TSMC posted September revenue of 511.86 billion new Taiwanese dollars ($16.03 billion), a 54.6% jump from a year earlier, the world's largest contract chipmaker reported Thursday.

The monthly figure represents a 0.6% decline from August, according to the company's official monthly revenue data. Even so, the September numbers bring revenue for the July-September quarter to approximately $46.7 billion.

What drove the surge?

TSMC manufactures chips for Nvidia and Apple, among other customers. The company has benefited from growing investment in AI infrastructure and sustained demand for the advanced processors used in data centers.

That demand curve is visible in the monthly sequence:

• August: revenue rose 10.1% from July to about $16.12 billion, up 53.3% year over year.
• September: revenue of $16.03 billion, up 54.6% year over year but 0.6% below August's level.
• July-September quarter: total revenue of roughly $46.7 billion.

The slight sequential dip follows an unusually sharp month-on-month increase in August, suggesting normalization rather than a demand reversal.

How did the market react?

TSMC shares closed 1.35% lower in Taiwan ahead of the monthly revenue announcement. Investors now await the company's fuller picture of profitability.

TSMC is scheduled to release its complete third-quarter financial results on Oct. 15, which will provide further detail on margins and its business outlook.