts by examining our historical collection experience and current trends in the credit quality of our customers as well as our internal credit policies. We also evaluate indication of losses of accounts receivable based on an individual and collective basis at the end of each reporting period. We recognized additional allowance when objective evidence indicates that the estimated future cash flow of accounts receivable decreases as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the accounts receivable.
Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognized as bad debt expense which is recorded in the operating expenses - general and administrative. When accounts receivable are considered uncollectable, the amount is written off against the allowance account.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the allowances set aside for doubtful receivables were NT$487 million and NT$488 million (US$15 million), respectively, representing 0.4% and 0.6% of our gross notes and accounts receivables as of those dates.consolidated financial statements.
Inventory Valuation.Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value for finished goods,work-in-progress, raw materials, supplies and spare parts. Inventory write-downs are made on anitem-by-item basis, except where it may be appropriate to group similar or related items.
A significant amount of our manufacturing costs areis fixed because our extensive manufacturing facilities (which provide us such large production capacity) require substantial investment to construct and are largely fixed-cost assets once they become operational. When the capacity utilization increases, the fixed manufacturing costs are spread over a larger amount of output, which would lower the inventory cost per unit thereby improving our gross margin.unit.
We evaluate our ending inventory based on standard cost under normal capacity utilization, and reduce the carrying value of our inventory when the actual capacity utilization is higher than normal capacity utilization. No adjustment is made to the carrying value of inventory when the actual capacity utilization is at or lower than normal capacity utilization. Normal capacity utilization is established based on historic loadings compared to total available capacity in our wafer manufacturing fabs.
Due to rapid technology changes, weWe also evaluate our ending inventory and reduce the carrying value of inventory for estimatednormal waste, obsolescence and unmarketable inventoryitems by an amount that is the difference between the cost of the inventory and the net realizable value. The net realizable value of the inventory is determined mainly determined based on assumptions of future demand within a specific time horizon, which is generally 180 days or less.
Realization of Deferred Income Tax Assets.When we have net operating loss carry forwards, investment tax credits or temporary differences in the amount of tax recorded for tax purposes and accounting purposes, we may be able to reduce the amount of tax that we would otherwise be required to pay in future periods. We generally recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable benefits will be available to utilize. The income tax benefit or expense is recorded when there is a net change in our total deferred tax assets and liabilities in a period. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the net operating losses and temporary differences become deductible or the investment tax credits may be utilized. Specifically, our realization of deferred income tax assets is impacted by our expected future revenue growth and profitability, tax holidays, Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”), 10% tax imposed on unappropriated earnings and the amount of tax credits that can be utilized within the statutory period. In determining the amount of deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2015, we considered past performance, the general outlook of the semiconductor industry, business conditions, future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.
Because the determination of the amount of realization of the deferred tax assets is based, in part, on our forecast of future profitability, it is inherently uncertain and subjective. Changes in market conditions and our assumptions may cause the actual future profitability to differ materially from our current expectation, which may require us to increase or decrease the realization of the deferred tax assets that we have recorded. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the deferred tax assets were NT$5,139 million and NT$6,385 million (US$195 million), respectively. The deferred tax assets increased by NT$1,246 million in 2015, mainly due to depreciation of certain fixed assets that resulted in temporary differences between the carrying value of these fixed assets and their tax basis, which differences may be deductible for tax purposes in the future.
Impairment of Tangible Assets,Right-of-use Assets and Intangible Assets otherOther than Goodwill. We assess the impairment of tangible assets (property, plant and equipment),right-of-use assets and intangible assets other than goodwill whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired and the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our tangible and intangible assets other than goodwill subject to this evaluation include property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets.
Indicators we consider important which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, the following:
significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results;
significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or our overall business strategy; and
significant unfavorable industry or economic trends.
When we determine that the carrying value of tangible assets,right-of-use assets and intangible assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we measure any impairment for tangible assets,right-of-use assets and intangible assets based on a projected future cash flow. If the tangible assets,right-of-use assets or intangible assets are determined to be impaired, we recognize an impairment loss through a charge to our operating results to the extent the recoverable amount, measured at the present value of discounted cash flows attributable to the assets, is less than their carrying value. Such cash flow analysis includes assumptions about expected future economic and market conditions, the applicable discount rate, and the future revenue generation from the use or disposition of the assets. We also perform a periodic review to identify assets that are no longer used and are not expected to be used in future periods and record an impairment charge to the extent that the carrying amount of the tangible assets,right-of-use assets and intangible assets exceeds the recoverable amount. If the recoverable amount subsequently increases, the impairment loss previously recognized will be reversed to the extent of the increase in the recoverable amount, provided that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognized for the asset in prior years.
TheIn the process of evaluating the potential impairment of tangible assets,right-of-use assets and intangible assets other than goodwill, requires significant judgment. Wewe are required to review for impairment groups of assets related to the lowest level of identifiable independent cash flows. Due to our asset usage model and the interchangeable nature of our semiconductor manufacturing capacity, we must make subjective judgment in determiningWe determine the independent cash flows that can be related to specific asset groups. In addition, because we must make subjective judgment regardingdetermine the remaining useful lives of assets and the expected future revenue and expenses associated with the assets, changesassets. Any change in these estimates based on changed economic conditions or business strategies could result in materialsignificant impairment charges or reversal in future periods. Our projection for future cash flow is generally lower during periods of reduced earnings. As a result, an impairment charge is more likely to occur during a period when our operating results are already otherwise depressed.
For purposesIn 2018, we recognized an impairment loss of evaluating the recoverability of tangibleNT$423 million for certain machinery and intangible assets other than goodwill, assets purchased for use in the business but subsequently determinedequipment that was assessed to have no future economic benefits are written down to theiruse, and the recoverable amount. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015,amount of which was nil. In 2019, we recognized thea reversal of impairment loss of nil, NT$240301 million (US$10 million) due to redeployment of certain idle machinery and NT$2,604 million (US$79 million), respectively. The higher impairment loss in 2015 was mainly attributed to a loss of NT$2,345 million (US$72 million) upon cessation of TSMC Solar’s operations in the third quarter of 2015. Please see “Item 4. Information on The Company — Our Subsidiaries and Affiliates — TSMC Solar Ltd. (“TSMC Solar”)” for further details.equipment. As of December 31, 20142018 and 2015,2019, net tangible assets,right-of-use assets and intangible assets amounted to NT$825,8411,083,257 million and NT$861,431million1,384,569 million (US$26,27146,291 million), respectively.
Noncurrent Assets HeldRealization of Deferred Income Tax Assets.When we have temporary differences in the amount of tax expenses recorded for Sale. Noncurrenttax purposes and financial reporting purposes, we may be able to reduce the amount of tax that we would otherwise be required to pay in future periods. We generally recognize deferred tax assets or disposal groups are classified as noncurrent assets held for sale if their carrying amountto the extent that it is probable that sufficient taxable income will be recovered principally throughavailable in the future to utilize such assets. The income tax benefit or expense is recorded when there is a sale transaction rather than through continuing use. This condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly probable and the noncurrent asset held for sale is available for immediate salenet change in its present condition. To meet the criteria for the sale being highly probable, the appropriate level of management must be committed to the sale, which should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year from the date of classification.
When the committed sale plan involves loss of control of a subsidiary, all of theour total deferred tax assets and liabilities in a period. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which the temporary differences may be utilized. Specifically, the realization of deferred income tax assets is impacted by our expected future revenue growth and profitability, tax holidays, Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”), the surtax imposed on unappropriated earnings and the amount of tax credits that subsidiary are classified as held for sale, regardlesscan be utilized within the statutory period. In determining the amount of whether a noncontrolling interest in its former subsidiary is retained after the sale.
Noncurrentdeferred tax assets classified as held for sale are measured at the lower of their previous carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell. Recognition of depreciation would cease. We have reclassified TSMC SSL as a disposal group held for sale in the consolidated statements of financial position as of December 31, 2014. The expected fair value2019, we considered past performance, the general outlook of TSMC SSL, determined based on the price agreed insemiconductor industry, business conditions, future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.
Because the sale agreement, less costs to sell was substantially lower thandetermination of the carrying amount of deferred tax assets that can be realized is based, in part, on our forecast of future profitability, it is inherently uncertain and subjective. Changes in market conditions and our assumptions may cause the related net assets; as such, foractual future profitability to differ materially from our current expectation, which may require us to increase or decrease the year ended December 31, 2014, an impairment loss of NT$735 million was recognized under other operating gains and losses.deferred tax assets that we have recorded. As of December 31, 2014, noncurrent2018 and 2019, deferred tax assets held for sale and liabilities directly associated with noncurrent assets held for sale were NT$94416,806 million and NT$21917,928 million (US$599 million), respectively. TSMC completed the disposalDeferred tax assets increased by NT$1,122 million in 2019, mainly due to depreciation of TSMC SSLcertain fixed assets that resulted in February 2015.
Impairment of Goodwill. Goodwill arising on an acquisition of a business is carried at cost as established at the date of acquisition of the business less accumulated impairment losses, if any. We assess the impairment of goodwill on an annual basis, or more frequently when there is an indication that goodwill may be impaired. Indicators we consider important which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, the following:
Application of the goodwill impairment test is also highly subjective and requires significant judgment, including the identification of cash generating units, assigning assets and liabilities to the relevant cash generating units, assigning goodwill to the relevant cash generating units, and determining the recoverable amount of the relevant cash generating units. Our assessment of recoverable amount is based upon a cash flow analysis that includes assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth rates and operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, and determination of appropriate market comparables. The recoverable amount of the cash generating units is compared to the associated carrying value including goodwill and an impairment charge is recorded to the extent, if any, thattemporary differences between the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount.
Goodwill recorded mainly from the acquisition of TSMC-Acerthese fixed assets and WaferTech is evaluatedtheir tax basis, which may be deductible for impairment on an annual basis. Based on our most recent evaluation, the recoverable amount calculated by discounting projected cash flow in five years was higher than the associated carrying value. As a result, we did not record any impairment charge. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, goodwill amounted to NT$5,889 million and NT$6,105 million (US$186 million), respectively. The changetax purposes in the NT dollar amountfuture.
Determination of goodwill was due to changesLessees’ Incremental Borrowing Rates.In determining a lessee’s incremental borrowing rate used in discounting lease payments, we mainly take into account the exchange rate between NT dollarmarket risk-free rates, the estimated lessee’s credit spreads and U.S. dollar and the acquisition of VisEra shares from OmniVision Technologies Inc. For further details concerning the acquisition of VisEra shares, please see “Item 4. Information on The Company – Our Subsidiaries and Affiliates – VisEra Technologies Company, Ltd. (“VisEra”) andsecured status in a similar economic environment. See note 334 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for further details.
Impairment Assessment on Investments Accounted for Using Equity Method. We assessinformation regarding the impairmentinitial application of investments accounted for using equity method whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate that an investment may be impaired and its carrying value may not be recoverable. The recoverable amount is determined by taking into consideration the discounted cash flow projections of the investee and the investee’s market price, if available. The underlying assumptions of the future cash flow projections of the investees are formulated by the investees’ internal management team, taking into account market conditions for the industries which the investees operate in to ensure the reasonableness of such assumptions. An impairment charge is recorded to the extent, if any, that the carrying amount of the investments accounted for using equity method exceeds the recoverable amount. If the recoverable amount subsequently increases, the impairment loss previously recognized will be reversed to the extent of the increase in the recoverable amount.IFRS 16.
In 2013, because the recoverable amount of the investment on a certain invested company had increased to be higher than its carrying amount before the 2012 impairment, the impairment loss of NT$1,187 million recognized in prior year was reversed. No impairment loss was recorded in 2014 and 2015. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, investments accounted for using equity method amounted to NT$28,060 million and NT$23,971 million (US$731 million), respectively.
Accounting for Investments in Private and Publicly-traded Securities. We hold equity interests in companies, some of which are publicly traded and have highly volatile share prices. We also hold investments in debt securities. We review all of our investments for impairment on a quarterly basis and record an impairment charge when we believe an investment has experienced a significant or prolonged decline in fair value. Determining whether a significant or prolonged decline in fair value of the investment has occurred is highly subjective. Such evaluation is dependent on the specific facts and circumstances. Factors we consider include, but are not limited to, the following: the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis, the duration of the decline in fair value, the financial condition of the investees and our intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery in the market value of the investment. Impairment reviews with respect to private security investments also require significant judgment. Factors indicative of a significant or prolonged decline in fair value include recurring operating losses, credit defaults and subsequent rounds of financing at valuation below the cost basis of the investment.
We have experienced declines in the fair value of certain privately held investments, publicly traded securities and mutual funds and recorded impairment loss of NT$1,540 million, NT$211 million and NT$155 million (US$5 million) in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. While we have recognized all declines that are currently believed to be significant or prolonged as a charge to income, adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating results of underlying investments could result in further losses in future periods. As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, available-for-sale financial assets amounted to NT$75,598 million and NT$18,290 million (US$558 million), respectively. The change in the amount of available-for-sale financial assets was mainly due to disposal of ASML shares in 2015. For further details concerning our business arrangements with ASML, please see “Item 10. Additional Information — Material Contracts”
Recognition and Measurement of Defined Benefit Plans. We use the Projected Unit Credit Method for net defined benefit liability and the resulting defined benefit costs under defined benefit pension plans. The discount rate, rate of employee turnover, and long-term average future salary increase are included in actuarial assumptions. The discount rate assumption is determined by reference to yields on government bonds of appropriate duration at the end of the maturity of the pension benefits. We assume the average remaining years of service and rate of increase in compensation levels based on historical data. Due to changing market and economic conditions, the underlying key assumptions may differ from actual developments and may lead to significant changes in pension and defined benefit obligations.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2015, the net defined benefit liability were NT$6,568 million and NT$7,448 million (US$227 million), respectively.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain financial data from our consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, expressed in each case as a percentage of net revenue:
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||||||
Net revenue | 100.0% | 100.0% | 100.0% | |||||||||
Cost of revenue | (52.9)% | (50.5)% | (51.3)% | |||||||||
Gross profit | 47.1% | 49.5% | 48.7% | |||||||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
Research and development | (8.0)% | (7.4)% | (7.8)% | |||||||||
General and administrative | (3.1)% | (2.5)% | (2.0)% | |||||||||
Marketing | (0.8)% | (0.7)% | (0.7)% | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | (11.9)% | (10.6)% | (10.5)% | |||||||||
Other operating income and expenses, net | 0.0% | (0.1)% | (0.3)% | |||||||||
Income from operations | 35.2% | 38.8% | 37.9% | |||||||||
Income before income tax | 36.2% | 39.6% | 41.5% | |||||||||
Income tax expense | (5.4)% | (6.3)% | (5.6)% | |||||||||
Net income | 30.8% | 33.3% | 35.9% | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the period, net of income tax | 2.7% | 1.5% | (1.7)% | |||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the period | 33.5% | 34.8% | 34.2% | |||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent | 30.8% | 33.3% | 35.9% | |||||||||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (0.0)% | (0.0)% | (0.0)% |
For the year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Net revenue | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||
Cost of revenue | (49.4 | )% | (51.7 | )% | (54.0 | )% | |||||||||
Gross profit | 50.6 | % | 48.3 | % | 46.0 | % |
For the year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||
Research and development | (8.2 | )% | (8.3 | )% | (8.6 | )% | |||||||||
General and administrative | (2.2 | )% | (2.0 | )% | (2.0 | )% | |||||||||
Marketing | (0.6 | )% | (0.6 | )% | (0.6 | )% | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | (11.0 | )% | (10.9 | )% | (11.2 | )% | |||||||||
Other operating income and expenses, net | (0.2 | )% | (0.2 | )% | 0.0 | % | |||||||||
Income from operations | 39.4 | % | 37.2 | % | 34.8 | % | |||||||||
Income before income tax | 40.5 | % | 38.5 | % | 36.4 | % | |||||||||
Income tax expense | (5.2 | )% | (3.3 | )% | (3.3 | )% | |||||||||
Net income | 35.3 | % | 35.2 | % | 33.1 | % | |||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) for the year, net of income tax | (2.9 | )% | 1.0 | % | (1.1 | )% | |||||||||
Total comprehensive income for the year | 32.4 | % | 36.2 | % | 32.0 | % | |||||||||
Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent | 35.3 | % | 35.2 | % | 33.1 | % | |||||||||
Net income attributable tonon-controlling interests | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % |
Year to Year Comparisons
Net Revenue and Gross Margin
For the year ended December 31, | For the year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | % Change in NT$ from 2013 | 2015 | % Change in NT$ from 2014 | 2017 | 2018 | % Change in NT$ from 2017 | 2019 | % Change in NT$ from 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net revenue | 597,024 | 762,806 | 27.8% | 843,497 | 25,724 | 10.6% | 977,447 | 1,031,474 | 5.5 | % | 1,069,985 | 35,774 | 3.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenue | (315,642 | ) | (385,113 | ) | 22.0% | (433,117 | ) | (13,209 | ) | 12.5% | (482,616 | ) | (533,488 | ) | 10.5 | % | (577,286 | ) | (19,301 | ) | 8.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gross profit before realized (unrealized) gross profit on sales to associates | 281,382 | 377,693 | 34.2% | 410,380 | 12,515 | 8.7% | 494,831 | 497,986 | 0.6 | % | 492,699 | 16,473 | (1.1 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Realized (unrealized) gross profit on sales to associates | (21 | ) | 29 | — | 15 | 1 | (48.3% | ) | (5 | ) | (112 | ) | 2,140.0 | % | 3 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gross profit | 281,361 | 377,722 | 34.2% | 410,395 | 12,516 | 8.7% | 494,826 | 497,874 | 0.6 | % | 492,702 | 16,473 | (1.0 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gross margin percentage | 47.1% | 49.5% | — | 48.7% | 48.7% | — | 50.6% | 48.3% | — | 46.0% | 46.0% | — |
Net Revenue
Our net revenue in 20152019 increased by 10.6%3.7% from 2014,2018, which was largelymainly attributed to 6.0%6.9% increase in wafer shipmentsaverage selling price due to higher advanced technology revenue weighting and 4.6% from2.4% depreciation in NT dollar depreciation.against US dollar, partially offset by 6.4% decrease in wafer shipments. We shipped approximately 8.810.1 million 300mm12-inch equivalent wafers in 20152019 compared to 8.310.8 million in 2014. Furthermore, 16/20-nanometer2018. Meanwhile,7-nanometer accounted for 21%27% of our total wafer revenue in 20152019 compared to 9% in 2014.2018.
Our net revenue in 2014 increased by 27.8% from 2013, which was largely attributed to growth in customer demand, reflected in a 18.7% increase in wafer shipments. We shipped approximately 8.3 million 300mm equivalent wafers in 2014 compared to 7.0 million in 2013. Furthermore, the introduction of 20-nanometer and higher share of 28-nanometer sales contributed to a higher average selling price. 20-nanometer accounted for 9% of our total wafer revenue in 2014, and 28-nanometer accounted for 33% of our total wafer revenue in 2014 compared to 30% in 2013.
Gross Margin
Our gross margin fluctuates with the level of capacity utilization, price change, cost improvement, price changeproduct mix and exchange rate, among other factors. In 2015,Furthermore, our gross margin was 48.7%, down 0.8 percentage pointwould be negatively impacted in the year when a new technology is introduced.
In 2019, our gross margin declined to 46.0% of net revenue from 2014,48.3% in 2018, mainly dueattributed to lower capacity utilization, partially balancedoffset by cost improvement and a favorable exchange rate. In 2014, our gross margin was 49.5%, up 2.4 percentage points from 2013, mainly reflecting higher capacity utilization, partially offset by the margin dilution associated with the ramping of 20nm in its initial year of production.
Operating Expenses
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | % Change in NT$ from 2013 | 2015 | % Change in NT$ from 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research and development | 47,952 | 56,829 | 18.5% | 65,545 | 1,999 | 15.3% | ||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative | 18,882 | 18,933 | 0.3% | 17,257 | 526 | (8.9% | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Marketing | 4,505 | 5,087 | 12.9% | 5,665 | 173 | 11.4% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total operating expenses | 71,339 | 80,849 | 13.3% | 88,467 | 2,698 | 9.4% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Percentage of net revenue | 11.9% | 10.6% | — | 10.5% | 10.5% | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Other operating income and expenses, net | 47 | (1,002 | ) | (2,231.9% | ) | (1,880 | ) | (57 | ) | (87.6% | ) | |||||||||||||
Income from operations | 210,069 | 295,871 | 40.8% | 320,048 | 9,761 | 8.2% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Operating Margin | 35.2% | 38.8% | — | 37.9% | 37.9% | — |
Research and development General and administrative Marketing Total operating expenses Percentage of net revenue Other operating income and expenses, net Income from operations Operating Margin For the year ended December 31, 2017 2018 % Change
in NT$
from 2017 2019 % Change
in NT$
from 2018 NT$ NT$ NT$ US$ (in millions, except percentages) 80,733 85,895 6.4 % 91,419 3,056 6.4 % 21,197 20,266 (4.4 )% 21,737 727 7.3 % 5,972 5,988 0.3 % 6,349 212 6.0 % 107,902 112,149 3.9 % 119,505 3,995 6.6 % 11.0% 10.9% — 11.2% 11.2% — (1,365 ) (2,101 ) (53.9 )% (496 ) (17 ) 76.4 % 385,559 383,624 (0.5 )% 372,701 12,461 (2.8 )% 39.4% 37.2% — 34.8% 34.8% —
Operating expenses increased by NT$7,6187,356 million in 2015,2019, or 9.4%6.6%, after an increase in operating expenses offrom NT$9,510112,149 million in 2014, or 13.3%, from NT$71,339 million in 2013.2018.
Research and Development Expenses
We remain strongly committed to being the leader in advanced process technologies development. We believe that continuing investmentsinvestment in process technologies areis essential for us to remain competitive in the markets we serve.
Research and development expenditures increased by NT$8,7165,524 million in 2015,2019, or 15.3%6.4%, from $56,829NT$85,895 million in 2014, after an increase of NT$8,877 million in 2014, or 18.5%, from $47,952 million in 2013.2018. The increases in both years2019 were mainly dueattributed to a higher level of research activities for 10-nanometer3-nanometer and below5-nanometer process technologies, as we continuecontinued to advance to smaller processing nodes, partially offset by fewera lower level of research activities for 16-nanometer in 2015 and 20-nanometer in 2014. In both 2015 and 2014, there was also an increase in employee profit sharing expenses and bonus due7-nanometer compared to higher net income.
2018. We plan to continue investing a significant amountour investment in technology research and development in 2016.2020.
General and Administrative and Marketing Expenses
General and administrative and marketing expenses in 2015 decreased by NT$1,098 million, or 4.6%, from 2014, mainly reflecting lower fab opening expenses; partially offset by higher employee profit sharing expenses and bonus due to higher net income.
General and administrative, and marketing expenses in 20142019 increased by NT$6331,471 million, or 2.7%7.3%, from 2013. The2018, mainly reflecting higher employee profit sharing expenses and bonus, due to higher net income, were partially offset by lower fab opening expenses.expenses for5-nanometer.
