Strong demand for AI chips and advanced semiconductors helped TSMC double its market value over the past year, securing a place among the world’s 10 most valuable companies.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has entered the ranks of the world’s 10 most valuable companies after its market capitalisation more than doubled over the past year, highlighting the growing influence of artificial intelligence on the semiconductor industry.
According to PwC Taiwan’s Global Top 100 Companies by Market Capitalisation report, TSMC’s market value climbed 101% year-over-year to US$1.427 trillion as of March 31, 2026. The surge lifted the chipmaker from 12th place to ninth in the global rankings, making it the fastest-growing company among the world’s top 10 by market capitalisation.
TSMC was the only Taiwanese company to secure a place in the top 100. Its strong performance also elevated Taiwan’s standing among economies represented in the ranking, moving the country from seventh to fourth place globally, behind only the United States, China, and Saudi Arabia.
PwC Taiwan attributed TSMC’s rapid rise to robust demand for AI-related hardware and advanced semiconductors. The company’s position at the centre of the global chip supply chain has enabled it to benefit from rising investments in AI infrastructure, data centres, and high-performance computing.
While the achievement reinforces Taiwan’s strategic importance in the global technology ecosystem, PwC cautioned that the country’s increasing dependence on the semiconductor sector could pose long-term risks. Future growth could become more vulnerable to fluctuations in chip industry cycles unless Taiwan broadens its industrial base.
The report also highlighted the broader impact of AI on global markets. The combined market capitalisation of the world’s top 100 companies reached a record US$51.8 trillion, rising 22% from a year earlier. AI-driven demand helped propel Nvidia past Apple to become the world’s most valuable company, while technology remained the dominant sector, accounting for US$18.69 trillion in market value.
The findings underscore how AI is reshaping global corporate rankings, with semiconductor companies emerging as some of the biggest beneficiaries of the technology investment wave.
