TSMC cuts 2023 capex after record Q4 as chip demand weakens

FILE PHOTO: A logo of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is seen at its headquarters in Hsinchu, Taiwan August 31, 2018. Picture taken August 31, 2018. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC warned on Thursday that first-quarter revenue would drop as much as 5% and it would slash annual investment as the major Apple Inc supplier expects softer demand due to a slowing global economy.

The bearish outlook follows a forecast-beating 78% jump in fourth-quarter profit, underscoring the depth of a sharp slowdown in a global technology sector that is grappling with worsening consumer demand brought about by decades-high inflation rates, rising interest rates and an economic downturn.