Other operating incomeOperating Income and expensesExpenses
Net loss from other operating income and expenses in 2015 decreased2019 narrowed by NT$8781,605 million or 87.6% from 2014, mainly due2018 to a net loss of NT$496 million, primarily attributed to the absence of NT$423 million impairment losses on property, plant and equipment recorded in 2018 and intangible assetsreversal of NT$2,604 million in 2015, partially offset by gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment of NT$434 million in 2015, gain from lease agreement modification of NT$430 million in 2015, and the absence of an impairment loss on noncurrent assets held for sale of NT$735 million in 2014. For further details concerning the impairment losses including the cessation of TSMC Solar, please see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Reviews and Prospects — Critical Accounting Policies And Judgments — Impairment of Tangible and Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill, and Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale” for further details.
Net other operating income and expenses in 2014 decreased by NT$1,049 million, or 2,231.9% from 2013, mainly due to an impairment loss on noncurrent assets held for sale of NT$735 million and an impairment loss on property, plant and equipment previously recognized of NT$240301 million in 2014. For further details concerning the impairment losses, please see “Item 5. Operatingdue to redeployment of certain idle machinery and Financial Reviews and Prospects — Critical Accounting Policies And Judgments — Impairment of Tangible and Intangible Assets Other than Goodwill, and Noncurrent Assets Held for Sale” for further details.equipment.
Non-Operating Income and Expenses
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | % Change in NT$ from 2013 | 2015 | % Change in NT$ from 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share of profits of associates and joint venture | 3,807 | 3,920 | 3.0% | 4,196 | 128 | 7.0% | ||||||||||||||||||
Other income | 2,342 | 3,380 | 44.3% | 4,751 | 145 | 40.6% | ||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain, net | 285 | 2,111 | 640.7% | 2,481 | 76 | 17.5% | ||||||||||||||||||
Finance costs | (2,646 | ) | (3,236 | ) | 22.3% | (3,190 | ) | (98 | ) | (1.4% | ) | |||||||||||||
Other gains and losses | 2,105 | 28 | (98.7)% | 22,192 | 677 | 79,157.1% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net non-operating income | 5,893 | 6,203 | 5.3% | 30,430 | 928 | 390.6% | ||||||||||||||||||
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2017 | 2018 | % Change in NT$ from 2017 | 2019 | % Change in NT$ from 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Share of profits of associates | 3,015 | 3,091 | 2.5 | % | 2,861 | 96 | (7.4 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
Other income | 9,610 | 14,853 | 54.6 | % | 16,607 | 555 | 11.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net | (1,509 | ) | 2,438 | — | 2,095 | 70 | (14.1 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
Finance costs | (3,330 | ) | (3,052 | ) | (8.3 | )% | (3,251 | ) | (109 | ) | 6.5 | % | ||||||||||||
Other gains and losses, net | 2,817 | (3,411 | ) | (221.1 | )% | (1,151 | ) | (38 | ) | 66.3 | % | |||||||||||||
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Netnon-operating income | 10,603 | 13,919 | 31.3 | % | 17,161 | 574 | 23.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Netnon-operating income in 20152019 increased by NT$24,2273,242 million, or 390.6%23.3%, from NT$6,20313,919 million in 2014,2018, mainly reflecting thedue to a gain on disposal gainsof financial assets of NT$22,070538 million compared to a loss on ASML sharesdisposal of financial assets of NT$989 million in 2018 and higher interest income of NT$1,399 million. For further details concerning our business arrangements with ASML, please see “Item 10. Additional Information — Material Contracts”.
Net non-operating income in 2014 increased by NT$3101,495 million or 5.3%, from NT$5,893 million in 2013, primarily attributedcompared to higher gain on disposal of VIS shares of NT$2,055 million, higher foreign exchange gain of NT$1,826 million due to NT dollar depreciated against U.S. dollar and higher interest income of NT$895 million. The increases were partially offset by higher loss on financial instruments of NT$2,086 million, absence of settlement income from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation of NT$900 million, lower gain on disposal of available-for-sale financial assets of NT$949 million and NT$590 million increase in interest expenses.2018.
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)Expense
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | % Change in NT$ from 2013 | 2015 | % Change in NT$ from 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (32,112 | ) | (47,890 | ) | 49.1% | (47,645 | ) | (1,453 | ) | (0.5% | ) | |||||||||||||
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Net income | 183,850 | 254,184 | 38.3% | 302,833 | 9,236 | 19.1% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent | 183,978 | 254,302 | 38.2% | 302,851 | 9,236 | 19.1% | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net margin attributable to shareholders of the parent | 30.8% | 33.3% | — | 35.9% | 35.9% | — |
Income tax expenses decreased by NT$245 million in 2015, or 0.5%, from 2014. The decrease was mainly due to lower tax on unappropriated earnings resulting from lower unappropriated earnings in 2015, partially offset by the increase of taxable income.
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | % Change in NT$ from 2017 | 2019 | % Change in NT$ from 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except percentages) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | (51,123 | ) | (34,437 | ) | (32.6 | )% | (35,835 | ) | (1,199 | ) | 4.1 | % | ||||||||||||
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Net income | 345,039 | 363,106 | 5.2 | % | 354,027 | 11,836 | (2.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
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Net income attributable to shareholders of the parent | 344,998 | 363,053 | 5.2 | % | 353,948 | 11,834 | (2.5 | )% | ||||||||||||||||
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Net margin attributable to shareholders of the parent | 35.3% | 35.2% | — | 33.1% | 33.1% | — |
Income tax expenses increased by NT$15,7781,398 million in 2014,2019, or 49.1%4.1%, from 2013.2018. The increase was mainly duerelated to higher taxablelower income and an increasetax adjusting benefit for prior year in tax2019, which resulted from reduction in the statutory rate of surtax imposed on unappropriated earnings asfrom 10% to 5%. The increase was partially offset by lower surtax on 2019 unappropriated earnings, which was attributed to the new corporate policy to distribute cash dividends on a result of higher unappropriated earnings.quarterly basis starting from 2019.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our sources of liquidity include cash flow from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments.current portion of marketable financial assets. Issuance of corporate bonds is another source of fund.fund as well.
Our primary source of liquidity is cash flow from operations. Cash flow from operations for 20152019 was NT$529,879615,139 million (US$16,16020,566 million), an increase of NT$108,35541,185 million from 2014.2018.
Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments incurrent portion of marketable financial instruments increasedassets decreased to NT$586,163583,449 million (US$17,87619,507 million) as of December 31, 2015,2019 from NT$436,924695,182 million as of December 31, 2014.2018. The short-term investments incurrent portion of marketable financial instrumentsassets primarily consisted of fixed income securities and publicly-traded stocks.securities.
We believe that our cash generated from operations, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments,current portion of marketable financial assets, and ability to access capital market will be sufficient to fund our working capital needs, capital expenditures, debt repayments, dividend payments and other business requirements associated with existing operations over the next 12 months.
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash generated by operating activities | 347,384 | 421,524 | 529,879 | 16,160 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (281,054 | ) | (282,421 | ) | (217,246 | ) | (6,625 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash generated by (used in) financing activities | 32,106 | (32,328 | ) | (116,734 | ) | (3,560 | ) | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes and others | 849 | 8,979 | 8,341 | 254 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in cash | 99,285 | 115,754 | 204,240 | 6,229 |
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||
Net cash generated by operating activities | 585,318 | 573,954 | 615,139 | 20,566 | ||||||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (336,165 | ) | (314,269 | ) | (458,802 | ) | (15,339 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (215,697 | ) | (245,124 | ) | (269,639 | ) | (9,015 | ) | ||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (21,318 | ) | 9,862 | (9,114 | ) | (305 | ) | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 12,138 | 24,423 | (122,416 | ) | (4,093 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents increaseddecreased by NT$204,240122,416 million in 2015,2019, following an increase of NT$115,754 million and NT$99,28524,423 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.2018.
Operating Activities
In 2015,2019, we generated NT$529,879615,139 million (US$16,16020,566 million) net cash from operating activities, as compared to NT$421,524 million and NT$347,384573,954 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2015,2018. The net cash generated from operating activities was primarily from NT$350,478389,862 million in income before income tax and NT$222,506286,884 million innon-cash depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by income tax payment, change in working capital and others of NT$43,10561,607 million. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses in 2019 was mainly related to the increment of fully depreciated investment in production capacity for previous technologies.
In 2014,2018, net cash generated from operating activities was primarily from NT$302,074397,543 million in income before income tax and NT$200,252292,546 million innon-cash depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by income tax payment, change in working capital and others of NT$80,802116,135 million.
In 2013, net cash generated from operating activities was primarily from NT$215,962 million The increase in income before income tax and NT$156,182 million in non-cash depreciation and amortization expenses, partially offset by change in working capital and others of NT$24,760 million.
With respect to depreciation and amortization expenses, our depreciation and amortization expenses in 2015 were NT$222,506 million (US$6,786 million), as compared2018 was mainly related to NT$200,252 millionour investment in 2014. The higher depreciation and amortization expenses in 2015 were mainly the result of expansion of production capacity infor advanced technologies.
Investing Activities
In 2015,2019, net cash used in investing activities was NT$217,246458,802 million (US$6,62515,339 million), as compared to NT$282,421 million and NT$281,054314,269 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. 2018. The primary use of cash in investing activities in 2019 was for capital expenditures of NT$460,422 million.
In 2015,2018, net cash used in investing activities was primarily for capital expenditures of NT$257,517 million, partially offset by NT$56,176 million of proceeds from sale of ASML shares.315,582 million.
In 2014, net cash used in investing activities was primarily for capital expenditures of NT$288,540 million and net purchases of investment in financial assets of NT$2,020 million, partially offset by NT$3,472 million of proceeds from sale of VIS shares.
In 2013 net cash used in investing activities was primarily for capital expenditures of NT$287,595 million, partially offset by NT$5,788 million of net proceeds from disposal or redemption of investment in financial assets.
With respect to capital expenditures, ourOur capital expenditures for 20152019 were primarily related to:
installing and expanding capacity, to 300mm wafer fabs;mainly for7-nanometer and5-nanometer nodes;
expanding capacity for advanced packaging and 10-nanometer nodes;mask operations;
establishing Fab 12, Fab 14,18 in Southern Taiwan Science Park; and Fab 15;
investing in research and development projects; and
Our capital expenditures for 2013 were funded by our operating cash flow2018 and the issuance of corporate bonds and the capital expenditures for 2014 and 20152019 were funded by operating cash flow. The capital expenditures for 20162020 are expected to be funded mainly by our operating cash flow.flow and partially by the issuance of corporate bonds. See “Item 3. Risk Factors” section for the risks associated with the inability of raising the requisite funding for our expansion programs. Please also see “Item 4. Information on The Company – Capacity Management and Technology Upgrade Plans” for discussion of our capacity management and capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
In 2015,2019, net cash used by financing activities was NT$116,734269,639 million (US$3,5609,015 million), as compared to net cash used of NT$32,328245,124 million in 2014. In 2015, cash used by financing activities was mainly for cash dividend payment.
In 2014,2018. The net cash used by financing activities was NT$32,328 million, as compared to net cash generated of NT$32,106 million in 2013. In 2014, cash used by financing activities was2019 and 2018 were mainly for cash dividend payment NT$77,786 million, partially offset by an increase of short-term loans of NT$18,564 millionpayments and receipt of capacity guarantee deposit of NT$30,132 million.
In 2013, we had cash inflow of NT$130,845 million from issuancerepayments of corporate bonds, partially offset by cash dividend payment NT$77,773 million and a decrease ofthe increases in short-term loans of NT$19,636 million.loans.
As of December 31, 2015,2019, our short-term loans were NT$39,474118,522 million (US$1,200 million, translated from an exchange rate3,963 million). A majority of NT$32.90 to US$1.00). Thethe short-term loans were denominated in U.S. dollars. As a substantial portion of our receivables was denominated in U.S. dollars, we useused short-term loans denominated in U.S. dollars to naturally hedge the fluctuation of foreign exchanges rates. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures Aboutabout Market Risk”Risks” for a discussion of the hedging instruments used. Our aggregate long-term debt was NT$215,51556,900 million (US$6,5731,902 million), of which NT$23,518million31,800 million (US$7171,063 million) was classified as current. The long-term debt primarily included NT$215,475 million of long-termwas NT dollar corporate bonds with fixed interest rates ranging from 0.95%1.35% to 2.10% and tenorsremaining maturity ranging from 3 yearsless than 1 year to 104 years.
Cash Requirements
The following table sets forth the maturity of our long-term debt, (bank loans and bonds) including relevant interest payments outstanding as of December 31, 2015:2019:
Long-term debt | ||||
(in NT$ millions) | ||||
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During 2020 | 32,339 | |||
During 2021 | 3,002 | |||
During 2022 | 4,776 | |||
During 2023 | 18,203 | |||
During 2024 and thereafter | — |
The following table sets forth information on our material contractually obligated payments (including principals and interests) for the periods indicated as of December 31, 2015:2019:
Payments Due by Period | Payments Due by Period | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contractual Obligations | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 4-5 Years | More than 5 Years | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1-3 Years | 3-5 Years | More than 5 Years | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in NT$ millions) | (in NT$ millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Loans(1) | 39,489 | 39,489 | — | — | — | 118,563 | 118,563 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Debt(2) | 225,361 | 26,504 | 104,484 | 68,392 | 25,981 | 58,320 | 32,339 | 7,778 | 18,203 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating Leases(3) | 11,656 | 1,099 | 2,044 | 1,591 | 6,922 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Obligations(4) | 31,528 | 8,418 | 14,886 | 8,224 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Purchase or Other Purchase Obligations(5) | 178,532 | 174,090 | 3,043 | 1,189 | 210 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Leases(3) | 18,690 | 2,475 | 2,783 | 2,484 | 10,948 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Capital Leases(4) | 1,534 | 1,534 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other Obligations(5) | 1,499 | 1,499 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital Purchase or Other Purchase Obligations(6) | 314,726 | 307,898 | 6,828 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Contractual Cash Obligations | 486,566 | 249,600 | 124,457 | 79,396 | 33,113 | 513,332 | 464,308 | 17,389 | 20,687 | 10,948 |
(1) | The maximum amount and average amount of short-term loans outstanding during the year ended December 31, |
(2) | Represents corporate bonds |
(3) | Capital lease obligations are described in note |
(4) | Non-capital leases represent short-term leases andlow-value asset leases. See note 4 and note 16 to our consolidated financial statements for further information. |
(5) | Other obligations represent |
Represents commitments for construction or purchase of equipment, raw material and other property or services. These commitments |
During 2015,2019, we entered intoused derivative financial instruments transactions to manage exposurespartially hedge the currency exchange rate risk related to foreign-currency denominated receivables orand payables and price fluctuations ofinterest rate risk related to our fixed income investments. As of December 31, 2015, we anticipated our cash requirements in 2016 for outstanding forward exchange agreements of approximately US$794 million with our expected cash receipts of approximately JPY15,449 million, NT$14,434 million and RMB1,464 million. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” for more information regarding oura further discussion about currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk, and derivative financial instruments transactions.we used to hedge such risks. See also note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for our accounting policy of derivative financial instruments, and note 8, note 11 and note 3734 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding our derivative financial instruments transactions.
Generally, we do not provide letters of credit to, or guarantees for any entity other than our consolidated subsidiaries.
Significant amount of capital is required to build, expand, and upgrade our production facilities and equipment. Our capital expenditures for 20162020 are expected to be approximatelybetween US$915 billion to US$1016 billion, which, depending on market conditions, may be adjusted later.
Taxation
TheEffective from 2018, the R.O.C. Income Tax Law was amended, which abolished the imputation system, raised the corporate income tax rate in R.O.C. isfrom 17% to 20%, and reduced the rate of surtax imposed on unappropriated earnings from 10% to 5%. We are eligible for five-year tax holidays for income generatedEffective from construction and capacity expansions of production facilities according to regulations under the Statute for Upgrading Industries of the R.O.C. The exemption period may begin at any time within five years, as applicable, following the completion of a construction or expansion of production facilities. The Statute for Upgrading Industries expired at the end of 2009. However, under the Grandfather Clause, we can continue to enjoy five-year tax holidays if the relevant investment plans were approved by R.O.C. tax authority before the expiration of the Statute. Pursuant to the Grandfather Clause, we commenced the exemption period for part of Fab 12 (Phase IV) and part of Fab 14 (Phase III and IV) in 2011, part of Fab 12 (Phase IV) and part of Fab 14 (Phase III to VI) in 2014, and part of Fab 12 (Phase IV to V) and part of Fab 14 (Phase III to IV) in 2015. The aggregate tax benefits of such exemption periods in, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were NT$8,612 million, NT$20,416 million and NT$22,144 million (US$675 million), respectively.
Pursuant to regulations promulgated under2020, the R.O.C. Statute for IndustriesIndustrial Innovation was amended, which extends the tax incentive by 10 years for research and development (“R&D”) expenditure. In addition, if a company uses its undistributed earnings to construct or purchase buildings, software or hardware equipment, or technology for use in production or operation, such investment amounts may be deducted from the undistributed earnings in calculation of the current year’s undistributed earnings for assessment of surtax imposed on undistributed earnings from the year 2018. Pursuant to the regulation changes on R&D tax credit and undistributed earnings, we are eligible for a 10%~15% R&D tax credit for specified percentagescredit. In addition, our capital expenditures could be deducted from the undistributed earnings in calculation of research and development expenditures. The tax credit rate of research and development expenditures is 15% during the period from 2010 to 2019.surtax imposed on undistributed earnings.
The alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) imposed under the R.O.C. AMT Act is a supplemental income tax which applies if the amount of regular income tax calculated pursuant to the R.O.C. Income Tax Act and relevant laws and regulations is below the amount of basic tax prescribed under the R.O.C. AMT Act. The taxable income for calculating AMT includes most income that is exempt from income tax under various legislations, such as tax holidays. However, the R.O.C. AMT Act grandfathered certain tax exemptions granted prior to the enactment of the R.O.C. AMT Act. The prevailing AMT rate for business entities is 12%. As we are eligible for tax holidays, AMT is generally applicable to us.
We are eligible for five-year tax holidays for income generated from construction and capacity expansions of production facilities according to regulations under the Statute for Upgrading Industries of the R.O.C. The exemption period may begin at any time within five years, as applicable, following the completion of a construction or expansion of production facilities. The Statute for Upgrading Industries expired at the end of 2009. However, under the Grandfather Clause, we can continue to be eligible for five-year tax holidays if the relevant investment plans were approved by R.O.C. tax authority before the expiration of the Statute. Pursuant to the Grandfather Clause, we commenced the exemption period for part of Fab 12 (Phase IV) and part of Fab 14 (Phase III to VI) in 2014, part of Fab 12 (Phase IV to V) and part of Fab 14 (Phase III to IV) in 2015, and part of Fab 15 (Phase I to IV) and part of Fab 14 (Phase III to IV) in 2018. The aggregate tax benefits of such exemption periods in 2018 and 2019 were NT$33,088 million and NT$29,440 million (US$984 million), net of AMT effect, respectively.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
There are nooff-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenuesrevenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
Inflation & Deflation
During 2015, neither inflation nor deflation had a material impact on our operations, or the business operations of our customers and suppliers.
However, in light of the uncertain global economic outlook and the fluctuating global oil price, we cannot assure that there will be no significant variations in the future, which may have a material impact on our results of operations. For example, the recent dramatic fall in crude oil prices and negative interest rate policy adopted by several key financial hubs such as Japan and the European Union have exacerbated global fluctuations in inflationary and deflationary expectations. In addition, any increase in energy taxes, electricity and water prices in Taiwan may negatively affect our operating margins, resulting in lower margins on our products and services.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Please refer to note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Climate Change Related Issues
The manufacturing, assembling and testing of our products require the use of chemicals and materials that are subject to environmental, climate related, health and safety laws and regulations issued worldwide as well as international accords such as the Kyoto Protocol.Paris Agreement. Climate change related laws or regulations currently are too indefinite for us to assess the impact on our future financial condition with any degree of reasonable certainty. For example, the Taiwan “Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act” became effective on July 1, 2015, and2015. Although certain of its relevant regulations have been promulgated since then, and we expect to see more of its relevant regulations be promulgated by the regulators in the future. Also, the R.O.C. legislative authority is reviewing, at all times, various environmental issues and is in the process of developingto develop laws and regulations relating to environmental protection and climate related changes, including the potential imposition of certain “Energy Tax”.changes. The impact of such laws and regulations is indeterminable at the moment. Please see detailed risk factors related to the impact of climate change regulations and international accords and business trends on our operations in “Item 3. Key Information —– Risk Factors —– Risks Relating to Our Business”. Please also see our compliance record with Taiwan and international environmental and climate related laws and regulations in “Item 4. Information on The Company —– Environmental and Climate Related Laws and Regulations”.
ITEM 6. | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES |
Directors and Executive Officers
MANAGEMENT
Members of our board of directors are elected by our shareholders. Our board of directors is currently composed of eightnine directors. Of our current eightnine directors, five are independent directors.directors: Sir Peter L. Bonfield, Mr. Stan Shih,Ms. Kok-Choo Chen, Mr. Michael R. Splinter, and Mr. Moshe N. Gavrielov (who was elected as independent director at our 2019 annual general meeting of shareholders). We plan to elect a new independent director at the 2020 annual general meeting of shareholders. Our board of directors approved at its meeting in the first quarter of 2020 the nomination of Mr. Yancey Hai as a candidate for independent director. The chairman of the board of directors is elected by the directors. The chairman of the board of directors presides at all meetings of the board of directors, and also has the authority to act as our representative. The term of office for directors is three years.
Pursuant to R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, effective from January 1, 2007, a public company is required to either establish an audit committee or to have supervisors. A public company’s audit committee should be composed of all of its independent directors but not less than three, of which at least one member should have accounting or related financial management expertise, and the relevant provisions under the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, the R.O.C. Company LawAct and other laws applicable to the supervisors are also applicable to the audit committee. Pursuant to R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, effective from March 18, 2011, we are also required to establish a compensation committee which must be composed of qualified independent members as defined under local law. TSMC established its audit committee (the “Audit Committee”) and compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) in 2002 and 2003, respectively (several years before being legally required to do so), which are. The Audit Committee is now composed entirely of independent directors. The Compensation Committee now comprises all five independent directors and one independentnon-director member.
Pursuant to the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, a person may serve as our director in his personal capacity or as the representative of another legal entity. A director who serves as the representative of a legal entity may be removed or replaced at any time at the discretion of that legal entity, and the replacement director may serve the remainder of the term of office of the replaced director. For example, the National Development Fund of Taiwan, R.O.C., one of our largest shareholders, has served as our director since our founding. As a corporate entity, the National Development Fund is required to appoint a representative to act on its behalf. Mr. Johnsee LeeMs. Mei-ling Chen has been the representative of the National Development Fund since August 6, 2010.November 7, 2017.
