TSMC Approves $1 Billion Anthropic, OpenAI Stakes and Record Dividend
TSMC's board approved up to $500 million each in Anthropic and OpenAI, a record NT$9 dividend and $40.9 billion in new capital spending for 2027.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / Peellden (CC BY-SA 3.0)
HSINCHU, Taiwan, Nov 11 — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. approved investments of up to $500 million each in Anthropic and OpenAI on Tuesday, taking the world's largest contract chipmaker from supplier to shareholder in the two AI developers its factories supply. The board also raised the quarterly dividend to a record NT$9 a share and approved about $40.93 billion in capital spending, TSMC said in board resolutions filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
The decisions, taken at a board meeting on November 10, put TSMC on both sides of the AI boom: it makes the chips that train and run large language models, and will now hold equity in two of their leading developers. The Anthropic stake will be bought at the price set in its initial public offering, while the OpenAI stake is preferred stock. TSMC gave no price, valuation or timetable for the OpenAI purchase; the amounts are approval ceilings, not money already spent.
Key Takeaways
- TSMC's board approved up to $500 million in Anthropic common shares at the IPO price and up to $500 million in OpenAI preferred stock.
- The dividend rises to NT$9 a share from NT$7, up 28.6 percent to a single-quarter record, payable April 8, 2027.
- About $40.93 billion in capital appropriations will fund advanced process technology, packaging, factory construction and 2027 research.
- Anthropic's filing lists TSMC Partners among seven buyers of about $26 billion of stock at the IPO price; Google and Nvidia are in for about $10 billion each.
How Much Is TSMC Investing in Anthropic and OpenAI?
The two stakes total up to $1 billion. The Anthropic subscription is for common shares at the offering price; the OpenAI subscription is for preferred stock in OpenAI Group PBC, with no round or price disclosed. The board also approved up to $500 million to set up an investment company for the semiconductor industry.
Anthropic set its IPO range at $70 to $78 a share the same day, offering 825 million shares to raise up to $64.4 billion at about a $1.4 trillion valuation. Its amended registration statement, filed November 10, lists TSMC Partners among seven buyers of about $26 billion of non-voting Class N stock at the offering price, with Google and Nvidia each buying about $10 billion. Anthropic plans to price the offering on November 18 and list on Nasdaq as ANT.
What Is TSMC's Record NT$9 Dividend and When Is It Paid?
The board declared a third-quarter cash dividend of NT$9 a share, up NT$2 from the NT$7 paid for each of the first two quarters of 2026 — a 28.6 percent rise and the largest single-quarter dividend in company history. Shares go ex-dividend March 11, 2027, the record date is March 17, and payment is set for April 8, 2027. The meeting also approved third-quarter results: revenue NT$1,494.24 billion, net income NT$763.06 billion and diluted earnings per share NT$29.43.
The payout follows a record October, when TSMC's revenue jumped 59.7 percent to a monthly high on AI chip demand.
How TSMC's $40.9 Billion Capital Plan Affects AI Chip Supply
The $40.93 billion covers advanced process technology, advanced packaging, factory construction and research spending for 2027. TSMC is expanding the plants that make AI chips while buying into the companies whose models drive demand for them.
| Board decision | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic common shares | Up to $500 million | At IPO price |
| OpenAI preferred stock | Up to $500 million | Undisclosed |
| Strategic investment company | Up to $500 million | Semiconductor ecosystem |
| Capital appropriations | About $40.93 billion | Process, packaging, fabs, research |
| Q3 cash dividend | NT$9.00 a share | Up from NT$7.00; Apr 8, 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TSMC buying Anthropic shares at the IPO price?
Yes. TSMC's board approved up to $500 million of Anthropic common shares at the per-share price set in the offering. Anthropic's range is $70 to $78 a share, with pricing set for November 18.
How much is TSMC investing in OpenAI?
Up to $500 million in preferred stock of OpenAI Group PBC, with no price, valuation or timetable disclosed. OpenAI has closed about $11 billion in its current round at a $1.25 trillion valuation.
When will TSMC pay the NT$9 dividend?
Payment is scheduled for April 8, 2027. Shares go ex-dividend March 11, 2027; the record date is March 17, 2027.
What is TSMC's $40.9 billion capital budget for?
Advanced process technology, advanced packaging, factory construction and 2027 research spending.
Anthropic is scheduled to price its offering on November 18. TSMC reports November revenue on December 10.
