TSM

We rate TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD (TSM) as a Buy with a composite score of 73.1/100 at a current price of $386.18. The stock scores above average across the majority of our six quantitative factors and ranks #33 out of 7,333 stocks in our universe, reflecting a favorable risk-reward profile.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in value (88th percentile) and quality (85th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in investment (36th percentile) and stability (70th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a Wide Moat rating (70/100), Medium uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation.

Key items to watch: sustainability of the current growth rate. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD holds an above-average position (#18 of 50) within the Manufacturing sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 73.1/100 places it at rank #33 in our full 7,333-stock universe. As a mega-cap company with a $1.0T market capitalization, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD benefits from significant scale, distribution networks, and brand recognition that smaller competitors cannot easily replicate.

The near-term outlook is constructive, with revenue growing at 24% and momentum in the 78th percentile confirming positive market sentiment and institutional accumulation. The combination of strong top-line growth and favorable price dynamics suggests the company is executing well on its growth strategy. Investment factor at the 36th percentile indicates reinvestment patterns that investors should monitor for sustainability.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 56% (+13.8pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 46% (+44.5pp vs sector) and net margins of 40.1%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 71%. This efficient conversion suggests well-controlled operating costs and limited margin leakage between the gross and net levels.

At a current price of $386.18, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD appears undervalued relative to its fundamentals. Our value factor score of 88/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. The stock screens as attractively priced on a majority of these measures, suggesting the market may be underappreciating the underlying fundamentals.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 271.6x (a 1121% premium to the sector median of 22.3x), EV/EBITDA of 7.8x (discounted to peers), P/B of 14.8x, P/S of 5.5x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis partially supports given strong quality metrics.

We assign a Medium uncertainty rating to TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD. The stock presents a balanced risk profile: elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.45) and elevated valuation multiple (P/E 271.6x) that leaves limited margin for error. While not risk-free, the core business fundamentals are adequate to withstand moderate economic stress, and the range of potential outcomes around our fair value estimate is manageable.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.45); elevated valuation multiple (P/E 271.6x) that leaves limited margin for error. Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 70th percentile and quality factor at the 85th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 56% provide a buffer against cost pressures; conservative leverage (25% D/E) limits balance sheet risk; above-average stability (70th percentile) suggests predictable business dynamics. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile is favorable for long-term investors.

We rate TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD's capital allocation as Exemplary. Management demonstrates a strong track record of balancing reinvestment with shareholder returns, evidenced by returns on equity of 109.1%, disciplined leverage (25% D/E), best-in-class net margins of 40.1%. Exemplary allocators typically generate returns on equity above 20% while maintaining debt-to-equity below 50% — TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD meets this high bar.

The balance sheet remains conservatively managed, providing financial flexibility for opportunistic investments while maintaining a margin of safety for shareholders. The company returns capital via a 1.46% dividend yield, and the combination of 69.2% return on assets and controlled leverage suggests management is deploying capital at rates well above the cost of capital — the hallmark of exemplary stewardship.

In summary, TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD receives a Buy rating with a composite score of 73.1/100 (rank #33 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a Wide Moat (70/100, trend: stable), Medium uncertainty, and Exemplary capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 71/100.

Our analysis supports a constructive view on TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD. The combination of a wide competitive moat, medium uncertainty, and exemplary capital allocation creates a risk-reward profile that favors accumulation at current levels. We recommend investors consider adding this name to portfolios aligned with the stock's risk profile.