The following table sets forth the name of each director and executive officer, their positions, the year in which their term expires and the number of years they have been with us as of February 29, 2016.2020. The business address for each of our directors and executive officers is No. 8, Li Hsin Road 6, Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Name | Position with our company | Term Expires | Years with our company | |||||||||
Morris Chang | Chairman | 2018 | 29 | |||||||||
F.C. Tseng | Vice Chairman | 2018 | 29 | |||||||||
Johnsee Lee | Director (Representative of the National Development Fund) | 2018 | 6 | |||||||||
Stan Shih | Independent Director | 2018 | 16 | |||||||||
Sir Peter Leahy Bonfield | Independent Director | 2018 | 14 | |||||||||
Thomas J. Engibous | Independent Director | 2018 | 7 | |||||||||
Kok-Choo Chen | Independent Director | 2018 | 5 | |||||||||
Michael R. Splinter | Independent Director | 2018 | 1 | |||||||||
Mark Liu | President & Co-Chief Executive Officer | — | 22 | |||||||||
C.C. Wei | President & Co-Chief Executive Officer | — | 18 |
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Mark Liu | Chairman | 2021 | 26 | |||||||
C.C. Wei | Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer | 2021 / — | 22 | |||||||
Mei-ling Chen | Director (Representative of the National Development Fund) | 2021 | 3 | |||||||
F.C. Tseng | Director | 2021 | 33 | |||||||
Sir Peter L. Bonfield | Independent Director | 2021 | 18 | |||||||
Stan Shih | Independent Director | 2021 | 20 | |||||||
Kok-Choo Chen | Independent Director | 2021 | 9 | |||||||
Michael R. Splinter | Independent Director | 2021 | 5 | |||||||
Moshe N. Gavrielov(1) | Independent Director | 2021 | 1 | |||||||
Lora Ho | Senior Vice President, Europe & Asia Sales | — | 21 | |||||||
Wei-Jen Lo | Senior Vice President, Research & Development/ Technology Development | — | 16 | |||||||
Rick Cassidy | Senior Vice President, Corporate Strategy Office | — | 23 | |||||||
Y.P. Chin | Senior Vice President, Operations/ Product Development | — | 33 | |||||||
Y.J. Mii | Senior Vice President, Research & Development/ Technology Development | — | 26 | |||||||
J.K. Lin | Senior Vice President, Information Technology and Materials Management & Risk Management | — | 33 | |||||||
J.K. Wang | Senior Vice President, Operations/ Fab Operations | — | 33 | |||||||
Cliff Hou | Vice President, Research & Development/ Technology Development | — | 23 | |||||||
Sylvia Fang | Vice President, Legal and General Counsel/ Corporate Governance Officer | — | 25 | |||||||
Connie Ma | Vice President, Human Resources | — | 6 | |||||||
Y.L. Wang | Vice President, Operations/ Fab Operations | — | 28 | |||||||
Doug Yu | Vice President, Research & Development/ Integrated Interconnect & Packaging | — | 26 | |||||||
Alexander Kalnitsky | Vice President & TSMC Fellow, More-than-Moore Technologies | — | 11 | |||||||
Kevin Zhang | Vice President, Business Development | — | 4 | |||||||
T.S. Chang | Vice President & TSMC Fellow, Operations/ Product Development | — | 25 | |||||||
Michael Wu | Vice President, Research & Development/ Platform Development | — | 23 | |||||||
Min Cao | Vice President, Research & Development/ Pathfinding | — | 18 | |||||||
H.-S. Philip Wong(2) | Vice President, Research & Development/ Corporate Research | — | 2 | |||||||
Marvin Liao | Vice President, Operations/ Advanced Packaging Technology and Service | — | 18 | |||||||
Y.H. Liaw | Vice President, Operations/ Fab Operations | — | 32 | |||||||
Simon Jang | Vice President, Research & Development/ Advanced Tool and Module Development | — | 27 | |||||||
Wendell Huang | Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer/ Spokesperson | — | 21 |
(1) | Mr. Moshe N. Gavrielov was |
(2) | H.-S. Philip Wong resigned on April 1, 2020 and became a special consultant to |
Morris ChangMark Liuis the Chairman. He has been the founding Chairman of our board of directors since our establishment andDr. Mark Liu was our ChiefPresident andCo-Chief Executive Officer from March 1998November 2013 to June 2005. He again served as our Chief Executive Officer since June 2009 before retiring as Chief Executive Officer on November 12, 2013. From 1985 to 1994, he was President and then Chairman of the board of directors of ITRI.2018. Prior to that, Dr. Changhe was our Executive Vice President and ChiefCo-Chief Operating Officer from March 2012 to November 2013, Senior Vice President of General Instrument Corporation; Group Vice-PresidentOperations from 2009 to 2012, Senior Vice President of Advanced Technology Business from 2008 to 2009. From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Liu was Senior Vice President of Operations II. He served in a number of executive positions at TSMC Fabs and the Operations organization from 1999 to 2005. From 1999 to 2000, he served as the President of Worldwide Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Prior to joining us in 1993, from 1987 to 1993, Dr. Liu was with AT&T Bell Laboratory, Holmdel, NJ, as a research manager for Texas Instruments. Hethe High Speed Electronics Research Laboratory, working on optical fiber communication systems. From 1983 to 1987, he was a process integration manager of CMOS technology development at Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, CA, developing silicon process technologies for Intel microprocessor. Dr. Liu is also a membercurrently the Chairman of National Academy of Engineering in the U.S., Life Member Emeritus of MIT Corporation in the U.S., fellow of the Computer History Museum in the U.S. and Laureate of ITRI.Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association. He holds a bachelor’s degreePh.D. in electrical engineering and computer science from University of California, Berkeley.
C.C. Weiis the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. C.C. Wei was our President andCo-Chief Executive Officer from November 2013 to June 2018. He was our Executive Vice President andCo-Chief Operating Officer from March 2012 to November 2013, Senior Vice President of Business Development from 2009 to 2012, and Senior Vice President of Mainstream Technology Business from 2008 to 2009. From 2005 to 2008, Dr. Wei was Senior Vice President of Operations I. He served in a master’s degreenumber of executive positions at TSMC Fabs and the Operations organization from 1998 to 2005. Before joining us in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute1998, he was Senior Vice President of Technology at Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. in Singapore and Senior Manager for Logic and SRAM technology development at STMicroelectronics N.V. in Texas. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from StanfordYale University.
Mei-ling Chen,the representative of the National Development Fund, is a director.Dr. Mei-ling Chen is the Minister without Portfolio, R.O.C. Executive Yuan and concurrently Minister, National Development Council. She served as the Secretary-General of Executive Yuan from May 2016 to September 2017, the Secretary-General of Tainan City Government from 2010 to 2016, the Deputy Secretary-General of Executive Yuan from 2006 to 2008, the Chairperson of Legal Affairs Commission and concurrently Chairperson of Petition Reviewing Commission, Executive Yuan from 2002 to 2006, and the Director-General of Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Justice from 2000 to 2002. Dr. Chen was also an Associate Professor of Law at Chinese Culture University and has been activefrom 2008 to 2010. Dr. Chen holds a Ph.D. in the international semiconductor industry for over 60 years.Law from National Chengchi University.
F.C. Tseng is the Vice Chairman. He has beena director. Previously Dr. F.C. Tseng served as our Vice Chairman sincefrom July 2005. He2005 to June 2018. Prior to that, he was Deputy Chief Executive Officer from August 2001 to June 2005. He is also the Chairman of TSMC China Co., Ltd. and Global Unichip Corp., and the Vice Chairman of VIS. He also serves as an independent director, Chairman of Audit Committee and a member of Compensation Committee of Acer Inc. He formerly served as the President of VIS from 1996 to 1998 and our President from May 1998 to August 2001. Prior to his presidency at VIS, Dr. Tseng served as our Senior Vice President of Operations. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from National Cheng-Kung University and has been active in the semiconductor industry for over 4448 years.
Johnsee LeeSir Peter L. Bonfield, is an independent director. Sir Peter L. Bonfield was the representativeChief Executive Officer and Chairman of the National Development Fund,Executive Committee of British Telecommunications from January 1996 to January 2002, and the Vice President of the British Quality Foundation from its creation in 1993 until 2012. He also served as director of L.M. Ericsson in Sweden, Chairman of GlobalLogic Inc. in the U.S. and senior advisor to Hampton Group in London. He is a director. He iscurrently the Chairman of Personal Genomics, Inc.the Board of Directors of NXP Semiconductor N.V. in the Netherlands. He is also a member of the Longreach Group Advisory Board. He also serves as a board mentor of CMi, a senior advisor to Alix Partners in London and a board member of EastWest Institute in New York. He is a fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Managing DirectorChair of Development Center for Biotechnology, the Honorary Chairman of Taiwan Bio Industry OrganizationCouncil and an independent director of Zhen Ding Technology Holding Ltd., Far Eastern New Century Corp., Everlight Electronics Co., Ltd. and San Fu Chemical Co., Ltd. He was the President of ITRI from 2003 to 2010 and has also served on many government and industrial boards and committees. Before returning to Taiwan, he held various technical and managerial positionsSeniorPro-Chancellor at Argonne National Laboratory and Johnson Matthey Inc.Loughborough University in the U.S. from 1981 to 1990.UK. He holds a Ph.D.an honors degree in chemical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and a MBA from the University of Chicago. He is also a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.Loughborough University.
Stan Shih is an independent director. He is theco-founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Acer Group. He served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Acer Group from 1976 to 2004. He is currently the Director and Honorary Chairman of Acer Inc., and the Chairman of StansStanShih Foundation and Ambi Investment and Consulting Inc., and a director of Qisda Corp., Wistron Corp., Nan Shan Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Egis Technology Inc., Digitimes Inc. and DigitimesChinese Television System Inc. Mr. Shih holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and an honorary Ph.D. in electrical engineering from National Chiao Tung University. He also holds an honorary doctoral degree in technology from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, an honorary fellowship from the University of Wales and an honorary doctoral degree in international law from the Thunderbird, American Graduate School of International Management.
Sir Peter Leahy Bonfield is an independent director. Sir Peter Bonfield was the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Committee of British Telecommunications from January 1996 to January 2002. He was the Vice President of the British Quality Foundation from its creation in 1993 until 2012. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NXP Semiconductor N.V. in the Netherlands and Global Logic Inc. in the U.S. He is also a director of Mentor Graphics Corporation Inc. in U.S. He is a member of the Longreach Group Advisory Board. He also serves as a board mentor of CMi and a senior advisor to Rothschild, Alix Partners and G3 Good Governance Group in London. He is a fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering and the Chair of Council and Senior Pro-Chancellor at Loughborough University in UK. He holds an honors degree in engineering from Longhborough University.
Thomas J. Engibous is an independent director. He joined Texas Instruments (“TI”) in 1976 and served there until retirement in 2008. During his 32-year career at TI, his duties included Chairman from 2004 to 2008, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to 2004, President and Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 1998 and Executive Vice President and President of the company’s Semiconductor Group from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Engibous currently serves as the Lead Director of J.C. Penney Company Inc. and Honorary Trustee of the Southwestern Medical Foundation. He is also a member of National Academy of Engineering and Texas Business Hall of Fame. He received the Woodrow Wilson Award in 2004. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and an honorary doctorate in engineering from Purdue University.
Kok-Choo Chenis an independent director. Ms. Chen served as the Chairman of National Performing Arts Center from 2014 to January 2017, and an advisor to the R.O.C. Executive Yuan from 2009 to 2016. She was the founder and Executive Director of Taipei Story House from 2003 to 2015. She served as our Senior Vice President and General Counsel from 1997 to 2001. Currently, Ms. Chen is the ChairmanFounder and Executive Director of National Performing Arts Center and an advisor to the R.O.C. Executive Yuan.Museum207 located in Taipei. Ms. Chen has over 24 years of experience working in international law firms. She hashad also taught law at Soochow University, National Chengchi University and National Tsing-HuaTsing Hua University in Taiwan for over 28 years. In addition, Ms. Chen was the founder and Executive Director of Taipei Story House from 2003 to 2015. Ms. Chen is licensed to practice law in England, Singapore and California.
Michael R. Splinter is an independent director. Mr. Splinter served as Chief Executive Officer of Applied Materials from 2003 to 2012 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors since 2009 and retired in June 2015. Prior to that, he served at Intel Corp. as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing from 2001 to 2003, and Executive Vice President of Technology and Manufacturing group from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Splinter currently serves as Chairman of NASDAQ, Inc. and Director of The NASDAQ OMX Group,Pica8, Inc., Gogoro Inc. and Pica8,Tigo Energy, Inc. He is also a General Partner of WISC Partners LP. and Chairman of the Board ofUS-Taiwan Business Council. Mr. Splinter obtained his Bachelorholds a master degree in electrical engineering, and Master Degreean honorary Ph.D. in Electrical Engineeringengineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and he was also bestowed an honorary Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin Madison in May 2015.Madison.
Mark LiuMoshe N. Gavrielov is ouran independent director. Mr. Gavrielov served as President and Co-Chief Executive Officer.CEO of Xilinx, Inc. from January 2008 to January 2018 and as Director of Xilinx, Inc. from February 2008 to January 2018. Prior to that, he was ourserved at Cadence Design Systems, Inc. as Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer. From October 2009General Manager of the Verification Division from April 2005 to November 2007, and CEO of Verisity, Ltd. from March 2012, he was Senior Vice President1998 to April 2005. He also served at a variety of Operations. From March 2008 to October 2009, he served as Senior Vice Presidentexecutive management positions in LSI Logic Corp. for nearly 10 years, and engineering and engineering management positions in National Semiconductor Corporation and Digital Equipment Corporation. Currently, Mr. Gavrielov is the Executive Chairman of Advanced Technology Business. From January 2002 to March 2008, he was Senior Vice President of Operations II. He was Vice President of our Fab 8Wind River Systems, Inc. and Fab 12 Sites Operations from July 2000 to January 2002 and Vice President of South-Site Operations from 1999 to July 2000. Dr. Liu joined us in 1993 and held the positions as Director of Fab 3 Operations and Senior Director of South-Site Operations. HeForetellix, Ltd. Mr. Gavrielov holds a Ph.D.bachelor degree in electrical engineering and a master degree in computer science from UniversityTechnion—Israel Institute of California, Berkeley.
C.C. Wei is our President and Co-Chief Executive Officer. Prior to that, he was our Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer. From October 2009 to March 2012, he was Senior Vice President of Business Development. From March 2008 to October 2009, he was Senior Vice President of Mainstream Technology Business. From January 2002 to March 2008, Dr. Wei was Senior Vice President of Operations I. He was Vice President of South-Site Operations from April 2000 to January 2002 and Vice President of North-Site Operations from February 1998 to April 2000. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President at Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. in Singapore starting from 1993. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Yale University.
Stephen T. Tsois our Senior Vice President of Information Technology, Material Management and Risk Management and Chief Information Officer. He joined us as Vice President of Research & Development in December 1996. Prior to that, he was General Manager of Metal CVD Products in Applied Materials. He was assigned as the President of WaferTech in November 2001. Dr. Tso holds a Ph.D. in material science and engineering from University of California, Berkeley.Technology.
Lora Ho is our Senior Vice President of Europe & Asia Sales. Prior to that, she was Senior Vice President of Finance and Europe & Asia Sales/ Chief Financial OfficerOfficer/ Spokesperson from January 2019 to August 2019. She was promoted to Senior Vice President of Finance and Spokesperson.Chief Financial Officer/ Spokesperson in August 2010 and Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer/ Spokesperson in September 2003. Prior to joining us in 1999 as controller, she had served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Acer Semiconductor Manufacturing Inc. since 1990. Ms. Ho holds an MBA from National Taiwan University.
Wei-Jen Lois our Senior Vice President of Research & Development/ Technology Development. He was promoted to Senior Vice President of Research & Development in February 2014. He was Vice President of Research & Development from February 2013 to February 2014, Vice President of Operations/Manufacturing Technology from October 2009 to February 2013, Vice President of Advanced Technology Business from September 2009 to October 2009, Vice President of Research & Development from June 2006 to September 2009, and Vice President of Operations from July 2004 to June 2006. Prior to that,joining us in 2004, he was Director in charge of advanced technology development with Intel Corporation. Dr. Lo holds a Ph.D. in solid state physics & surface chemistry from University of California, Berkeley.
Rick Cassidy is our Senior Vice President, of TSMC and PresidentCorporate Strategy Office. Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of TSMC North America.America from 2017 to January 2019. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in February 2014. He was2014, Vice President of TSMC and President of TSMC North America fromin February 2008 to February 2014, and President ofhad led TSMC North America from January 2005 to February 2008.2018. He joined us in 1997 and has held various positions in TSMC North America, including Business Operations, Field Technical Support, and Business Management. He holds a B.A. degree in engineering technology from United States Military Academy at West Point.
M.C. TzengY.P. Chinis our Senior Vice President of Operations/Affiliate Fabs. From March 2008 Product Development. He was promoted to October 2009, he wasSenior Vice President of Mainstream Technology Business. Prior to that, hein November 2016. He was Vice President of Operations I from January 2002October 2009 to March 2008. He was the Senior Director of Fab 2 Operations from 1997 to January 2002. He joined us in 1987 and has held various positions in manufacturing functions. He holds a master degree in applied chemistry from Chung Yuan University.
Jack Sunis our Chief Technology Officer, effective November 2009, and also has been our Vice President of Research & Development since 2006. He was promoted to Senior Director in 2000. He joined us in 1997 as Director of Advanced Module Technology Division before taking the position of Director, Logic Technology Development Division. Prior to that, he served at International Business Machines for 14 years in Research & Development. Dr. Sun holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Y.P. Chinis Vice President of Operations/Product Development. He was2016, Vice President of Advanced Technology Business from March 2008 to October 2009. Prior to that, he was Senior Director of Operations II from June 2006 to March 2008 and Senior Director of Product Engineering & Services from 2000 to 2006. He joined us in 1987 and has held various positions in product and engineering functions. He holds a master degree in electrical engineering from National Cheng Kung University.
N.S. Tsai has been Vice President of Quality & Reliability since February 2008. Prior to that, he was Senior Director of Quality & Reliability since 2004, Senior Director of Assembly Test Technology & Service from 2002 to 2004. Dr. Tsai also served as a Vice President of VIS from 1997 to 2000. He joined us in 1989 and held various positions in research and development and manufacturing functions. He holds a Ph.D. in material science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
J.K. Lin is our Vice President of Operations/Mainstream Fabs and Manufacturing Technology. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations in August 2010. Prior to that, he was Senior Director of Mainstream Fabs from May to August in 2010. He joined us in 1987 and held various positions in manufacturing functions. He holds a B.S. degree from National Changhua University of Education.
J.K. Wang is our Vice President of Operations/300mm Fabs. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations in August 2010. Prior to that, he was Senior Director of 300mm Fabs from May to August in 2010. He joined us in 1987 and held various positions in manufacturing and research and development functions. He holds a master degree in chemical engineering from National Cheng-Kung University.
Irene Sun is our Vice President of Corporate Planning Organization. She was promoted to Vice President of Corporate Planning Organization in August 2010. Prior to that, she was Senior Director of Corporate Planning Organization from 2009 to 2010. She joined us in 2003 and held various positions in Corporate Planning Organization. She holds a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Cornell University.
Y.J. Mii is our Senior Vice President of Research & Development/ Technology Development. He was promoted to Senior Vice President in November 2016. He was Vice President of Research and& Development infrom August 2011.2011 to November 2016. Prior to that, he was our Senior Director of Platform I Division from 2006 to 2011. He joined us in 1994 and has been involved continuously in the development and manufacturing of advanced CMOS technologies in both Operations and Research & Development. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.
J.K. Linis our Senior Vice President of Information Technology and Materials Management & Risk Management. He led the organization from August 2018 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in November 2018. Prior to that, he was our Vice President of Operations/ Mainstream Fabs from August 2010 to August 2018. He joined us in 1987 and held various positions in manufacturing functions. He holds a B.S. degree from National Changhua University of Education.
J.K. Wangis our Senior Vice President of Operations/ Fab Operations. He was promoted to Senior Vice President of Operations in November 2018. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Operations/ 300mm Fabs from August 2010 to August 2018 and Operations/ Fab Operations from August to November 2018. He joined us in 1987 and held various positions in manufacturing and research and development functions. He holds a master degree in chemical engineering from National Cheng-Kung University.
Cliff Houis our Vice President of Research & Development/ Technology Development. He was promoted to Vice President of Research & DevelopmentDevelopment/ Design and Technology Platform in August 2011.2011 and led the organization until his transfer to Technology Development. Prior to that, he was Senior Director of Design and Technology Platform from 2010 to 2011. He joined us in 1997 and established the Company’s technology design kit and reference flow development organizations. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Syracuse University.
Been-Jon Woo is our Vice President of Business Development. She was promoted to Vice President of Business Development in November 2013. Prior to that, she was Director of Business Development from March 2013 to November 2013. She joined us in 2009 and was in charge of advanced technology roadmap and technology definition for 28/20-nanometer for high performance and low power applications. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from University of Southern California.
Sylvia Fang is our Vice President of Legal and General Counsel.Counsel/ Corporate Governance Officer. She was promoted to Vice President and General Counsel of Legal Organization in August 2014. Prior to that, she was Associate General Counsel of Legal Organization from February to July 2014. She joined us in 1995 and held various positions in legal functions. She holds a master degree in comparative law from University of Iowa. Ms. Fang is licensed to practice law in Taiwan.
Connie Ma is our Vice President of Human Resources. She was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources in August, 2014. Prior to joining us as Director of Human Resources in June 2014, she was a Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources at Trend Micros, Inc. She holds an EMBA from National Taiwan University.
Y.L. Wang is our Vice President of Research & Development. He was promoted to Vice President in November 2015.Operations/ Fab Operations. Prior to that, he was our Senior DirectorVice President of FABResearch & Development/ Technology Development from February 2016 to April 2018 and Vice President of Operations/ Fab 14B from November 2015 to January 2016 after his promotion to November in 2015.this position. He joined us in 1992 and held various positions in manufacturing functions. He holds a Ph.D. in electronics engineering from National Chiao Tung University.
Doug Yu is our Vice President of Research & Development/ Integrated Interconnect & Packaging. He was promoted to Vice President of Research & Development in November 2016. Prior to that, he was our Senior Director of Integrated Interconnect & Packaging Division. He joined us in 1994 and was in charge of development of interconnect technology for integrated circuits. He holds a Ph.D. in materials engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
Alexander Kalnitsky is our Vice President & TSMC Fellow of More-than-Moore Technologies. Prior to that, he was Vice President of Research & Development from 2016 to 2018 since his promotion to the position in November 2016. He joined us in 2009 and was in charge of HV/Power/Analog/RF/CIS/MEMS processes development. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Carleton University.
