Disco Shares Surge 15% on AI-Driven Chip Equipment Demand, Earnings Beat (8367.T)

Disco Corp. (8367.T) shares rose as much as 15%, the most since April, after the semiconductor equipment maker posted December-quarter operating income of ¥47.3 billion ($299 million), surpassing analyst estimates of ¥39.3 billion. The Tokyo-based supplier of wafer dicing and grinding tools benefited from surging demand for AI-related chips, driven by data center expansions at companies like Meta Platforms Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. Despite a conservative outlook that missed forecasts, investors focused on strong current earnings. Rival foundry TSMC plans up to $56 billion in capital spending this year, while SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics boost memory production. Jefferies analysts Masahiro Nakanomyo and Hisako Furusumi noted broadening demand, including from China, with actual shipments reflecting underlying strength in the semiconductor equipment sector.