AXL breaks through $1.3, reaching a new all-time high

According to reports, there is a severe shortage of core components for semiconductor equipment in South Korea. Delivery cycles have generally doubled, and waiting times for some Japanese-made parts are as long as 40 months, with components unavailable even at a premium price. Japanese suppliers are cautious about expanding production capacity, resulting in serious delays that have impacted downstream businesses. Major construction projects like Samsung’s Pyeongtaek and SK Hynix’s Yongin face the risk of postponement, with AI chip expansion plans running into a “hard wall” in the supply chain.