Kevin Zhang is our Vice President of Business Development. He joined us in November 2016 as Vice President of Research & Development/ Design and Technology Platform. Prior to joining us in November 2016, he was a Vice President of Technology and Manufacturing Group of Circuit Technology at Intel. He holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Duke University.
T.S. Chang is our Vice President & TSMC Fellow of Operations/ Product Development. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations/ Fab 12B in February 2018 and held the position until his transfer to Product Development in November 2018. Prior to that, he was our Senior Director of Fab 12B. He joined us in 1995 and held various positions in manufacturing functions. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from National Tsing Hua University.
Michael Wu is our Vice President of Research & Development/ Platform Development. He was promoted to Vice President in February 2018. Prior to that, he was our Senior Director of Platform Development Division. He joined us in 1996 and participated in advanced CMOS technology development. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Min Cao is our Vice President of Research & Development/ Pathfinding. He was promoted to Vice President in February 2018. Prior to that, he was our Senior Director of Path-finding Division. He joined us in 2002 and participated in development of multiple generations of advanced CMOS technology. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Stanford University.
H.-S. Philip Wong is our Vice President of Research & Development/ Corporate Research. Prior to joining us in 2018 as Vice President, he had served as Willard R. and Inez Kerr Bell Professor in the School of Engineering, Stanford University and Senior Manager at IBM Research. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University.
Marvin Liao is our Vice President of Operations/ Advanced Packaging Technology and Service. He was promoted to Vice President in November 2018. Prior to that, he was Technical Director in Fab 6 upon joining us in 2002 and later Senior Director of Backend Technology and Service Division. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from University of Texas-Arlington.
Y.H. Liaw is our Vice President of Operations/ Fab Operations. He was promoted to Vice President of Operations/ Fab 15B in February 2019 and held the position until his transfer to Fab Operations in June 2019. He joined us in 1988 and held various positions in manufacturing functions. He holds a M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from National Tsing Hua University.
Simon Jang is our Vice President of Research & Development/ Advanced Tool and Module Development. He was promoted to Vice President in August 2019. Prior to that, he was our Senior Director of Advanced Tool and Module Development Division. He joined us in 1993 and held various positions in research and development functions. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Wendell Huang is our Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer/ Spokesperson. He was promoted to Vice President of Finance in September 2019. Prior to that, he was Deputy Chief Financial Officer of Finance from January 2019 to August 2019 and Senior Director of Finance Division from 2010 to 2018. Prior to joining us in 1999, he was Vice President of Corporate Finance at ING Barings. He holds an MBA from Cornell University.
There is no family relationship between or amongst any of the persons named above. Other than that one of our directorsDirectors,Ms. Mei-Ling Chen, is the representative of our shareholder, National Development Fund of the Executive Yuan, there is no arrangement or executive officers.understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management.
Share Ownership
The following table sets forth certain information as of February 29, 20162020 with respect to our common shares owned by our directors and executive officers.
Name of Shareholders(5) | Number of Common Shares Owned(4) | Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares(4) | ||||||
Morris Chang, Chairman | 125,137,914 | 0.48% | ||||||
F.C. Tseng, Vice Chairman | 34,472,675 | 0.13% | ||||||
Johnsee Lee, Director(1) | 1,653,709,980 | 6.38% | ||||||
Stan Shih, Independent Director | 1,480,286 | 0.01% | ||||||
Sir Peter Leahy Bonfield, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Thomas J. Engibous, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Kok-Choo Chen, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Michael R. Splinter, Independent Director(2) | — | — | ||||||
Mark Liu, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 12,977,114 | 0.05% | ||||||
C.C. Wei, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer | 7,179,207 | 0.03% | ||||||
Stephen T. Tso, Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer | 13,217,064 | 0.05% | ||||||
Lora Ho, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Spokesperson | 4,481,080 | 0.02% | ||||||
Wei-Jen Lo, Senior Vice President | 1,468,127 | 0.01% | ||||||
Rick Cassidy, Senior Vice President of TSMC & President of TSMC North America | — | — | ||||||
M.C. Tzeng, Vice President | 7,592,595 | 0.03% | ||||||
Jack Sun, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer | 4,195,831 | 0.02% | ||||||
Y.P. Chin, Vice President | 7,150,122 | 0.03% | ||||||
N.S. Tsai, Vice President | 2,033,180 | 0.01% | ||||||
J.K. Lin, Vice President | 12,498,018 | 0.05% | ||||||
J.K. Wang, Vice President | 2,553,947 | 0.01% | ||||||
Irene Sun, Vice President | 420,709 | 0.00% | ||||||
Y.J. Mii, Vice President | 1,000,419 | 0.00% | ||||||
Cliff Hou, Vice President | 352,532 | 0.00% | ||||||
Been-Jon Woo, Vice President | 265,000 | 0.00% | ||||||
Sylvia Fang, Vice President & General Counsel | 700,285 | 0.00% | ||||||
Connie Ma, Vice President | 50,000 | 0.00% | ||||||
Y.L Wang, Vice President(3) | 218,535 | 0.00% |
Name of Shareholders(1) | Number of Common Shares Owned(2) | Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares(2) | ||||||
Mark Liu, Chairman | 12,913,114 | 0.05% | ||||||
C.C. Wei, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | 7,179,207 | 0.03% | ||||||
Mei-Ling Chen, Director (Representative of the National Development Fund)(3) | 1,653,709,980 | 6.38% | ||||||
F.C. Tseng, Director | 34,472,675 | 0.13% | ||||||
Stan Shih, Independent Director | 1,480,286 | 0.01% | ||||||
Sir Peter L. Bonfield, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Kok-Choo Chen, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Michael R. Splinter, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Moshe N. Gavrielov, Independent Director | — | — | ||||||
Lora Ho, Senior Vice President | 4,531,080 | 0.02% | ||||||
Wei-Jen Lo, Senior Vice President | 1,441,127 | 0.01% | ||||||
Rick Cassidy, Senior Vice President | — | — | ||||||
Y.P. Chin, Senior Vice President | 6,920,122 | 0.03% | ||||||
Y.J. Mii, Senior Vice President | 1,000,419 | 0.00% | ||||||
J.K. Lin, Senior Vice President | 12,518,018 | 0.05% | ||||||
J.K. Wang, Senior Vice President | 2,553,947 | 0.01% | ||||||
Cliff Hou, Vice President | 366,351 | 0.00% | ||||||
Sylvia Fang, Vice President & General Counsel/ Corporate Governance Officer | 700,285 | 0.00% | ||||||
Connie Ma, Vice President | 139,000 | 0.00% | ||||||
Y.L. Wang, Vice President | 218,535 | 0.00% | ||||||
Doug Yu, Vice President | 225,000 | 0.00% | ||||||
Alexander Kalnitsky, Vice President & TSMC Fellow | — | — | ||||||
Kevin Zhang, Vice President | — | — | ||||||
T.S. Chang, Vice President & TSMC Fellow | 173,781 | 0.00% | ||||||
Michael Wu, Vice President | 478,501 | 0.00% |
Name of Shareholders(1) | Number of Common Shares Owned(2) | Percentage of Outstanding Common Shares(2) | ||||||
Min Cao, Vice President | 363,152 | 0.00% | ||||||
H.-S. Philip Wong, Vice President(4) | — | — | ||||||
Marvin Liao, Vice President | 50,485 | 0.00% | ||||||
Y.H. Liaw, Vice President | 370,000 | 0.00% | ||||||
Simon Jang, Vice President | 350,695 | 0.00% | ||||||
Wendell Huang, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer/ Spokesperson | 1,651,418 | 0.01% |
(1) | None of |
(2) |
Except for the number of shares held by the National Development Fund, |
Represented shares held by the National Development Fund, Executive Yuan. |
(4) | H.-S. Philip Wong resigned on April 1, 2020 and |
Compensation
The aggregate compensation paid and benefits in kind granted to our directors and executive officers in 2015, which included a cash bonus to the directors, was NT$1,894 million (US$58 million). According to our Articles of Incorporation, not more than 0.3 percent of our annual profits (defined under local law), after recovering any losses incurred in prior years, if any, may be distributed as compensation to our directors and at least one percent of our annual profits may be distributed as profit sharing bonuses to employees, including executive officers. Compensation to directors is always paid in cash, while bonuses to our executive officers may be granted in cash, stock, or stock options or the combination of all these three. Individual awards are based on each individual’s job responsibility, contribution and performance. See note 3831 to our consolidated financial statements. Under our Articles of Incorporation, directors who also serve as executive officers are not entitled to any director compensation.
Remuneration Paid to Directors
The following table presents the remuneration paid and benefits in kind granted to ournon-employee directors in 2019:
Name/Title | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash | Stock Awards | All Other Compensation(3) | Total | ||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | ||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Mark Liu, Chairman | 291.9 | — | 1.6 | 293.4 | 9.8 | |||||||||||||||
F.C. Tseng, Director(1) | 9.6 | — | 1.7 | 11.3 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Mei-ling Chen, Director (Representative of National Development Fund, Executive Yuan) | 9.6 | — | — | 9.6 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||
Sir Peter L. Bonfield, Independent Director | 14.8 | — | — | 14.8 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||
Stan Shih, Independent Director | 12.0 | — | — | 12.0 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Kok-Choo Chen, Independent Director | 12.0 | — | — | 12.0 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||
Michael R. Splinter, Independent Director | 14.8 | — | — | 14.8 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||
Moshe N. Gavrielov, Independent Director(2) | 8.5 | — | — | 8.5 | 0.3 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | 373.2 | — | 3.3 | 376.4 | 12.6 | |||||||||||||||
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(1) | In addition to the above, F.C. Tseng received NT$8.9 million of compensation fromnon-consolidated affiliates and NT$14.4 million of Advisor Fee from TSMC. |
(2) | Mr. Moshe N. Gavrielov was elected as TSMC’s independent director at TSMC’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting on June 5, 2019. |
(3) | Included pensions funded according to applicable law and expenses for company cars, but did not include compensation paid to car drivers made available to directors. |
Compensation Paid to Executive Officers(1)
The following table presents the compensation paid and benefits in kind granted to our executive officers in 2019:
Name/Title | Salary | Bonus(4) | Stock Awards | All Other Compensation(5) | Total | |||||||||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | US$ | |||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C.C. Wei, Chief Executive Officer | 10.2 | 279.1 | — | 4.1 | 293.4 | 9.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Wendell Huang, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer/ Spokesperson(2) | 1.3 | 14.6 | — | 1.0 | 16.9 | 0.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Lora Ho, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wei-Jen Lo, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rick Cassidy, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y.P. Chin, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y.J. Mii, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J.K. Lin, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J.K. Wang, Senior Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
N.S. Tsai, Vice President(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Irene Sun, Vice President(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cliff Hou, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sylvia Fang, Vice President & General Counsel/ Corporate Governance Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Connie Ma, Vice President | 99.4 | 1,094.3 | — | 41.6 | 1,235.4 | 41.3 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||
Y.L. Wang, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Doug Yu, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Alexander Kalnitsky, Vice President & TSMC Fellow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Kevin Zhang, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T.S. Chang, Vice President & TSMC Fellow | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Michael Wu, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Min Cao, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H.-S. Philip Wong, Vice President(3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marvin Liao, Vice President | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Y.H. Liaw, Vice President(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Simon Jang, Vice President(2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 111.0 | 1,388.0 | — | 46.8 | 1,545.7 | 51.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | The total compensation paid to the executive officers is decided based on their job responsibility, contribution, company performance and projected future risks the Company will face. It is reviewed by the Compensation Committee then submitted to the Board of Directors for approval. |
(2) | Wendell Huang, Y.H. Liaw and Simon Jang were promoted to Vice President in 2019. These amounts did not include compensation for the period before their promotion. |
(3) | N.S. Tsai and Irene Sun retired in 2019.H.-S. Philip Wong resigned on April 1, 2020 and became a special consultant to TSMC. |
(4) | Included cash bonus and profit sharing bonus. |
(5) | Included pensions funded according to applicable law and expenses for company cars. In accordance with TSMC Procedure of Retirement, we made the pension payment of NT$28 million to N.S. Tsai and Irene Sun. |
(6) | Aggregate amount for executive officers other than C.C. Wei and Wendell Huang. |
Board Practices
General
For a discussion of the term of office of the board of directors, see “– Directors and Executive Officers – Management”. No benefits are payable to members of the Board upon termination of their relationship with us.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee was established on August 6, 2002 to assist our board of directors in the review and monitoring of our financial and accounting matters, and the integrity of our financial reporting process and controls.
All members of the Audit Committee must have a basic understanding of finance and accounting and at least one member must have accounting or related financial management expertise.
Currently, the Audit Committee consists of five members comprising all of our independent directors. The members of the Audit Committee are Sir Peter L. Bonfield, the Chairman of our Audit Committee, Mr. Stan Shih, Mr. Thomas J. Engibous, Ms. Kok-Choo Chen, and Mr. Michael R. Splinter.Splinter, and Mr. Moshe N. Gavrielov. In addition, Mr. Jan C. Lobbezoo was appointed to serve as a financial expert consultant to the Audit Committee from February 14, 2006 onwards. See “Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert”. The Audit Committee is required to meet at least once every quarter. Our Audit Committee charter grants the Audit Committee the authority to conduct any investigation which it deems appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities. It has direct access to all our books, records, facilities, and personnel, as well as our registered public accountants. It has the authority to, among other things, appoint, terminate and approve all fees to be paid to our registered public accountants, subject to the approval of the board of directors as appropriate, and to oversee the work performed by the registered public accountants. The Audit Committee also has the authority to engage special legal, accounting, or other consultants it deems necessary in the performance of its duties. Beginning on January 1, 2007, the Audit Committee also assumed the responsibilities of supervisors pursuant to the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law.
The Audit Committee convened four regular meetings and one special meeting in 2015.2019. In addition to these meetings, the Audit Committee members and consultant participated in fivefour telephone conferences to discuss our Annual Report to be filed with the Taiwan and U.S. authorities and investor conference materials with management.
As part of its risk oversight of our operations and financial controls, our Audit Committee receives and reviews periodic reports from the head of our IT operations relating to our information technology and security matters, including any cybersecurity incidents, assessment of new and emerging cybersecurity risks and threats and their proposed improvement measures. Based on such reviews and their discussions with the head of our IT operations, our Audit Committee assists our Board to review, assess, and enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of our cybersecurity policies and procedures on an ongoing basis.
Compensation Committee
Our board of directors established a Compensation Committee in June 2003 to assist our board of directors in discharging its responsibilities related to our compensation and benefit policies, plans and programs, and the compensation of our directors of the Board and executives.
The members of the Compensation Committee are appointed by the Board as required by R.O.C. law. The Compensation Committee, by its charter, shall consist of no fewer than three independent directors of the Board. Currently, the Compensation Committee is comprisedcomprises all of allour five independent directors.directors and Mr. Yancey Hai, the Chairman of Delta Electronics, Inc., an independentnon-director member who was appointed pursuant to R.O.C. law. The members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Stan Shih,Michael R. Splinter, the Chairman of our Compensation Committee, Sir Peter L. Bonfield, Mr. Thomas J. Engibous, Stan Shih,Ms. Kok-Choo Chen, Mr. Moshe N. Gavrielov and Mr. Michael R. Splinter.Yancey Hai.
The Compensation Committee convened four regular meetings in 2015.2019.
Employees
The following table sets out, as of the dates indicated, the number of our full-time employees serving in the capacities indicated.
As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Function | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
Managers | 4,078 | 4,385 | 4,669 | 5,107 | 5,294 | 5,364 | ||||||||||||||||||
Professionals | 17,205 | 18,552 | 19,645 | 21,895 | 22,285 | 24,416 | ||||||||||||||||||
Assistant Engineers/Clericals | 3,236 | 3,530 | 3,789 | 4,082 | 4,109 | 4,357 | ||||||||||||||||||
Technicians | 15,964 | 17,124 | 17,169 | 17,518 | 17,064 | 17,160 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 40,483 | 43,591 | 45,272 | 48,602 | 48,752 | 51,297 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The following table sets out, as of the dates indicated, a breakdown of the number of our full-time employees by geographic location:
As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Location of Facility and Principal Offices | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan | 21,096 | 22,329 | 23,583 | 24,488 | 23,998 | 24,442 | ||||||||||||||||||
Southern Taiwan Science Park, Taiwan | 10,772 | 12,577 | 12,415 | 10,276 | 11,157 | 12,771 | ||||||||||||||||||
Central Taiwan Science Park, Taiwan | 4,721 | 4,480 | 4,003 | 6,825 | 6,868 | 7,333 | ||||||||||||||||||
Taoyuan County, Taiwan | — | — | 996 | 1,804 | 1,482 | 1,475 | ||||||||||||||||||
China | 2,407 | 2,669 | 2,707 | 3,598 | 3,634 | 3,679 | ||||||||||||||||||
North America | 1,397 | 1,450 | 1,479 | 1,522 | 1,522 | 1,513 | ||||||||||||||||||
Europe | 53 | 50 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||
Japan | 33 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||
Korea | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Total | 40,483 | 43,591 | 45,272 | 48,602 | 48,752 | 51,297 | ||||||||||||||||||
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As of December 31, 2015,2019, our total employee population was 45,27251,297 with an educational makeup of 4.4%4.5% Ph.Ds, 39.2%44.7% masters, 26.2%25.3% university bachelors, 12.2%10.6% college degrees and 18.0%14.8% others. Among this employee population, 53.7%58.1% were at a managerial or professional level. Continuous learning is the cornerstone of our employee development strategy. Individual development plans are tailor-made to individual development needs for each employee. Employee development is further supported and enforced by a comprehensive network of resources including on-the-jobon the job training, coaching, mentoring, job rotation, classroom training,e-learning and external learning opportunities.
Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporation, our employees participate in our profits sharing program by way of a bonus. Employees in the aggregate are entitled to not less than 1% of our annual profits (defined under local law), after recovering any losses incurred in prior years, if any.years. Our practice in the past has been to determine the amount of the bonus based on our operating results and industry practice in the R.O.C. In 20142018 and 2015,2019, we distributed an employees’ cash bonus of NT$17,64623,570 million (US$538 million) and an annual employees’ cash profit sharing bonus of NT$17,48123,570 million to our employees in relation to year 2018 profits. In 2019 and 2020, we distributed an employees’ cash bonus of NT$23,166 million (US$533775 million) to our employees in relation to year 2014 earnings. In 2015 and 2016, we also distributed an2019 profits. Annual employees’ cash bonus of NT$20,557 million (US$627 million) to our employees in relation to year 2015 profits. Employee cash profit sharing bonus of NT$20,55723,166 million (US$775 million) in relation to year 20152019 profits will be distributed in July 2016 after the board of director’s approval.2020.
As to employee relations, we valuetwo-way communication and are committed to keeping our communication channels open and transparent between the management level and their subordinates. In addition, we are dedicated to providing diverse employee engagement programs, which support our goals in reinforcing close rapport with employees and maintaining harmonious labor relations.
ITEM 7. | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth certain information as of February 29, 2016,2020, with respect to our common shares owned by (i) each person who, according to our records, beneficially owned five percent or more of our common shares and by (ii) all directors and executive officers as a group.
Names of Shareholders | Number of Common Shares Owned | Percentage of Total Outstanding Common Shares | ||
National Development Fund(1) | 1,653,709,980 | 6.38% | ||
Capital World Investors(2) | 1,360,900,419 | 5.25% | ||
Directors and executive officers as a group(3) | 239,444,640 | 0.92% |
Names of Shareholders | Number of Common Shares Owned | Percentage of Total Outstanding Common Shares | ||||||
National Development Fund, Executive Yuan | 1,653,709,980 | 6.38 | % | |||||
Capital World Investors(1) | 1,336,913,550 | 5.16 | % | |||||
BlackRock, Inc.(2) | 1,335,216,856 | 5.15 | % | |||||
Directors and executive officers as a group(3) | 90,097,198 | 0.35 | % |
(1) |
According to the Schedule 13G of Capital World Investors filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February |
(2) | According to the Schedule 13G of BlackRock, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2020, BlackRock, Inc. is the parent holding company or control person of several entities with interests in us. We do not have further information with respect to BlackRock, Inc.’s ownership in us subsequent to its Schedule 13G filed on February 6, 2020. |
(3) | Excluded ownership of the National Development |
As of February 29, 20162020, a total of 25,930,380,458 common shares were outstanding. With certain limited exceptions, holders of common shares that are not R.O.C. persons are required to hold their common shares through their custodians in the R.O.C. As of February 29, 2016, 5,363,175,2532020, 5,325,454,093 common shares were registered in the name of a nominee of Citibank, N.A., the depositary under our ADS deposit agreement. Citibank, N.A., has advised us that, as of February 29, 2016, 1,072,635,0452020, 1,065,090,813 ADSs, representing 5,363,175,2535,325,454,093 common shares, were held of record by Cede & Co. and 198169 other registered shareholders domiciled in and outside of the United States. We have no further information as to common shares held, or beneficially owned, by U.S. persons.
Our major shareholders have the same voting rights as our other shareholders. For a description of the voting rights of our shareholders, see “Item 10. Additional Information —– Description of Common Shares —– Voting Rights”.
We are currently not aware of any arrangement that may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of us.
Related Party Transactions
Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (“VIS”)
In 1994, we, the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs and other investors established VIS, then an integrated DRAM manufacturer. VIS commenced volume commercial production in 1995 and listed its shares on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange)Taipei Exchange in March 1998. In 2004, VIS completely terminated its DRAM production and became a dedicated foundry company. On April 14, 2014 and June 12, 2015, we sold 82 million and 82 million common shares of VIS, respectively. Subsequent to the above sales, we owned approximately 28.3% of the equity interest in VIS. As of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned approximately 28.3% of the equity interest in VIS.
On April 1, 2004, we entered into an agreement with VIS with an initial term of two years. During the term of this agreement, VIS iswas obligated to use its best commercial efforts to manufacture wafers at specified yield rates for us up to a fixed amount of reserved capacity per month, and TSMC iswas required to use its best commercial efforts to maintain utilization of such reserved capacity within a specified range of wafers per month. Pursuant to its terms, upon expiration of its initialtwo-year term, this agreement is to be automatically renewed for additional one year periods unless earlier terminated by the parties. This Agreement has been so renewed per its terms. We pay VIS at a fixed discount to the actual selling price as mutually agreed between the parties in respect of each purchase order. We also agreed to license VIS certain of our process technologies and transfer certain technical know-how and information. TSMC receives from VIS certain royalty payments for granting such licenses. We leased office from VIS based on the lease terms and prices determined in the mutual agreement. The rental expenses were paid to VIS monthly and classified under manufacturing expenses. In 2015,2019, we had total purchases of NT$7,1493,093 million (US$218103 million) from VIS, representing 1.7%0.5% of our total cost of revenue.
Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company Pte. Ltd. (“SSMC”)
SSMC is a joint venture in Singapore that we established with Philips and EDB Investment Pte. Ltd. to produce integrated circuits by means of advanced submicron manufacturing processes. These integrated circuits are made pursuant to the product design specifications provided primarily by us and Philips under an agreement with Philips, and EDB Investment Pte. Ltd. (the “SSMC Shareholders Agreement”) in March 1999 and, primarily by us and NXP Semiconductors N.V. (“NXP”), subsequent to the assignment by Philips of its rights to NXP and NXP’s assumption of Philips’ obligations under the SSMC Shareholders Agreement pursuant to the Assignment and Assumption Agreement effective September 25, 2006. SSMC’s business is limited to manufacturing wafers for us, our subsidiaries, NXP and NXP’s subsidiaries. In November 15, 2006, we and NXP exercised the option rights under the SSMC Shareholders Agreement to purchase all of the SSMC shares owned by EDB Investment Pte. Ltd. As a result, we now own 38.8%, and NXP owns 61.2% of SSMC. While we, together with NXP, have the right to purchase up to 100% of SSMC’s annual capacity, we and NXP are required to purchase, in the aggregate, at least 70% of SSMC’s full capacity; we, alone, are required to purchase up to 28% of the annual installed capacity. See below for a detailed discussion of the contract terms we entered into with SSMC.
We entered into a technology cooperation agreement with SSMC effective March 30, 1999 in which SSMC agreed to base at least a major part of its production activities on processes compatible to those in use in our metal oxide semiconductor (“MOS”) integrated circuits wafer volume production fabs. In return, we have agreed to provide SSMC with access to and benefit of the technical knowledge and experience relating to certain processes in use in our MOS integrated circuits wafer volume production fabs and to assist SSMC by rendering certain technical services in connection with its production activities. In addition, we granted to SSMC limited licenses of related intellectual property rights owned or controlled by us for the purpose of MOS integrated circuit production for the sole use in manufacturing products for us. SSMC pays to us during, and up to three years after, the term of this agreement a remuneration of a fixed percentage of the net selling price of all products manufactured by SSMC. In 2015,2019, we had total purchases of NT$3,9783,209 million (US$121107 million) from SSMC, representing 0.9%0.6% of our total cost of revenue.
Global Unichip Corporation (“GUC”)
In January 2003, we acquired a 52.0% equity interest in GUC, a System-on-Chip (SoC)SoC design service company that provides large scale SoC implementation services. GUC has been listed its shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange sincein November 3, 2006. Since July 2011, we were no longer deemed to be a controlling entity of GUC and its subsidiaries due to the termination of a Shareholders’ Agreement. As a result, we no longer consolidated GUC and its subsidiaries in our financial statements. As of February 29, 2016,2020, we owned approximately 34.8% of the equity interest in GUC.
In 2015,2019, we had total sales of NT$4,1475,654 million (US$126189 million) to GUC, representing 0.5% of our total revenue.
Xintec, Inc. (“Xintec”)
In January 2007, we acquired a 51.2% equity interest in Xintec, a supplier of wafer level packaging service, to support our CMOS image sensor manufacturing business. Since June 2013, we no longer consolidated Xintec in our financial statements as the number of our appointed directors on Xintec’s board consisted less than a majority. On March 30, 2015, Xintec listed its shares on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange).Taipei Exchange in March 2015. Subsequent to Xintec’s IPO, our shareholding in Xintec was diluted to approximately 41.2%. On November 20, 2015, we obtained additional 10.2% beneficial equity interest in Xintec from OmniVision Technologies Inc. (“OVT”) when OVT was acquired by a Chinese consortium, and subsequently sold 5.1%As of the equity interest in Xintec each on November 30, 2015 and April 11, 2016, respectively. Following the above transactions,February 29, 2020, we owned approximately 41.1%41.0% of the equity interest in Xintec.
In 2015,2019, we leased machinery and equipment from Xintec based on the lease terms and prices determined in the mutual agreement. The related rental expenses were paid to Xintec quarterly and classified under manufacturing expenses. We incurred total manufacturing expenses of NT$2,3182,823 million (US$7194 million) from Xintec, representing 0.5% of our total cost of revenue.
ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Consolidated Financial Statements and Other Financial Information
Please see “Item 18. Financial Statements”. Other than as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, no significant change has occurred since the date of the annual consolidated financial statements.
Legal Proceedings
As is the case with many companies in the semiconductor industry, we have received from time to time communications from third parties asserting that our technologies, our manufacturing processes, or the design of the integrated circuitssemiconductors made by us or the use of those integrated circuitssemiconductors by our customers may infringe upon their patents or other intellectual property rights. These assertions have at times resulted in litigation by or against us and settlement payments by us. Irrespective of the validity of these claims, we could incur significant costs in the defense thereof or could suffer adverse effects on our operations. We are also subject to antitrust compliance requirements and scrutiny by governmental regulators in multiple jurisdictions. Any adverse results of such proceeding or other similar proceedings that may arise in those jurisdictions could harm our business and distract our management, and thereby have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or prospects, and subject us to potential significant legal liability.
On September 28, 2017, we were contacted by the European Commission, which has asked us for information and documents concerning alleged anti-competitive practices in relation to semiconductor sales. We are cooperating with the European Commission to provide the requested information and documents. In light of the fact that this proceeding is still in its preliminary stage, it is premature to predict how the case will proceed, the outcome of the proceeding or its impact.
In June 2010, Keranos, LLC.February 2019, Innovative Foundry Technologies LLC (“IFT”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of TexasDelaware alleging that TSMC and TSMC Technology Inc. infringe five U.S. patents. IFT also filed a complaint in the U.S. International Trade Commission (the “ITC”) alleging that TSMC, TSMC North America, TSMC Technology Inc., and several other leading technology companies infringe three expired U.S.the same patents. In response, TSMC, TSMC North America,The ITC instituted an investigation in March 2019. Both parties agreed to end the dispute and several co-defendantsthe ITC terminated the investigation in the Texas case filed a lawsuit against KeranosOctober 2019. The pending litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in November 2010, seeking a judgment declaring that they did not infringe the asserted patents, and that those patents were invalid. These two litigations have been consolidated into a single lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In February 2014, the Court entered a final judgment in favor of TSMC, dismissing all of Keranos’ claims against TSMC with prejudice. Keranos appealed the final judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and in August 2015, the Federal Circuit remanded the case back to the Texas court for further proceedings. The outcome cannot be determined at this time.
In December 2010, Ziptronix, Inc. filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California accusing TSMC, TSMC North America and one other company of infringing several U.S. patents. In September 2014, the Court granted summary judgment of noninfringement in favor of TSMC and TSMC North America. Ziptronix, Inc. can appeal the Court’s order. In August 2015, Tessera Technologies, Inc. announced it had acquired Ziptronix. The outcome cannot be determined at this time.
In September 2013, Zond Inc. filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against TSMC, certain TSMC subsidiaries and other companies alleging infringing of several U.S. patents. Subsequently, TSMC and Zond initiated additional legal actions in the U.S. District Courts for the District of Delaware andwas dismissed at the District of Massachusetts over several additional patents owned by Zond. In March 2015, all pending litigations between the parties in the U.S. District Courts for the District of Massachusetts and the District of Delaware were dismissed.
In March 2014, DSS Technology Management, Inc. (DSS) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging that TSMC, TSMC North America, TSMC Development, Inc., and several other companies infringe one U.S. patent. TSMC Development, Inc. has subsequently been dismissed. In May 2015, the Court entered a final judgment of noninfringement in favor of TSMC and TSMC North America. DSS appealed the final judgment to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit). In November 2015, the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) determined after concluding an Inter Partes Review (IPR) that the patent claims asserted by DSS in the District Court litigation are unpatentable. DSS appealed the PTAB’s decision to the Federal Circuit in January, 2016. In March 2016, the District Court’s judgment of noninfringement was affirmed by the Federal Circuit. On April 4, 2016, the parties filed dismissal papers with the District Court and the Federal Circuit to end the litigation and the IPR proceeding.same time.
Other than the matters described above, we were not involved ina party to any other material litigation in 2015as of December 31, 2019 and are not currently involved ina party to any other material litigation.
Dividends and Dividend Policy
The following table sets forth the dividends per share paid during each of the years indicated in respect of common shares outstanding on the record date eligible to the payment of those dividends. During 2013, 2014 and 2015, we paid cash dividends in the amounts of NT$77,773,307,004, NT$77,785,851,420 and NT$116,683,480,962 (US$3,558,508,111), respectively.
Cash Dividends Per Share | Stock dividends Per 100 shares | Total shares issued as stock dividends | Outstanding common shares at year end | |||||||||||||||||
NT$ | ||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 2.9995 | — | — | 25,928,617,140 | ||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2.9999 | — | — | 25,929,662,436 | ||||||||||||||||
2015 | 4.4999 | — | — | 25,930,380,458 |
Our dividend policy is set forth in our Articles of Incorporation. Except as otherwise specified in the Articles of Incorporation or under Taiwanthe R.O.C. law, we will not pay dividends or make other distributions to shareholders in respect of any year in which we havewhen there are no earnings or retained earnings. The R.O.C. Company LawAct also requires that 10% of annual net income (less prior years’ losses and outstanding taxes) be set aside as legal reserve until the accumulated legal reserve equals ourpaid-in capital.
Our profits may be distributed by way of cash dividend, stock dividend, or a combination of cash and stock.
On December 21, 2004, our shareholders approved amendments Pursuant to our Articles of Incorporations, pursuant to which distributions of profits shall be made preferably by way of cash dividend. In addition, pursuant to the amendments, the ratio for stock dividends shall not exceed 50% of the total distribution. Distribution of stock dividends is subject to approval by the R.O.C. FSC.
On February 19, 2019, our board of directors adopted a proposal recommending distribution of a 2018 cash dividend of NT$8 per common share, which was approved by the annual general meeting of shareholders on June 5, 2019. In the same meeting, shareholders also approved the amendments to our Articles of Incorporation to authorize our board of directors to approve quarterly cash dividends after the close of each quarter, after which the dividend will be distributed within six months. In the subsequent board meetings, our board of directors approved quarterly cash dividends, of which the respective amounts and payment dates are demonstrated in the table below.
Period | Approved Date | Payment Date | Cash Dividends Per Share (NT$) | Total Amount (NT$) | ||||||||
2018 | June 5, 2019 | July 18, 2019 | 8.00 | 207,443,043,664 | ||||||||
First quarter of 2019 | June 5, 2019 | October 17, 2019 | 2.00 | 51,860,760,916 | ||||||||
Second quarter of 2019 | August 13, 2019 | January 16, 2020 | 2.50 | 64,825,951,145 | ||||||||
Third quarter of 2019 | November 12, 2019 | April 16, 2020 | 2.50 | 64,825,951,145 | ||||||||
Fourth quarter of 2019 | February 11, 2020 | July 16, 2020 | 2.50 | 64,825,951,145 |
Holders of outstanding common shares on a dividend record date will be entitled to the full dividend declared without regard to any subsequent transfer of the common shares. Payment of dividends (including in cash and in common shares) in respect of the prior year is made following approval by our shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders. Distribution of stock dividends is subject to approval by the R.O.C. FSC.
Holders of ADRs evidencing ADSs are entitled to receive dividends, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as the holders of common shares. Cash dividends will be paid to the depositary and, after deduction of any applicable R.O.C. taxes and except as otherwise provided in the deposit agreement, will be paid to holders. Stock dividends will be distributed to the depositary and, except as otherwise provided in the deposit agreement, will be distributed to holders by the depositary in the form of additional ADSs.
For information relating to R.O.C. withholding taxes payable on cash and stock dividends, see “Item 10. Additional Information —– Taxation —– R.O.C. Taxation —– Dividends”.
ITEM 9. | THE OFFER AND LISTING |
The principal trading market for our common shares is the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Our common shares have been listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the symbol “2330” since September 5, 1994, and the ADSs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSM” since October 8, 1997. The outstanding ADSs are identified by the CUSIP number 874039100. The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices and the average daily volume of trading activity on the Taiwan Stock Exchange for the common shares and the high and low closing prices and the average daily volume of trading activity on the New York Stock Exchange for the common shares represented by ADSs.
Taiwan Stock Exchange | New York Stock Exchange(1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Closing price per common share(2) | Closing price per ADS(2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
High | Low | Average daily trading volume (in thousands of shares) | High | Low | Average daily trading volume (in thousands of ADSs) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(NT$) | (NT$) | (US$) | (US$) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 68.11 | 56.29 | 50,131 | 11.86 | 9.74 | 14,704 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | 91.47 | 66.69 | 39,620 | 15.93 | 11.60 | 10,581 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | 106.49 | 89.48 | 34,841 | 18.64 | 14.93 | 10,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 137.14 | 95.26 | 36,510 | 22.75 | 15.61 | 11,066 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter | 112.32 | 95.26 | 41,001 | 18.98 | 15.61 | 11,392 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter | 119.91 | 110.90 | 31,400 | 20.57 | 18.60 | 10,151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 129.39 | 115.82 | 37,411 | 21.97 | 19.18 | 11,126 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 137.14 | 116.79 | 36,626 | 22.75 | 18.85 | 11,595 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 149.74 | 115.00 | 40,085 | 24.63 | 18.76 | 12,245 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter | 149.74 | 125.99 | 50,312 | 24.27 | 20.15 | 14,164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter | 147.80 | 134.23 | 38,537 | 24.63 | 21.96 | 12,658 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter | 142.50 | 115.00 | 40,250 | 23.15 | 18.76 | 13,811 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter | 145.00 | 132.00 | 32,724 | 23.55 | 20.76 | 8,444 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
October | 140.00 | 132.00 | 35,097 | 22.51 | 20.76 | 11,209 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
November | 144.50 | 135.00 | 34,775 | 23.55 | 21.89 | 7,641 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December | 145.00 | 138.00 | 28,686 | 23.31 | 22.18 | 6,407 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January | 143.00 | 131.5 | 41,374 | 22.35 | 20.48 | 10,120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
February | 151.00 | 142.5 | 42,932 | 23.96 | 22.00 | 8,774 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
March | 162.00 | 152.00 | 33,054 | 26.46 | 24.56 | 6,802 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
April (through April 8, 2016) | 158.50 | 153.50 | 43,984 | 26.12 | 25.28 | 7,055 |
Source: Bloomberg
ITEM 10. | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Description of Common Shares
We are organized under the laws of the R.O.C. Set forth below is a description of our common shares, including summaries of the material provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
General
Our authorized share capital is NT$280,500,000,000, divided into 28,050,000,000 common shares, of which 500,000,000 common shares are reserved for the issuance for our employee stock options and among which 25,930,380,458 and 25,930,380,458 common shares were issued and outstanding both as of December 31, 20152019 and February 29, 2016, respectively.2020. No employee stock options arewere outstanding as of December 31, 2015.2019 and February 29, 2020.
The R.O.C. Company Law,Act, the R.O.C. Act for Establishment and Administration of Science Parks and the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law provide that any change in the issued share capital of a public company, such as us, requires the approval of its board of directors, (or, for capital reduction, a resolution of its shareholders meeting), the approval of, or the registration with, the R.O.C. FSC and the Ministry of Economic Affairs or the Science Park Administration (as applicable) and/or an amendment to its articles of incorporation (if such change also involves a change in the authorized share capital).
There are no provisions under either R.O.C. law or the deposit agreement under which holders of ADSs would be required to forfeit the common shares represented by ADSs.
Dividends and Distributions
An R.O.C. company is generally not permitted to distribute dividends or to make any other distributions to shareholders in respect of any year for which it did not have either earnings or retained earnings. In addition, before distributing a dividend to shareholders following the end of a fiscal year, the company must recover any past losses, pay all outstanding taxes and set aside in a legal reserve, until such time as its legal reserve equals itspaid-in capital, 10% of its net income for that fiscal year (less any past losses and outstanding tax), and may set aside a special reserve.
At the annual general meeting of our shareholders,Before The R.O.C. Company Act was amended in August 2018, the board of directors submits to the shareholders for their approval ofsubmitted our financial statements for the preceding fiscal year and any proposal for the distribution of a dividend or the making of any other distribution to shareholders from our earnings or retained earnings (subject to compliance with the requirements described above) at the end of the preceding fiscal year.year to the shareholders for their approval at the annual general meeting of our shareholders. All common shares outstanding and fully paid as of the relevant record date are entitled to share equally in any dividend or other distribution so approved. Dividends may be distributed in cash, in the form of common shares or a combination thereof, as determined by the shareholders at the meeting.
The R.O.C. Company Act, amended in August 2018, allows a company, as authorized by its Articles of Incorporation, to distribute dividends on a quarterly basis or a semi-annual basis and to have its board of directors to approve the dividends in cash. Our 2019 Annual Shareholders’ Meeting has approved the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation to authorize our board of directors to approve cash dividends after the close of each quarter.
In addition to permitting dividends to be paid out of earnings or retained earnings, the R.O.C. Company LawAct permits us to make distributions to our shareholders in cash or in the form of common shares from capital surplus and the legal reserve. However, dividend distribution out of our legal reserve can only be effected to the extent of the excessive amount of the accumulated legal reserve over 25% of ourpaid-in capital.
For information as to R.O.C. taxes on dividends and distributions, see “—“– Taxation —– R.O.C. Taxation”.
Preemptive Rights and Issues of Additional Common Shares
Under the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, when a public company, such as us, issues new shares of common stock for cash, 10% to 15% of the issue must be offered to its employees. The remaining new shares must be offered to existing shareholders in a preemptive rights offering, subject to a requirement under the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law that at least 10% of these issuances must be offered to the public. This percentage can be increased by a resolution passed at a shareholders’ meeting, thereby limiting or waiving the preemptive rights of existing shareholders. The preemptive rights provisions do not apply to limited circumstances, such as:
issuance of new shares upon conversion of convertible bonds; and
offerings of new shares through a private placement approved at a shareholders’ meeting.
Authorized but unissued shares of any class may be issued at such times and, subject to the above-mentioned provisions of the R.O.C. Company LawAct and the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, upon such terms as the board of directors may determine. The shares with respect to which preemptive rights have been waived may be freely offered, subject to compliance with applicable R.O.C. law.
Meetings of Shareholders
Meetings of our shareholders may be general meetings or special meetings. General meetings of shareholders are generally held in Hsinchu, Taiwan, within six months after the end of each fiscal year. Special meetings of shareholders may be convened by resolution of the board of directors whenever it deems necessary, or under certain circumstances, by shareholders or the audit committee. For a public company such as us, notice in writing of shareholders’ meetings, stating the place, time and purpose thereof, must be sent to each shareholder at least thirty days (in the case of general meetings) and fifteen days (in the case of special meetings) prior to the date set for each meeting.
Voting Rights
A holder of common shares has one vote for each common share. Except as otherwise provided by law, a resolution may be adopted by the holders of a simple majority of the total issued and outstanding common shares represented at a shareholders’ meeting at which a majority of the holders of the total issued and outstanding common shares are present. The election of directors at a shareholders’ meeting is by cumulative voting. As authorized under the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, we have adopted a nomination procedure for election of our directors in our Articles of Incorporation. According to our Articles of Incorporation, ballots for the election of directors and independent directors are cast separately.
The R.O.C. Company LawAct also provides that in order to approve certain major corporate actions, including but not limited to, (i) any amendment to the articles of incorporation (which is required for, among other actions, any increase in authorized share capital), (ii) execution, modification or termination of any contracts regarding leasing of all business or joint operations or mandate of the company’s business to other persons, (iii) the dissolution, amalgamation orspin-off of a company or the transfer of the whole or an important part of its business or its properties or the taking over of the whole of the business or properties of any other company which would have a significant impact on the acquiring company’s operations or (iv) the removal of directors or supervisors or (v) the distribution of any stock dividend, a meeting of the shareholders must be convened with a quorum of holders of at leasttwo-thirds of all issued and outstanding shares of common stock at which the holders of at least a majority of the common stock represented at the meeting vote in favor thereof. However, in the case of a publicly held company such as us, such a resolution may be adopted by the holders of at leasttwo-thirds of the shares of common stock represented at a shareholders’ meeting of shareholders at which holders of at least a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock are present.
A shareholder may be represented at a shareholders’ meeting by proxy. A valid proxy must be delivered to us at least five days prior to the commencement of the shareholders’ meeting.
Holders of ADSs will not have the right to exercise voting rights with respect to the common shares represented thereby, except as described in “— Voting of Deposited Securities”.
Other Rights of Shareholders
Under the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, dissenting shareholders are entitled to appraisal rights in the event of amalgamation,spin-off or certain other major corporate actions. A dissenting shareholder may request us to redeem all of the shares owned by that shareholder at a fair price to be determined by mutual agreement or a court order if agreement cannot be reached. A shareholder may exercise these appraisal rights by serving a written notice on us prior to the related shareholders’ meeting and by raising an objection at the shareholders’ meeting. In addition to appraisal rights, any shareholder has the right to sue for the annulment of any resolution adopted at a shareholders’ meeting where the procedures were legally defective within thirty days after the date of such shareholders’ meeting. One or more shareholders who have held one percent or more than three percent of theour issued and outstanding shares for over a yearsix months or longer may require the audit committee to bring a derivative action against a director for that director’s liability to us as a result of that director’s unlawful actions or failure to act. In addition, one or more shareholders who have held more than three percent or more of our issued and outstanding shares for over a year may require the board of directors to convene a special shareholders’ meeting by sending a written request to the board of directors.directors, while one or more shareholders who have held over 50% of our issued and outstanding shares for three months may convene a special shareholders’ meeting by themselves.
The R.O.C. Company LawAct allows shareholder(s) holding 1% or more of the total issued shares of a company to, during the period of time prescribed by the company, submit one proposal in writing containingor through any electronic means designated by us, which contains no more than three hundred words (Chinese characters) for discussion at the general meeting of shareholders. In addition, if a company adopts a nomination procedure for election of directors or supervisors in its articles of incorporation, shareholders representing 1% or more of the total issued shares of such company may submit a candidate list in writing to the company along with relevant information and supporting documents.
Register of Shareholders and Record Dates
Our share registrar, Chinatrust CommercialCTBC Bank Co., Ltd., maintains the register of our shareholders at its office in Taipei, Taiwan. Under the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, the transfer of common shares in registered form is effected by endorsement of the transferor’s and transferee’s seals on the share certificates and delivery of the related share certificates. In order to assert shareholders’ rights against us, however, the transferee must have his name and address registered on the register of shareholders. Shareholders are required to file their respective specimen signatures or seals with us. The settlement of trading in the common shares is carried out on the book-entry system maintained by the Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation and therefore, the share transfer will follow the procedures of the Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation.
The R.O.C. Company LawAct permits us to set a record date and close the register of shareholders for a specified period in order for us to determine the shareholders or pledgees that are entitled to certain rights pertaining to common shares by giving advance public notice. Under the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, our register of shareholders should be closed for a period of sixty days, thirty days and five days immediately before each general meeting of shareholders, special meeting of shareholders and record date of dividend distribution, respectively.
Annual Financial Statements
Under the R.O.C. Company Law,Act, ten days before the general meeting of shareholders, our annual financial statements must be available at our principal office in Hsinchu for inspection by the shareholders.
Acquisition of Common Shares by Us
With minor exceptions, neither we nor our subsidiaries may not acquire our common shares under the R.O.C. Company Law.Act. However, under the R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, we may, by a board resolution adopted by majority consent at a meeting withtwo-thirds of our directors present, purchase our common shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or by a tender offer, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the R.O.C. FSC, for the following purposes: (i) to transfer shares to our employees; (ii) to satisfy our obligations to provide our common shares upon exercise or conversion of any warrants, convertible bonds or convertible preferred shares; and (iii) if necessary, to maintain our credit and our shareholders’ equity (such as for the purpose of supporting the trading price of our common shares during market dislocations), provided that the common shares so purchased shall be cancelled thereafter.
We are not allowed to purchase more than ten percent of our total issued and outstanding common shares. In addition, we may not spend more than the aggregate amount of our retained earnings, premium from issuing stock and the realized portion of the capital reserve to purchase our common shares.
We may not pledge or hypothecate any purchased common shares. In addition, we may not exercise any shareholders’ rights attached to such common shares. In the event that we purchase our common shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, our affiliates, directors, managers and shareholders, together with their respective spouses, minor children and nominees holding more than 10% of our total shares (as well as such respective spouses, minor children and nominees) are prohibited from selling any of our common shares during the period in which we purchase our common shares.
In addition, effective from November 14, 2001 under the revised R.O.C. Company Law, our subsidiaries may not acquire our shares. This restriction does not, however, affect any of our shares acquired by our subsidiaries prior to November 14, 2001.
Liquidation Rights
In the event of our liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses, taxes and distributions to holders of preferred shares, if any, will be distributed pro rata to our shareholders in accordance with the R.O.C. Company Law.Act.
Transaction Restrictions
The R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law (i) requires each director, supervisor, manager or shareholder, together with its/his/her spouse, minor children or nominees, holding more than ten percent of the shares of a public company to report the amount of that person’s shareholding (as well as the shareholding of its/his/her spouse, minor children or nominees), on a monthly basis, to that company and (ii) limits the number of shares that can be sold or transferred on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange)Taipei Exchange by that person, as well as its/his/her respective spouse, minor children or nominees, per day. The above sale and transfer of shares can be made only after that person (as well as its/his/her respective spouse, minor children or nominees) has held the shares for more than six months and that person should report to the R.O.C. FSC at least three days before the intended sale or transfer; unless the number of shares to be sold or transferred does not exceed 10,000.
Material Contracts
TSMC joined the Customer Co-Investment Program of ASML Holding N.V. (“ASML”) andis not currently a party to any material contract, other than contracts entered into an investment agreement in August 2012. The agreement includes an investmentthe ordinary course of EUR838 million by TSMC Global Ltd. to acquire 5% of ASML’s equity with a lock-up period of 2.5 years. TSMC Global Ltd. acquired the aforementioned equity on October 31, 2012. The lock-up period expired on May 1, 2015 and as of October 8, 2015, all ASML shares have been disposed. Both parties also signed a research and development funding agreement whereby TSMC shall provide EUR276 million to ASML’s research and development programs from 2013 to 2017.our business.
Foreign Investment in the R.O.C.
Since 1983, the R.O.C. government has periodically enacted legislation and adopted regulations to permit foreign investment in the R.O.C. securities market.
On September 30, 2003, the R.O.C. Executive Yuan approved an amendment to Regulations Governing Investment in Securities by Overseas Chinese and Foreign National, or the Regulations, which took effect on October 2, 2003. According to the Regulations, the R.O.C. FSC abolished the mechanism of theso-called “qualified foreign institutional investors” and “general foreign investors” as stipulated in the Regulations before the amendment.
Under the Regulations, foreign investors are classified as either “onshore foreign investors” or “offshore foreign investors” according to their respective geographical location. Both onshore and offshore foreign investors are allowed to invest in R.O.C. securities after they register with the Taiwan Stock Exchange. The Regulations further classify foreign investors into foreign institutional investors and foreign individual investors. “Foreign institutional investors” refer to those investors incorporated and registered in accordance with foreign laws outside of the R.O.C. (i.e., offshore foreign institutional investors) or their branches set up and recognized within the R.O.C. (i.e., onshore foreign institutional investors). Offshore overseas Chinese and foreign individual investors may be subject to a maximum investment ceiling that will be separately determined by the R.O.C. FSC after consultation with the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Currently, there is no maximum investment ceiling for offshore overseas Chinese and foreign individual investors. On the other hand, foreign institutional investors are not subject to any ceiling for investment in the R.O.C. securities market.
Except for certain specified industries, such as telecommunications, investments in R.O.C.-listed companies by foreign investors are not subject to individual or aggregate foreign ownership limits. Custodians for foreign investors are required to submit to the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Taiwan Stock Exchange a monthly report of trading activities and status of assets under custody and other matters. Capital remitted to the R.O.C. under these guidelines may be remitted out of the R.O.C. at any time after the date the capital is remitted to the R.O.C. Capital gains and income on investments may be remitted out of the R.O.C. at any time.
Foreign investors (other than foreign investors who have registered with the Taiwan Stock Exchange for making investments in the R.O.C. securities market) who wish to make direct investments in the shares of R.O.C. companies are required to submit a foreign investment approval application to the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs or other applicable government authority. The Investment Commission or such other government authority reviews each foreign investment approval application and approves or disapproves each application after consultation with other governmental agencies (such as the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the R.O.C. FSC).
Under current R.O.C. law, anynon-R.O.C. person possessing a foreign investment approval may repatriate annual net profits, interest and cash dividends attributable to the approved investment. Stock dividends attributable to this investment, investment capital and capital gains attributable to this investment may be repatriated by thenon-R.O.C. person possessing a foreign investment approval after approvals of the Investment Commission or other government authorities have been obtained.
In addition to the general restriction against direct investment bynon-R.O.C. persons in securities of R.O.C. companies,non-R.O.C. persons (except in certain limited cases) are currently prohibited from investing in certain industries in the R.O.C. pursuant to a “negative list”, as amended by the R.O.C. Executive Yuan. The prohibition on foreign investment in the prohibited industries specified in the negative list is absolute in the absence of a specific exemption from the application of the negative list. Pursuant to the negative list, certain other industries are restricted so thatnon-R.O.C. persons (except in limited cases) may invest in these industries only up to a specified level and with the specific approval of the relevant competent authority that is responsible for enforcing the relevant legislation that the negative list is intended to implement.
The R.O.C. FSC announced on April 30, 2009 the Regulations Governing Mainland Chinese Investors’ Securities Investments (“P.R.C. Regulations”) and amended the same on October 6, 2010. According to the P.R.C. Regulations, a P.R.C. qualified domestic institutional investor (“QDII”) is allowed to invest in R.O.C. securities (including less than 10% shareholding of an R.O.C. company listed on Taiwan Stock Exchange or R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange).the Taipei Exchange. Nevertheless, the total investment amount of QDIIs cannot exceed US$500 million. For each QDII, the custodians of such QDIIs must apply with the Taiwan Stock Exchange for the remittance amount for each QDII, which cannot exceed US$100 million, and QDII can only invest in the R.O.C. securities market with the amount approved by the Taiwan Stock Exchange. In addition, QDIIs are currently prohibited from investing in certain industries, and their investment of certain other industries in a given company is restricted to a certain percentage pursuant to a list promulgated by the FSC and amended from time to time. P.R.C. investors other than QDII, however, are prohibited from making investments in an R.O.C. company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange),Taipei Exchange, unless with approval from the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs for its investment of 10% or more (or other percentage applicable to certain restricted industries) of the equity interest of such R.O.C. company.
In addition to investments permitted under the P.R.C. Regulations, P.R.C. investors who wish to make (i) direct investment in the shares of R.O.C. private companies or (ii) investments, individually or aggregately, in 10% or more (or other percentage applicable to certain restricted industries) of the equity interest of an R.O.C. company listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange)the Taipei Exchange are required to submit an investment approval application to the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs or other government authority. The Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs or such other government authority reviews Investment Approval application and approves or disapproves each application after consultation with other governmental agencies. Furthermore, P.R.C. investor who wishes to be elected as an R.O.C. company’s director or supervisor shall also submit an investment approval application to the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs or other government authority for approval.
Depositary Receipts
In April 1992, the R.O.C. FSC enacted regulations permitting R.O.C. companies with securities listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange, with the prior approval of the R.O.C. FSC, to sponsor the issuance and sale to foreign investors of depositary receipts. Depositary receipts represent deposited shares of R.O.C. companies. In December 1994, the R.O.C. FSC allowed companies whose shares are traded on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange) or listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or traded on the Taipei Exchange, upon approval of the R.O.C. FSC, to sponsor the issuance and sale of depositary receipts.
Our deposit agreement has been amended and restated on November 16, 2007 to: (i) make our ADSs eligible for the direct registration system, as required by the New York Stock Exchange, by providing that ADSs may be certificated or uncertificated securities, (ii) enable the distribution of our reports by electronic means and (iii) reflect changes in R.O.C. laws in connection with the nomination of candidates for independent directors, for voting at the meeting of the shareholders. A copy of our amended and restated deposit agreement has been filed under the cover of FormF-6 on November 16, 2007.
A holder of depositary receipts (other than citizens of the P.R.C. and entities organized under the laws of the P.R.C. save for QDII or those which otherwise obtain the approval of the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs) may request the depositary to either cause the underlying shares to be sold in the R.O.C. and to distribute the sale proceeds to the holder or to withdraw from the depositary receipt facility the shares represented by the depositary receipts to the extent permitted under the deposit agreement (for depositary receipts representing existing shares, immediately after the issuance of the depositary receipts; and for depositary receipts representing new shares, in practice four to seven business days after the issuance of the depositary receipts) and transfer the shares to the holder.
We, or the foreign depositary bank, may not increase the number of depositary receipts by depositing shares in a depositary receipt facility or issuing additional depositary receipts against these deposits without specific R.O.C. FSC approval, except in limited circumstances. These circumstances include issuances of additional depositary receipts in connection with:
dividends or free distributions of shares;
the exercise by holders of existing depositary receipts of theirpre-emptive rights in connection with capital increases for cash; or
if permitted under the deposit agreement and custody agreement, the deposit of common shares purchased by any person directly or through a depositary bank on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange)Taipei Exchange (as applicable) or held by such person for deposit in the depositary receipt facility.
However, the total number of deposited shares outstanding after an issuance under the circumstances described in the third clause above may not exceed the number of deposited shares previously approved by the R.O.C. FSC plus any depositary receipts created under the circumstances described in the first two clauses above. Issuances of additional depositary receipts under the circumstances described in the third clause above will be permitted to the extent that previously issued depositary receipts have been canceled and the underlying shares have been withdrawn from the depositary receipt facility.
Under current R.O.C. law, anon-R.O.C. holder of ADSs who withdraws and holds the underlying shares must register with the Taiwan Stock Exchange and appoint an eligible local agent to:
open a securities trading account with a local securities brokerage firm;
pay taxes;
remit funds; and
exercise rights on securities and perform other matters as may be designated by the holder.
Under existing R.O.C. laws and regulations, without this account, holders of ADSs that withdraw and hold the common shares represented by the ADSs would not be able to hold or subsequently transfer the common shares, whether on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or otherwise. In addition, a withdrawingnon-R.O.C. holder must appoint a local custodian for handling confirmation and settlement of trades, safekeeping of securities and cash proceeds and reporting of information.
Holders of ADSs who arenon-R.O.C. persons withdrawing common shares represented by ADSs are required under current R.O.C. law and regulations to appoint an agent in the R.O.C. for filing tax returns and making tax payments. This agent, a “tax guarantor”, must meet certain qualifications set by the R.O.C. Ministry of Finance and, upon appointment, becomes a guarantor of the withdrawing holder’s R.O.C. tax payment obligations. In addition, under current R.O.C. law, repatriation of profits by anon-R.O.C. withdrawing holder is subject to the submission of evidence of the appointment of a tax guarantor to, and approval thereof by, the tax authority, or submission of tax clearance certificates or submission of evidencing documents issued by such agent (so long as the capital gains from securities transactions are exempt from R.O.C. income tax).
Under existing R.O.C. laws and regulations relating to foreign exchange control, a depositary may, without obtaining further approvals from the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) or any other governmental authority or agency of the R.O.C., convert NT dollars into other currencies, including U.S. dollars, in respect of the following: proceeds of the sale of shares represented by depositary receipts, proceeds of the sale of shares received as stock dividends and deposited into the depositary receipt facility and any cash dividends or cash distributions received. In addition, a depositary, also without any of these approvals, may convert inward remittances of payments into NT dollars for purchases of underlying shares for deposit into the depositary receipt facility against the creation of additional depositary receipts. A depositary may be required to obtain foreign exchange approval from the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on apayment-by-payment basis for conversion from NT dollars into other currencies relating to the sale of subscription rights for new shares. Proceeds from the sale of any underlying shares by holders of depositary receipts withdrawn from the depositary receipt facility may be converted into other currencies without obtaining Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) approval. Proceeds from the sale of the underlying shares withdrawn from the depositary receipt facility may be used for reinvestment in the Taiwan Stock Exchange or the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange),Taipei Exchange, subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Direct Share Offerings
Since 1997, the R.O.C. government has amended regulations to permit R.O.C. companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange)the Taipei Exchange to issue shares directly (not through depositary receipt facility) overseas.
Overseas Corporate Bonds
Since 1989, the R.O.C. FSC has approved a series of overseas bonds issued by R.O.C. companies listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange)Taipei Exchange in offerings outside the R.O.C. Under current R.O.C. law, these overseas corporate bonds can be:
converted by bondholders, other than citizens of the P.R.C. and entities organized under the laws of the P.R.C. save for QDII or those that have obtained the approval of the Investment Commission of the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs, into shares of R.O.C. companies; or
subject to R.O.C. FSC approval, converted into depositary receipts issued by the same R.O.C. company or by the issuing company of the exchange shares, in the case of exchangeable bonds.
The relevant regulations also permit public companies to issue corporate debt in offerings outside the R.O.C. Proceeds from the sale of the shares converted from overseas convertible bonds may be used for reinvestment in securities listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or traded on the R.O.C. Over-the-Counter (Taipei Exchange),Taipei Exchange, subject to compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Exchange Controls in the R.O.C.
The R.O.C. Foreign Exchange Control Statute and regulations provide that all foreign exchange transactions must be executed by banks designated to handle such business by the R.O.C. FSC and by the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Current regulations favor trade-related foreign exchange transactions. Consequently, foreign currency earned from exports of merchandise and services may now be retained and used freely by exporters, and all foreign currency needed for the importation of merchandise and services may be purchased freely from the designated foreign exchange banks.
Trade aside, R.O.C. companies and resident individuals may, without foreign exchange approval, remit to and from the R.O.C. foreign currency of up to US$50 million (or its equivalent) and US$5 million (or its equivalent), respectively, in each calendar year. Furthermore, any remittance of foreign currency into the R.O.C. by a R.O.C. company or resident individual in a year will be offset by the amount remitted out of R.O.C. by such company or individual (as applicable) within its annual quota and will not use up its annual inward remittance quota to the extent of such offset. The above limits apply to remittances involving a conversion of NT dollars to a foreign currency and vice versa. A requirement is also imposed on all enterprises to register medium- and long-term foreign debt with the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
In addition, foreign persons may, subject to certain requirements, but without foreign exchange approval of the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan), remit outside and into the R.O.C. foreign currencies of up to US$100,000 (or its equivalent) for each remittance. The above limit applies to remittances involving a conversion of NT dollars to a foreign currency and vice versa. The above limit does not, however, apply to the conversion of NT dollars into other currencies, including U.S. dollars, in respect of the proceeds of sale of any underlying shares withdrawn from a depositary receipt facility.
Voting of Deposited Securities
Holders may direct the exercise of voting rights with respect to the common shares represented by the ADSs only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement as described below and applicable R.O.C. law. See “Item 3. Key Information —– Risk Factors —– Risks Relating to Ownership of ADSs —– Your voting rights as a holder of ADSs will be limited”.
Except as described below, the holders will not be able to exercise the voting rights attaching to the common shares represented by the ADSs on an individual basis. According to provisions of the deposit agreement, the voting rights attaching to the common shares represented by ADSs must be exercised as to all matters subject to a vote of shareholders by the depositary bank or its nominee, who represents all holders of ADSs, collectively in the same manner, except in the case of an election of directors. Directors are elected by cumulative voting unless our Articles of Incorporation stipulate otherwise.
In the deposit agreement, the holders will appoint the depositary bank as their representative to exercise the voting rights with respect to the common shares represented by the ADSs.
We will provide the depositary bank with copies (including English translations) of notices of meetings of our shareholders and the agenda of these meetings, including a list of the director candidates, if an election of directors is to be held at the meeting. The depositary bank will mail these materials, together with a voting instruction form to holders as soon as practicable after the depositary bank receives the materials from us. In order to validly exercise its voting rights, the holder of ADSs must complete, sign and return to the depositary bank the voting instruction form by a date specified by the depositary bank.
Subject to the provisions described in the second succeeding paragraph, which will apply to the election of directors done by means of cumulative voting, if persons together holding at least 51% of the ADSs outstanding at the relevant record date instruct the depositary bank to vote in the same manner in respect of one or more resolutions to be proposed at the meeting (other than the election of directors), the depositary bank will notify the instructions to the chairman of our board of directors or a person he may designate. The depositary bank will appoint the chairman or his designated person to serve as the voting representative of the depositary bank or its nominee and the holders. The voting representative will attend such meeting and vote all the common shares represented by ADSs to be voted in the manner so instructed by such holders in relation to such resolution or resolutions.
If, for any reason, the depositary bank has not by the date specified by it received instructions from persons together holding at least 51% of all the ADSs outstanding at the relevant record date to vote in the same manner in respect of any resolution specified in the agenda for the meeting (other than the election of directors), then the holders will be deemed to have instructed the depositary bank or its nominee to authorize and appoint the voting representative as the representative of the depositary bank and the holders to attend such meeting and vote all the common shares represented by all ADSs as the voting representative deems appropriate with respect to such resolution or resolutions, which may not be in your interests; provided, however, that the depositary bank or its nominee will not give any such authorization and appointment unless it has received an opinion of R.O.C. counsel addressed to the depositary bank and in form and substance satisfactory to the depositary bank, at its sole expense, to the effect that, under R.O.C. law (i) the deposit agreement is valid, binding and enforceable against us and the holders and (ii) the depositary bank will not be deemed to be authorized to exercise any discretion when voting in accordance with the deposit agreement and will not be subject to any potential liability for losses arising from such voting. We and the depositary bank will take such actions, including amendment of the provisions of the deposit agreement relating to voting of common shares, as we deem appropriate to endeavor to provide for the exercise of voting rights attached to the common shares represented by all ADSs at shareholders’ meetings in a manner consistent with applicable R.O.C. law.
The depositary bank will notify the voting representative of the instructions for the election of directors received from holders and appoint the voting representative as the representative of the depositary bank and the holders to attend such meeting and vote the common shares represented by ADSs as to which the depositary bank has received instructions from holders for the election of directors, subject to any restrictions imposed by R.O.C. law and our Articles of Incorporation. Holders who by the date specified by the depositary bank have not delivered instructions to the depositary bank will be deemed to have instructed the depositary bank to authorize and appoint the voting representative as the representative of the depositary bank or its nominee and the holders to attend such meeting and vote all the common shares represented by ADSs as to which the depositary bank has not received instructions from the holders for the election of directors as the voting representative deems appropriate, which may not be in your best interests. Candidates standing for election as representatives of a shareholder may be replaced by such shareholder prior to the meeting of the shareholders, and the votes cast by the holders for such candidates shall be counted as votes for their replacements.
By accepting and continuing to hold ADSs or any interest therein, the holders will be deemed to have agreed to the voting provisions set forth in the deposit agreement, as such provisions may be amended from time to time to comply with applicable R.O.C. law.
There can be no assurance that the holders will receive notice of shareholders’ meetings sufficiently prior to the date established by the depositary bank for receipt of instructions to enable you to give voting instructions before the cutoff date.
Moreover, in accordance with the deposit agreement, as further amended and restated as of November 16, 2007 and pursuant to R.O.C. Company Law,Act, holders that individually or together with other holders hold at least 51% of the ADSs outstanding at the relevant record date are entitled to submit each year one written proposal for voting at the general meeting of shareholders; provided, that (i) such proposal is in Chinese language and does not exceed 300 Chinese characters, (ii) such proposal is submitted to the depositary bank at least two business days prior to the expiry of the relevant submission period, which shall be publicly announced by us each year in a report on Form6-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission prior to the commencement of the 60 days closed period for general meetings of shareholders, (iii) such proposal is accompanied by a written certificate to the depositary bank, in the form required by the depository bank, certifying that such proposal is being submitted by holders that individually or together with other holders hold at least 51% of the ADSs outstanding at the date of the submission and, if the date of the submission is on or after the relevant record date, also certifying that the holders who submitted the proposal held at least 51% of the ADSs outstanding as of the relevant record date, (iv) if the date of the submission is prior to the relevant record date, the holders who submitted the proposal must also provide, within five business days after the relevant record date, a second written certificate to the depositary bank, in the form required by the depositary bank, certifying that the holders who submitted the proposal continued to hold at least 51% of the ADSs outstanding at the relevant record date, (v) such proposal is accompanied by a joint and several irrevocable undertaking of all submitting holders to pay all fees and expenses incurred in relation to the submission (including the costs and expenses of the depositary bank or its agent to attend the general meeting of the shareholders) as such fees and expenses may be reasonably determined and documented by the depositary bank or us, and (vi) such proposal shall only be voted upon at the general meeting of shareholders if such proposal is accepted by our board of directors as eligible in accordance with applicable law for consideration at a shareholders meeting.
Taxation
R.O.C. Taxation
The following is a general summary of the principal R.O.C. tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of ADSs representingor common shares by and to anon-resident individual or entity. It applies only to a holder that is:
an individual who is not an R.O.C. citizen, who owns ADSs and who is not physically present in the R.O.C. for 183 days or more during any calendar year; or
a corporation or anon-corporate body that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the R.O.C. and has no fixed place of business or business agent in the R.O.C.
Holders of ADSs are urged toshould consult their own tax advisors as to the particular R.O.C. tax consequences of owning the ADSs which may affect them.
Dividends. DividendsEffective from 2018, dividends declared by us out of our retained earnings and distributed to the holders are subject to R.O.C. withholding tax currently at the rate of 20%,21% on the amount of the distribution in the case of cash dividends or on the par value of the common shares in the case of stock dividends unless a lower withholding rate is provided under a tax treaty between the R.O.C and the jurisdiction where the holders are residents. However, a 10% R.O.C.Starting year 2019, no retained earnings tax paid by us on our undistributed after-tax earnings, if any, would providecan offset as a credit of up to 5% ofagainst the gross amount of any dividends declared out of those earnings that would reduce the21% withholding tax imposed on those distributions.tax.
Distribution of common shares or cash out of our capital reserves is not subject to R.O.C. withholding tax, except under limited circumstances.
Capital Gains. Starting from January 1, 2016, capital gains realized from the sale or disposal of the common shares are exempt from R.O.C. income tax under Article4-1 of the R.O.C. Income Tax Act.
Sales of ADSs are not regarded as sales of R.O.C. securities and thus any gains derived from transfers of ADSs are not regarded asR.O.C-sourced income. Accordingly, any gains derived from transfers of ADSs by holders are not currently subject to R.O.C. income tax.
Subscription Rights. Distributions of statutory subscription rights for common shares in compliance with R.O.C. law are not subject to any R.O.C. tax. Proceeds derived from sales of statutory subscription rights evidenced by securities are subject to securities transaction tax at the rate of 0.3% of the gross amount received. Holders are exempt from income tax on capital gains from the sale of statutory subscription rights evidenced by securities. Proceeds derived from sales of statutory subscription rights that are not evidenced bysubject to securities transaction tax but the capital gains are subject to capital gainsR.O.C income tax at thea fixed rate of 20%.
Subject to compliance with R.O.C. law, we, at our sole discretion, can determine whether statutory subscription rights shall be evidenced by issuance of securities.
Securities Transaction Tax. A securities transaction tax, at the rate of 0.3% of the sales proceeds, will be withheld upon a sale of common shares in the R.O.C. Transfers of ADSs are not subject to R.O.C. securities transaction tax. Withdrawal of common shares from the deposit facility is not subject to R.O.C. securities transaction tax.
Estate and Gift Tax. R.O.C. estate tax is payable on any property within the R.O.C. left by a deceased, and R.O.C. gift tax is payable on any property within the R.O.C. donated by an individual. Estate tax and gift tax are currently payable at the rateprogressive rates of 10%, 15% and 20%. Under R.O.C. estate and gift tax laws, common shares issued by R.O.C. companies are deemed located in the R.O.C. regardless of the location of the holder. It is unclear whether a holder of ADSs will be considered to hold common shares for this purpose.
Tax Treaty. The R.O.C. does not have a double taxation treaty with the United States. On the other hand, the R.O.C. has double taxation treaties with Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Israel, Gambia, Thethe Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Senegal, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, Paraguay, Hungary, France, Swaziland,Eswatini, India, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, Luxembourg, Kiribati, Austria, Italy, Japan, Canada and AustriaPoland which may limit the rate of R.O.C. withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to common shares in R.O.C. companies. The ADS holders may or may not be considered to hold common shares for the purposes of these treaties. The holders should consult their tax advisors concerning their eligibility for the benefits with respect to the ADSs.
United States Federal Income Taxation
This section discusses the material United States federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders (as defined below) of owning and disposing of our common shares or ADSs. It applies to you only if you hold your common shares or ADSs as capital assets for United States federal income tax purposes. This discussion addresses only United States federal income taxation and does not discuss all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your individual circumstances, including foreign, state or local tax consequences, estate and gift tax consequences, and tax consequences arising under the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax. This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including:
dealers or traders in securities or foreign currencies;
banks and certain other financial institutions;
brokers;
traders in securities that elect to use amark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings;
tax-exempt organizations, retirement plans, individual retirement accounts and othertax-deferred accounts;
life insurance companies;
persons who are former citizens or former long-term residents of the United States, or
persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed Treasury regulations, and published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this section is based in part upon the representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. In general, for United States federal income tax purposes, if you hold ADRs evidencing ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the shares represented by those ADSs. Exchanges of shares for ADRs, and ADRs for shares, generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax.
Further, this section is based on the depositary’s representation that it will not, by reason of existing Taiwanese legal and regulatory limitations applicable to depositary receipt programs, engage in the issuance of ADRs prior to the receipt of shares or the release of shares prior to the cancellation of ADRs (“pre-release transactions”). The depositary has not represented that it will not engage in pre-release transactions if such Taiwanese legal and regulatory limitations change. If the depositary engages in such pre-release transactions, there may be material adverse United States federal income tax consequences to holders of ADRs.
You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of common shares or ADSs and you are:are, for United States federal income tax purposes:
a citizen or resident of the United States;
a United States domestic corporation, or other entity subject to United States federal income tax as a domestic corporation;
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an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or
a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.
If a partnership (including any entity treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the common shares or ADSs, the United States tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of the common shares or ADSs that is a partnership and partners in such a partnership should consult their own tax advisors concerning the United States federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of common shares or ADSs.
We urge you to
The tax treatment of your common shares or ADSs will depend in part on whether or not we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for United States federal income tax purposes. Except as discussed below under “—PFIC Rules”, this discussion assumes that we are not classified as a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state, local income tax and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of common shares or ADSs in your particular circumstances.
Taxation of DividendsDistributions
Subject toUnder the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules discussed below,United States federal income tax laws, if you are a U.S. holder, the gross amount of any dividenddistribution we pay in respect of your common shares or ADSs out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes), other than certainpro-rata distributions of our common shares, including the amount of any R.O.C. tax withheld, reduced by any credit against such withholding tax on account of the 10% retained earnings tax imposed on us,will be treated as a dividend that is subject to United States federal income taxation. Because we do not intendexpect to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, a U.S. Holderholder should expect that any distribution made by us to such holder will generally be treated as a dividend. If you are a noncorporate U.S. holder, under existing law any dividends paid to you that constitute qualified dividend income will be taxable to you at a maximum tax rate of 20% (plus, ifthe preferential rates applicable the Medicare Tax discussed below)to long-term capital gains, provided that you hold theour common shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the121-day period beginning 60 days before theex-dividend date and meet other holding period requirements. Dividends we pay with respect to the common shares or ADSs will be qualified dividend income provided that, in the year that you receive the dividend, the common shares or ADSs are readily tradable on anthe New York Stock Exchange or another established securities market in the United States. Our ADSs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and we therefore expect that dividends we pay with respect to the ADSs will be qualified dividend income. It is unclear whether dividends we pay with respect to the common shares will be qualified dividend income. The dividend is taxable to you when you, in the case of common shares, or the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, receive the dividend actually or constructively. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from other United States corporations. The amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the NT Dollar payments made, determined at the spot NT Dollar/U.S. dollar rate on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date you include the dividend payment in income to the date you convert the payment into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income. The gain or loss generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of your basis in the common shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain.
Subject to generally applicable limitations and restrictions, the R.O.C. taxes withheld from dividend distributions and paid over to the R.O.C. (reduced by any credit against such withholding tax on account of the 10% retained earnings tax) will be eligible for credit against your U.S. federal income tax liabilities. Special rules apply in determining the foreign tax credit limitation with respect to dividends that are subject to the maximum 20%preferential tax rate.rates. Dividends will generally be income from sources outside the United States. Dividends will depending on your circumstances,generally be “passive” or “general” income which, in either case, is treated separately from other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you. The rules applicable to the United States foreign tax credit are complex, and we urge you toshould consult your own tax adviser concerning the availability of the credit in your particular circumstances.
Pro rata distributions of common shares by us to holders of common shares or ADSs will generallymay not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Accordingly, such distributions will generallymay not give rise to U.S. federaltaxable foreign-source income tax against which the R.O.C. tax imposed on such distributions may be credited.
In the event that the ex-dividend date on The New York Stock Exchange or other securities exchange or market for a dividend or distribution that gives rise to R.O.C. withholding tax is after the record date for such dividend or distribution (during which period such ADSs may trade with “due bills”), a purchaser of ADSs during the period from the record date to the ex-dividend date likely would not be entitled to a foreign tax credit for R.O.C. taxes paid in respect of such ADSs even if (i) the purchaser receives the equivalent of such dividend or distribution on the relevant distribution date, and (ii) an amount equivalent to the applicable R.O.C. withholding tax is withheld therefrom or otherwise charged to the account of such purchaser.
Taxation of Capital Gains
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, ifIf you are a U.S. holder and you sell or otherwise dispose of your common shares or ADSs, you will recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount that you realize and your tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in your common shares or ADSs. Capital gain of a noncorporate U.S. holder is generally taxed under existing law at a maximum rate of 20%preferential rates where the property is held more than one year. The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
Medicare Tax
A United States person that is an individual or estate, or a trust that does not fall into a special class of trusts that is exempt from such tax, Your ability to deduct capital losses is subject to a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (1) the United States person’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (2) the excess of the United States person’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals is between $125,000 and $250,000, depending on the individual’s circumstances). A holder’s net investment income will generally include its gross dividend income and its net gains from the disposition of common shares or ADSs, unless such dividends or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). If you are a United States person that is an individual, estate or trust, you are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to your income and gains in respect of your investment in the common shares or ADSs.limitations.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
We believe that our common shares and ADSs should not currently be treated as stock of a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes forand we do not expect to become a PFIC in the current taxable year and for future taxable years, butforeseeable future. However, this conclusion is a factual determination that is made annually, based on the categories and amounts of income that we earn and the categories and valuation of our assets (including goodwill) for each taxable year, and thus may be subject to change. It is therefore possible that we could become a PFIC in a future taxable year. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that the Companywe will not be considered by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service to be a PFIC in the current or future years.
In general, if you are a U.S. holder, we will be a PFIC with respect to you if for any taxable year in which you held our common shares or ADSs:
at least 75% of our gross income for the taxable year is passive income; or
at least 50% of the value, determined on the basis of a quarterly average, of our assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income.
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of a trade or business), annuities and gains from assets that produce passive income. If a foreign corporation owns directly or indirectly at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation, the foreign corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation, and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporation’s income.
If we are treated as a PFIC, and you are a U.S. holder that does not make amark-to-market election, as described below, you will be subject to special rules with respect to:
any gain you realize on the sale or other disposition of your common shares or ADSs; and
any excess distribution that we make to you (generally, any distributions to you during a single taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions received by you in respect of the common shares or ADSs during the three preceding taxable years or, if shorter, the portion of your holding period for the common shares or ADSs)ADSs that preceded the taxable year in which you receive the distribution).
Under these rules:
the gain or excess distribution will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the common shares or ADSs,
the amount allocated to the taxable year in which you realized the gain or excess distribution will be taxed as ordinary income,
the amount allocated to each prior year, with certain exceptions, will be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for that year, and
the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed in respect of the tax attributable to each such year.
Special rules apply for calculating the amount of the foreign tax credit with respect to excess distributions by a PFIC.
If you own common shares or ADSs in a PFIC that are treated as marketable stock, you may make amark-to-market election. If you make this election, you will not be subject to the PFIC rules described above. Instead, in general, you will include as ordinary income each year the excess, if any, of the fair market value of your common shares or ADSs at the end of the taxable year over your tax basis in your common shares or ADSs. These amounts of ordinary income will not be eligible for the favorable tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income or long-term capital gains. You will also be allowed to take an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the tax basis of your common shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of previously included income as a result of themark-to-market election). Your tax basis in the common shares or ADSs will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. Your gain, if any, recognized upon the sale of your common shares or ADSs will be taxed as ordinary income.
Also, where a company that is a PFIC meets certain reporting requirements, a U.S. holder could avoid certain adverse PFIC consequences described herein by making a “qualified electing fund” (“QEF”) election to be taxed currently on its proportionate share of the PFIC’s ordinary income and net capital gains. U.S. holders will not be able to treat the Companya company as a QEF if the Companycompany does not prepare the information that U.S. holders would need to make a QEF election. We do not intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable U.S. holders to make a QEF election.
In addition, notwithstanding any election you make with regard to the common shares or ADSs, dividends that you receive from us will not constitute qualified dividend income to you if we are a PFIC either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year. Moreover, your common shares or ADSs will be treated as stock in a PFIC if we were a PFIC at any time during your holding period in your common shares or ADSs, even if we are not currently a PFIC. For purposes of this rule, if you make amark-to-market election with respect to your common shares or ADSs, you will be treated as having a new holding period in your common shares or ADSs beginning on the first day of the first taxable year beginning after the last taxable year for which themark-to-market election applies. Dividends that you receive that do not constitute qualified dividend income are not eligible for taxation at the 20% maximum ratepreferential rates applicable to qualified dividend income. Instead, you must include the gross amount of any such dividend paid by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) in your gross income, and it will be subject to tax at rates applicable to ordinary income as well as the special rules provided with respect to excess distributions, if applicable, as described above.
If you own common shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC with respect to you, you generally must file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621.
The rules dealing with PFICs and with the QEF andmark-to-market elections are very complex and are affected by various factors in addition to those described above, including the Company’sour ownership of anynon-U.S. subsidiaries. As a result, U.S. holders are urged toshould consult their own tax advisors concerning the PFIC rules.
Non-U.S. Holders
Except as described in the section titled “Information reportingReporting and backup withholding”Backup Withholding” below, anon-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the payment of dividends and the proceeds from the disposition of common shares or ADSs unless: such item is effectively connected with the conduct by thenon-U.S. holder of a trade or business inwithin the United States and, in the case of a resident of a country which has a treaty with the United States and is eligible for the benefits of the treaty with the United States, such item is attributable to a permanent establishment or, in the case of an individual, a fixed place of business, in the United States; or thenon-U.S. holder is an individual who holds the common shares or ADSs as a capital asset and is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition, certain other conditions are met, and suchnon-U.S. holder does not qualify for an exemption. If the first exception applies, thenon-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to such item in the same manner as a U.S. holder unless otherwise provided in an applicable income tax treaty; anon-U.S. holder that is a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also be subject to a branch profits tax with respect to such item at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty). If the second exception applies, thenon-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which suchnon-U.S. holder’s capital gains allocable to U.S. sources exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources during the taxable year of disposition of the common shares or ADSs.
Information reportingReporting and backup withholdingBackup Withholding
U.S. holders generally are subject to information reporting requirements with respect to dividends paid on common shares or ADSs and on the proceeds from the sale, exchange or disposition of common shares or ADSs unless the holder is a corporation or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. In addition, U.S. holders are subject toback-up withholding (currently at a rate of 28%) on dividends paid on common shares or ADSs, and on the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares or ADSs, unless each such U.S. holder provides a taxpayer identification number and a duly executed IRS FormW-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.Non-U.S. holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to dividends, or the proceeds from the sale, exchange or other disposition of common shares or ADSs, provided that each suchnon-U.S. holder certifies as to its foreign status on the applicable duly executed IRS FormW-8 or otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. holder’s ornon-U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that certain required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Information with Respect to Foreign Financial Assets
Individuals that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000US$50,000 will generally be required to file an information report with respect to such assets with their tax returns. “Specified foreign financial assets” may include any financial accounts maintained by foreign financial institutions, as well as any of the following, but only if they are not held in accounts maintained by financial institutions: (i) stocks and securities issued bynon-U.S. persons, (ii) financial instruments and contracts held for investment that havenon-U.S. issuers or counterparties and (iii) interests in foreign entities. U.S. holders that are individuals are urged toshould consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their ownership of common shares or ADSs.
Documents on Display
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. In accordance with these requirements, we file reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These materials, including this annual report and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Commission’s Public Reference Room by calling the Commission in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission alsoSEC maintains a web site athttp://website www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants, including the Company, that file electronically with the Commission. In addition, materialSEC. Please note that copies of the Company’s Form20-F and Form SD filed by us can be inspected at the officeswebsite set forth above and are also available on our website at www.tsmc.com (the website does not form part of the New York Stock Exchange at 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.this annual report on Form20-F).
ITEM 11. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS |
We are exposed to financial market risks, primarily changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and equity investment prices. A portion of these risks is hedged.
Foreign Currency Risk: Substantial portions of our revenues and expenses are denominated in currencies other than NT dollar. As a result, as of December 31, 2015, theThe majority of our receivablesrevenue is denominated in U.S. dollar and payables wereoverone-half of our capital expenditures are denominated in currencies other than NT dollar, primarily in U.S. dollar, Euro, Japanese Yenyen and Chinese Yuan. To protectEuro. As a result, any significant fluctuations to our disadvantage in exchange rate of NT dollar against reductionssuch currencies, in valueparticular a weakening of U.S. dollar against NT dollar, would have an adverse impact on our revenue and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changesoperating profit as expressed in foreign exchange rates, we utilizeNT dollar.
We use foreign currency denominated debts and offsetting derivatives includingcontracts, such as currency forward contracts and crossforwards or currency swaps, to hedge ourprotect against currency exposure.exchange rate risks associated withnon-NT dollar-denominated assets and liabilities and certain forecasted transactions. We also utilize U.S. dollar-denominated debt to partially offset currency risk arising from U.S. dollar-denominated receivables for balance sheet hedges. These hedging transactions help tohedges reduce, partially, but do not entirely eliminate, the impacteffect of foreign currency exchange rate movements.movements on our assets and liabilities. Based on a sensitivity analysis performed on our financial position as oftotal monetary assets and liabilities on December 31, 2015,2019, a hypothetical unfavorable 10% movement in the levels ofadverse foreign currency exchange rates relative to the NT dollar,rate change of 10% would have decreased our net income by NT$2,137 million (US$71 million) and decreased our other comprehensive income by NT$108 million (US$4 million), after taking into account hedginghedges and offsetting positions, would have increased our net unrealized losses by NT$902 million (US$28 million).
The table below presents our outstanding foreign currency derivative transactions as of December 31, 2015. These contracts all had a maturity date of not more than 12 months.positions. For further information, please refer to note 378, note 11 and note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.
Forward Exchange Agreements | As of December 31, 2015 Expected Maturity Dates | |||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 and thereafter | Total | Aggregate Fair Value(1) | |||||||
(Sell US$/Buy JPY) Contract amount | US$128.4 | US$128.4 | NT$(1.6) | |||||||||||
Average contractual exchange rate (against Japanese Yen) | 120.31 | 120.31 | ||||||||||||
(Sell US$/Buy RMB) Contract amount | US$226 | US$226 | NT$(25.7) | |||||||||||
Average contractual exchange rate (against RMB) | 6.48 | 6.48 | ||||||||||||
(Sell US$/Buy NT$) Contract amount | US$440 | US$440 | NT$(39.3) | |||||||||||
Average contractual exchange rate (against NT$ dollars) | 32.80 | 32.80 |
See “Item 3. Key Information — Exchange Rates” for a summary of the movements between the NT dollar and the U.S. dollar during recent years.
Interest Rate Risks:We are exposed to interest rate risks primarily related to our debt issuancesinvestment portfolio and investment portfolio. Our interest income and expenses are most sensitive to fluctuations in R.O.C. and U.S. interest rates.outstanding debt. Changes in R.O.C. and U.S. interest rates affect the interest earned on our cash and cash equivalentequivalents, and marketablefixed income securities, and the fair value of those securities, as well as interest paid on and the fair value of our debt.
The table below presents annual principal amounts due and related weighted average forward interest rates by yearobjective of maturity for our debt obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2015.
As of December 31, 2015 Expected Maturity Dates | ||||||||||||||
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 and thereafter | Total | Aggregate Fair Value(1) | ||||||||
Long-term debt (in millions) | ||||||||||||||
NT$ denominated debt | ||||||||||||||
Variable rate | NT$8 | NT$10 | NT$10 | NT$10 | NT$2 | NT$40 | NT$40 | |||||||
Average interest rate | 3.43% | 3.40% | 3.40% | 3.40% | 3.40% | 3.40%(2) | ||||||||
Fixed rate | NT$12,000 | NT$38,100 | NT$24,300 | NT$34,900 | NT$56,900 | NT$166,200 | NT$167,710 | |||||||
Average interest rate | 1.39% | 1.30% | 1.35% | 1.45% | 1.56% | 1.43% | ||||||||
US$ denominated debt | ||||||||||||||
Fixed rate | US$350 | US$1,150 | US$1,500 | US$1,475 | ||||||||||
Average interest rate | 0.95% | 1.63% | 1.47% |
Our investment policy is to achieve a return that will allow us to preserve capitalprincipal and maintainsupport liquidity requirements. We use a combination of internalThe policy generally requires securities to be investment grade and external management to execute our investment strategy. We typically invest in highly-rated securities, and limitlimits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer. The policy requires investments generally to be investment grade, with the primary objective of minimizing the potential risk of principal loss. Our cash and cash equivalents as well as fixed income investments in both fixed ratefixed- and floating rate interest earningfloating-rate securities carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rateThe majority of our fixed income investments are fixed-rate securities and classified as financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income, and may have their fair market value adversely impactedaffected due to a rise in interest rates, while floating ratecash and cash equivalents as well as floating-rate securities may producegenerate less interest income than predicted if interest rates fall.
As of December 31, 2015, we had outstanding floating- and fixed-rate securities with varying maturities for an aggregate carrying amount of $29,005 million (US$885 million), of which, NT$12,928 million (US$394 million) were classified as available-for-sales and NT$16,077 million (US$490 million) were classified as held-to-maturity. Based on a sensitivity analysis performed on our financial position as of December 31, 2015, a hypothetical 100 basis points (1.00%) increase in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease in the fair market value of our available-for-sale fixed income securities of approximately NT$272 million (US$8 million). For more information, please refer to note 37 to the consolidated financial statements.
We have entered, and may enter in the future, into interest rate futures to partially hedge the interest rate risk on our fixed-incomefixed income investments. The table below presentsHowever, these hedges can offset only a small portion of the financial impact from movement in interest rates.
Based on a sensitivity analysis performed on our outstanding interest rate futures transactionsfixed income investments with an aggregate carrying amount of NT$135,086 million (US$4,516 million) as of December 31, 2015.2019, a hypothetical adverse interest rate change of 100 basis points across all maturities would have decreased our net income by approximately NT$1 million (US$0.03 million) and our other comprehensive income by NT$3,517 million (US$118 million), after taking into account interest rate hedges. For further information, please refer to note 8, note 9, note 10, note 11 and note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.
As of December 31, 2019, we had outstanding floating- and fixed-rate debt with varying maturities for an aggregate carrying amount of NT$175,422 million (US$5,865 million). All of our short-term debt are floating-rate, hence a rise in interest rates may incur higher interest expense than predicted; all of our long-term debt are fixed-rate and measured at amortized cost. As such, changes in interest rates would not affect the future cash flows and the fair value. For further information, please refer to note 18, note 20 and note 34 to the consolidated financial statements.
Interest Rate Futures | As of December 31, 2015 Expected Maturity Dates | |||||||||||||
(in millions) | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 and thereafter | Total | Aggregate Fair Value(1) | |||||||
Contract notional amount | US$13.8 | US$13.8 | NT$1.7 | |||||||||||
Range of contract price | 109~119 | 109~119 |
Certain of our fixed income investments and short-term debt are primarily based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), which is expected to be replaced by other benchmark rate after 2021. We cannot predict the consequences and timing of these developments, and if such transition may cause a reduction in our interest income and/or an increase in our interest expense.
Other Market Risk: Our equity securities are subject to a wide variety of market-related risks that could substantially reduce the fair value of our holdings. We currently do not reduce our equity market exposure through hedging activities. As of December 31, 2015,2019, we had available-for-sale equity investments in the amount of NT$1,371 million (US$42 million). We also had investments in private equity securities mostly through a number of investment funds with a carrying value of NT$3,9914,124 million (US$122138 million). Based on a sensitivity analysis performed on our equity investments as of December 31, 2019, a hypothetical adverse price change of 10% would have decreased our other comprehensive income by approximately NT$402 million (US$13 million). The carryingactual disposal value of these investments is subject to fluctuations and their fair market value may be significantly different from thetheir carrying value. We experienced declines in the value of certain publicly traded securities and privately held investments and recorded impairment losses of NT$1,540 million, NT$211 million and NT$155 million (US$5 million), respectively, in 2013, 2014 and 2015. For further information, please refer to note 934 to the consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 12D. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES |
Depositary Fees and Charges
Under the terms of the Depository Agreement for the TSMC American Depositary Shares (ADSs), an ADS holder may have to pay the following service fees to the depositary bank:
Service | Fees | |
Issuance of ADS | Up to US$0.05 (or fractions thereof) per ADS issued | |
Cancellation of ADS | Up to US$0.05 (or fractions thereof) per ADS cancelled | |
Distribution of cash proceeds (i.e. upon sale of rights and other entitlements) | Up to US$0.02 (or fractions thereof) per ADS held | |
Distribution of ADS rights or other free distributions of Stock (excluding stock dividends) | Up to US$0.05 (or fractions thereof) per ADS issued |
Depositary fees payable upon the issuance and cancellation of ADSs are typically paid to the depositary bank by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) receiving the newly-issued ADSs from the depositary bank and by the brokers (on behalf of their clients) delivering the ADSs to the depositary bank for cancellation. The brokers in turn charge these transaction fees to their clients.
Depositary Payment
In 2015,2019, we received reimbursement of proxy related expenses (printing, postage and distribution) of US$98,026118,462 from Citibank, N.A., the Depositary Bank for our ADR program.
ITEM 13. | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES |
None.
ITEM 14. | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
None.
ITEM 15. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Pursuant to Rule 13(a)-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive and principal financial officers of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, the Co-ChiefChief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2015.2019.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our principal executive and principal financial officers to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB. Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect transactions and dispositions of assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.
As of the end of 2015,2019, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this assessment, management has determined that our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 is2019 was effective.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche, independently assessed the effectiveness of our company’s internal control over financial reporting. Deloitte & Touche has issued an attestation report, which is included at the end of this Item 15.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. During 2015,2019, there was no material change to our internal control over financial reporting.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2015,2019, based on the criteria established inInternal Control—Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated April 15, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of theits inherent limitations, of internal control over financial reporting including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be preventedprevent or detected on a timely basis.detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established inInternal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 of the Company and our report dated April 11, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the convenience translation of New Taiwan dollar amounts into U.S. dollar amounts.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche |
Taipei, Taiwan |
The Republic of China |
April |
15, 2020 |
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
Our Audit Committee is currently comprised of five independent directors. Since June 1, 2005, no Audit Committee member has served as audit committee financial expert. Instead, our Audit Committee has engaged a financial expert consultant who our board of directors determined has the attributes required of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under the applicable rules of the U.S. SEC issued pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In particular, our board of directors appointed Mr. J.C.Jan C. Lobbezoo to serve as an independent financial expert consultant to our Audit Committee from February 14, 2006 onwards. Our board of directors believes that the Audit Committee members along with the advisors of the Audit Committee, including the financial expert consultant, possess sufficient financial knowledge and experience.
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS |
We have adopted a “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy” for employees, officers and directors, which also applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and any other persons performing similar functions.
We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy”. Any request should be made per email to our Investor Relations Division atinvest@tsmc.com. invest@tsmc.com.
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The table below summarizes the fees that we paid for services provided by Deloitte & Touche and its affiliated firms (the “Deloitte Entities”) for the years ended December 31, 20142018 and 2015.2019.
2014 | 2015 | 2018 | 2019 | |||||||||||||
NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | NT$ | |||||||||||||
(In thousands) | (In thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Audit Fees | 65,065 | 60,363 | 55,323 | 63,920 | ||||||||||||
Audit-Related Fees | 180 | 90 | ||||||||||||||
All Other Fees | — | 2,076 | — | 83 | ||||||||||||
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Total | 65,245 | 62,529 | 55,323 | 64,003 | ||||||||||||
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Audit Fees. This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, review of quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of quarterly financial statements and statutory audits required bynon-U.S. jurisdictions, including statutory audits required by the Tax Bureau of the R.O.C., Customs Bureau of the R.O.C., and the FSC of the R.O.C.
Audit-Related Fees. This category consists of assurance and related services by the Deloitte Entities that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under “Audit Fees.” The services for the fees disclosed under this category include review of certain regulatory filings with the FSC of the R.O.C.
All Other Fees. This category consists of human resources related knowledge database and benchmark platform, along with accounting research tool.
We have not established any pre-approval policies and procedures, and, accordingly, all non-audit services need to be pre-approved by the Audit Committee on a case-by-case basis. The Audit Committee agreed to delegate to the Chairman of the Audit Committee authority to pre-approve non-material unanticipated non-audit services and to report any such actions to the Audit Committee for ratification at its next scheduled meeting. All audit and non-audit services performed by Deloitte & Touche in 2014 and 2015 were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
TSMC’s corporate governance practices are governed by applicable Taiwan law, specifically, the R.O.C. Company Law and R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, and also TSMC’s Articles of Incorporation. Also, because TSMC securities are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“U.S. SEC”) and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), TSMC is subject to corporate governance requirements applicable to NYSE-listed foreign private issuers.
Under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, NYSE-listed non-US companies may, in general, follow their home country corporate governance practices in lieu of most of the new NYSE corporate governance requirements. However, all NYSE-listed foreign private issuers must comply with NYSE Sections 303A.06, 303A.11, 303A.12(b) and 303A.12(c).
Item 16G as well as NYSE Section 303A.11 requires that foreign private issuers disclose any significant ways in which their corporate governance practices differ from US companies under NYSE listing standards. This requirement is not intended to suggest that one country’s corporate governance practices are better or more effective than another. A NYSE-listed foreign private issuer is required to provide to its US investors, a brief, general summary of the significant differences, either: (a) on the company website in English, or (b) in its annual report distributed to its US investors. To comply with NYSE Section 303A.11, TSMC has prepared the comparison in the table below.
The most relevant differences between TSMC corporate governance practices and NYSE standards for listed companies are as follows:
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Not applicable.
The Company has elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18 in lieu of Item 17.
Refer to the consolidated financial statements on page F-1.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.
Date: April 11, 2016
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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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F - 1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (a Republic of China corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 (all expressed in New Taiwan dollars). These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
April 15, 2020
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
Our Audit Committee has engaged a financial expert consultant who our board of directors determined has the attributes required of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under the applicable rules of the U.S. SEC issued pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In particular, our board of directors appointed Mr. Jan C. Lobbezoo to serve as an independent financial expert consultant to our Audit Committee from February 14, 2006 onwards. Our board of directors believes that the Audit Committee members along with the advisors of the Audit Committee, including the financial expert consultant, possess sufficient financial knowledge and experience.
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS |
We have adopted a “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy” for employees, officers and directors, which also applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and any other persons performing similar functions.
We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy”. Any request should be made per email to our Investor Relations Division at invest@tsmc.com.
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The table below summarizes the fees that we paid for services provided by Deloitte & Touche and its affiliated firms (the “Deloitte Entities”) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019.
2018 | 2019 | |||||||
NT$ | NT$ | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Audit Fees | 55,323 | 63,920 | ||||||
All Other Fees | — | 83 | ||||||
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Total | 55,323 | 64,003 | ||||||
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Audit Fees. This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, review of quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of quarterly financial statements and statutory audits required bynon-U.S. jurisdictions, including statutory audits required by the Tax Bureau of the R.O.C., Customs Bureau of the R.O.C., and the FSC of the R.O.C.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Our audits also comprehended the translation of New Taiwan dollar amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. Such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the readers outside the Republic of China.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 11, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Deloitte & Touche
Taipei, Taiwan
The Republic of China
April 15, 2020
ITEM 16A. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT |
Our Audit Committee has engaged a financial expert consultant who our board of directors determined has the attributes required of an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under the applicable rules of the U.S. SEC issued pursuant to Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In particular, our board of directors appointed Mr. Jan C. Lobbezoo to serve as an independent financial expert consultant to our Audit Committee from February 14, 2006 onwards. Our board of directors believes that the Audit Committee members along with the advisors of the Audit Committee, including the financial expert consultant, possess sufficient financial knowledge and experience.
ITEM 16B. | CODE OF ETHICS |
We have adopted a “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy” for employees, officers and directors, which also applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller, and any other persons performing similar functions.
We will provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of our “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy”. Any request should be made per email to our Investor Relations Division at invest@tsmc.com.
ITEM 16C. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The table below summarizes the fees that we paid for services provided by Deloitte & Touche and its affiliated firms (the “Deloitte Entities”) for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019.
2018 | 2019 | |||||||
NT$ | NT$ | |||||||
(In thousands) | ||||||||
Audit Fees | 55,323 | 63,920 | ||||||
All Other Fees | — | 83 | ||||||
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Total | 55,323 | 64,003 | ||||||
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Audit Fees. This category includes the audit of our annual financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, review of quarterly financial statements and services that are normally provided by the independent auditors in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. This category also includes advice on audit and accounting matters that arose during, or as a result of, the audit or the review of quarterly financial statements and statutory audits required bynon-U.S. jurisdictions, including statutory audits required by the Tax Bureau of the R.O.C., Customs Bureau of the R.O.C., and the FSC of the R.O.C.
All Other Fees. This category consists of research tool for accounting standards and regulations.
Our policy and procedures require all services performed by Deloitte & Touche to bepre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee agreed to delegate to the Chairman of the Audit Committee authority topre-approvenon-material unanticipatednon-audit services and to report any such items to the Audit Committee for ratification at its next scheduled meeting. All audit andnon-audit services performed by Deloitte & Touche in 2018 and 2019 werepre-approved by the Audit Committee.
ITEM 16D. | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES |
Not applicable.
ITEM 16E. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS |
Not applicable.
ITEM 16F. | CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT |
Not applicable.
ITEM 16G. | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
TSMC’s corporate governance practices are governed by applicable Taiwan law, specifically, the R.O.C. Company Act and R.O.C. Securities and Exchange Law, and also TSMC’s Articles of Incorporation. Also, because TSMC securities are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“U.S. SEC”) and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), TSMC is subject to corporate governance requirements applicable to NYSE-listed foreign private issuers.
Under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, NYSE-listednon-US companies may, in general, follow their home country corporate governance practices in lieu of most of the new NYSE corporate governance requirements. However, all NYSE-listed foreign private issuers must comply with NYSE Sections 303A.06, 303A.11, 303A.12(b) and 303A.12(c).
Item 16G as well as NYSE Section 303A.11 requires that foreign private issuers disclose any significant ways in which their corporate governance practices differ from US companies under NYSE listing standards. This requirement is not intended to suggest that one country’s corporate governance practices are better or more effective than another. A NYSE-listed foreign private issuer is required to provide to its US investors, a brief, general summary of the significant differences, either: (a) on the company website in English, or (b) in its annual report distributed to its US investors. To comply with NYSE Section 303A.11, TSMC has prepared the comparison in the table below.
The most relevant differences between TSMC corporate governance practices and NYSE standards for listed companies are as follows:
NYSE Standards for US Companies under Listed Company Manual Section 303A | TSMC Corporate Practices | |
NYSE Section 303A.01 requires a NYSE-listed company to have a majority of independent directors on its board of directors. | Taiwan law does not require a board of directors of publicly traded companies to consist of a majority of independent directors. Taiwan law requires public companies meeting certain criteria to have at least two independent directors but no less than one fifth of the total number of directors on its board of directors. In addition, Taiwan law requires public companies to disclose information pertaining to their directors, including their independence status. Please see TSMC’s annual report and Form20-F for the relevant year filed with the Taiwan authorities and the U.S. SEC (both of which are available online atwww.tsmc.com) for information on the total number of TSMC directors and directors who would be considered independent under NYSE Section 303A.02 and Taiwan law. | |
NYSE Section 303A.02 establishes general standards to evaluate directors’ independence (no director qualifies as independent unless the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the listed company either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the listed company). | Taiwan law establishes comparable standards to evaluate director independence. For further information, please consult TSMC’s Taiwan annual report for the relevant year. | |
NYSE Section 303A.03 requiresnon-management directors to meet at regularly scheduled executive meetings that are not attended by management. | Taiwan law does not contain such a requirement. Except for meetings ofsub-committees of the board of directors and those held by managing directors, Taiwan law does not allow separate board meetings of part but not all of the board of directors. | |
NYSE Section 303A.04requires listed companies to have a nominating/corporate governance committee comprised entirely of independent directors which committee shall have a written charter establishing certain minimum responsibilities as set forth in NYSE Section 303A.04(b)(i) and providing for an annual evaluation of the committee’s performance. | Taiwan law does not contain such a requirement. However, TSMC’s directors must be nominated either by the shareholders or by the entire board of directors. | |
NYSE Section 303A.05(a)requires listed companies to have a compensation committee comprised entirely of independent directors. | Taiwan law requires certain public companies, such as us, to establish a compensation committee by September 30, 2011. TSMC, however, has established its compensation committee since 2003, which has met the requirements under the Taiwan law. Taiwan law permits anon-director independent member, appointed by the board of directors, to serve as a member on the compensation committee, so long as such member meets the independent and other requirements under the relevant Taiwan law. Also, as required by the TWSE, the compensation committee of the companies listed on the TWSE must consist of a majority of independent directors, and all the members of the compensation committee shall elect an independent director to act as the convener and the chairperson of the meeting. Please see TSMC’s annual report and Form20-F for the relevant year filed with the Taiwan authorities and the U.S. SEC (both of which are available online atwww.tsmc.com) for further information regarding the composition and functions of its compensation committee. |
NYSE Section 303A.05(b)requires a compensation committee’s charter to establish certain minimum responsibilities and to provide for an annual evaluation of the committee’s performance. | Taiwan law requires certain public companies, such as us, to establish a compensation committee by September 30, 2011. TSMC, however, has established its compensation committee since 2003, which has met the requirements under the Taiwan law, and TSMC’s compensation committee charter contains the same responsibilities as those provided under NYSE Section 303A.05(b)(i) and mandates the committee to review the adequacy of its charter annually. | |
NYSE Section 303A.06requires listed companies to have an audit committee that satisfies the requirements of Rule10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Foreign private issuers must satisfy the requirements of Rule10A-3 under the Exchange Act by July 31, 2005. | TSMC voluntarily established its audit committee before the promulgation of related Taiwan law. Our audit committee fully complies with both local law requirements and corporate governance standards. Please see TSMC’s annual report and Form20-F for the relevant year filed with the Taiwan authorities and the U.S. SEC (both of which are available online atwww.tsmc.com) for further information regarding the composition of its audit committee. TSMC’s audit committee members are all financially literate and are assisted by a financial expert consultant. | |
NYSE Section 303A.07(a)requires an audit committee to consist of at least three board members. All of its members shall be financially literate or must acquire such financial knowledge within a reasonable period and at least one of its members shall have experience in accounting or financial administration. | Taiwan law requires all independent directors of a public company to be members of the audit committee if the company has established such a committee of which at least one shall have accounting or financial expertise. Please see TSMC’s annual report and Form20-F for the relevant year filed with the Taiwan authorities and the U.S. SEC (both of which are available online atwww.tsmc.com) for further information regarding the composition of its audit committee. TSMC’s audit committee members are all financially literate and are assisted by a financial expert consultant. | |
NYSE Section 303A.07(a) requires that if an audit committee member is simultaneously a member of the audit committee of more than three public companies, and the listed company does not limit the number of audit committees on which its members may serve, then, in each case the board of that company shall determine whether the simultaneous service would prevent such member from effectively serving on the listed company’s audit committee, and shall report its decision in the annual proxy statement of the company or in the company’s annual report on Form10-K filed with the SEC. | Taiwan law does not contain such requirement. Taiwan law requires all independent directors of a public company to be members of the audit committee if the company has established such a committee. Taiwan law forbids an independent director from serving as an independent director on a total of more than four Taiwan public companies. | |
NYSE Section 303A.07(a)All members of the audit committee are required to be independent. | Taiwan law requires all independent directors of a public company to be members of the audit committee if the company has established such a committee. | |
NYSE Section 303A.07(b)requires an audit committee to have a written charter establishing the duties and responsibilities of its members, including the duties and responsibilities required, at a minimum, by Rule10A-3(b)(2), (3), (4) & (5) of the Exchange Act. | Taiwan law requires comparable standards. TSMC currently has a written audit committee charter containing the same duties and responsibilities as those provided underSection 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. | |
NYSE Section 303A.07(b)(iii)(B) and (C) establishes audit committee objectives: (i) to discuss the annual audited financial statements and the quarterly financial statements of the company with management and the independent auditor, including the information disclosed under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”; and (ii) to discuss the company’s press releases relating to its earnings as well as the financial information and guidelines relating to its earnings that are supplied to analysts and rating agencies. | TSMC’s written audit committee charter establishes the same audit committee objectives. | |
NYSE Section 303A.07(b)(iii)(G)requires an audit committee to establish clear policies for hiring external auditor’s employees. | Taiwan law does not contain such requirement. |
NYSE Section 303A.07(c)requires each company to have an internal audit function that provides to the management and to the audit committee ongoing assessments on the company’s risk management processes and internal control system. | Taiwan law requires public companies to establish an internal audit function. Internal auditors are subject to strict qualification standards under Taiwan law, which require the board of directors to approve the appointment of the head of a company’s internal audit function. TSMC’s internal audit function has substantially the same responsibilities as provided under NYSE Section 303A.07(d). | |
NYSE Section 303A.08requires each company to give to shareholders the opportunity to vote on all equity based compensation plans and material revisions thereto with certain exceptions. | Taiwan law imposes a similar requirement. TSMC currently does not have any equity based compensation plan. Employee stock option plans (“ESOPs”) are required to be approved by the board of directors. Shareholders’ approval is not required if the number of options granted under the relevant ESOP does not exceed the reservation made in TSMC’s Articles of Incorporation and if the exercise price is not below the price as determined by relevant regulations. Otherwise, any change to such reservation in the Articles requires shareholders’ approval. | |
NYSE Section 303A.09 requires public companies to adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines, including several issues for which such reporting is mandatory, and to include such information on the company’s website (which website should also include the charters of the audit committee, the nominating committee, and the compensation committee.) | Taiwan law does not contain such requirement. Under Taiwan law, if a listed company has voluntarily adopted corporate governance guidelines, it must inform investors how to access such guidelines. | |
NYSE Section 303A.09 requires the board of directors to make a self-assessment of its performance at least once a year to determine if it or its committees function effectively and report thereon. | Starting from 2020, companies listed on the TWSE are required by TWSE’s new rule to conduct self-assessment or peer assessment on the performance of the board of directors and each director every year and to submit the assessment results to TWSE by the end of the first quarter of the next year. TSMC has been conducting annual self-assessment on its Audit Committee’s performance since 2011 and will comply with TWSE’s new requirement accordingly. | |
NYSE Section 303A.10provides for the adoption of a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and sets out the topics that such code must contain. | Taiwan law does not contain such requirement. But, because of sound corporate governance principles, TSMC has adopted an “Ethics and Business Conduct Policy”, which complies with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act’s requirements concerning financial officers and CEO accountability. | |
NYSE Section 303A.12(a)requires the CEO, on a yearly basis, to certify to the NYSE that he or she knows of no violation by the company of NYSE rules relating to corporate governance. | Taiwan law does not contain such a requirement. But, in order to comply with relevant SEC regulations, TSMC’s CEO is required to certify in TSMC’s20-F annual report that, to his or her knowledge the information contained therein fairly represents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operation of TSMC. | |
NYSE Section 303A.12(b)requires the CEO to notify the NYSE in writing whenever any executive officer of the company becomes aware of any substantialnon-fulfillment of any applicable provision under NYSE Section 303A. | Taiwan law does not contain such requirement. But, in order to be consistent with the corporate governance principles established under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, TSMC’s CEO complies with the notice provision as set forth under NYSE Section 303A.12(b). | |
NYSE Section 303A.12(c)requires each listed company to submit an executed Written Affirmation annually to the NYSE and Interim Written Affirmation each time a specified change occurs in the board or any of the committees subject to Section 303A. | Taiwan law does not contain such requirement. But, in order to comply with the corporate governance principles established under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, TSMC complies with NYSE Section 303A.12(c). |
ITEM 16H. | MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE |
Not applicable.
ITEM 17. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The Company has elected to provide the financial statements and related information specified in Item 18 in lieu of Item 17.
ITEM 18. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
Refer to the consolidated financial statements on pageF-1.
ITEM 19. | EXHIBITS |
(1) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed by TSMC on April 2, 2013. |
(2) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, filed by TSMC on May 9, 2002. |
(3) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999, filed by TSMC on June 29, 2000. |
(4) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, filed by TSMC on April 14, 2014. |
(5) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, filed by TSMC on April 11, 2016. |
(6) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, filed by TSMC on April 30, 1999. |
(7) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed by TSMC on May 28, 2004. |
(8) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, filed by TSMC on April 13, 2015. |
(9) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, filed by TSMC on April 13, 2017. |
(10) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed by TSMC on April 19, 2018. |
(11) | Previously filed in TSMC’s annual report on Form20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed by TSMC on April 17, 2019. |
(P) | Paper filing |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant certifies that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned.
Date: April 15, 2020
TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Wendell Huang | |
Name: | Wendell Huang | |
Title: | Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer / Spokesperson |
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page | ||||
Consolidated Financial Statements of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited and Subsidiaries | ||||
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements | F-1 | |||
| F-2 | |||
F-4 | ||||
Consolidated Statements of Profit or | F-6 | |||
F-8 | ||||
F-9 | ||||
F-12 |
F - 1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (a Republic of China corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
Our audits also comprehended the translation of New Taiwan dollar amounts into U.S. dollar amounts and, in our opinion, such translation has been made in conformity with the basis stated in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements. Such U.S. dollar amounts are presented solely for the convenience of the readers outside the Republic of China.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 15, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
F - 2
Property, plant and equipment (PP&E) - commencement of depreciation related to PP&E classified as equipment under installation and construction in progress (EUI/CIP) - refer to Notes 5, 6, and 15
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s evaluation of when to commence depreciation of EUI/CIP involves determining when the assets are available for their intended use. The criteria the Company uses to determine whether EUI/CIP are available for their intended use involves subjective judgments and assumptions about the conditions necessary for the assets to be capable of operating in the intended manner. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on when depreciation is recognized.
Given the subjectivity in determining the date to commence depreciation of EUI/CIP, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of the Company’s judgments and assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the evaluation of when to commence depreciation of EUI/CIP included the following, among others: