TSMC heads into its Thursday earnings call with strong sales and AI demand behind it, so a short-term dip afterward would likely be profit-taking rather than a warning sign.

• TSMC shares have on average slipped a bit the day after past earnings calls, driven by quick traders cashing out, not weakening business.
• September sales were up 55% from a year earlier, and third-quarter revenue beat the company's own guidance, with full-year growth now seen above 40%.
• The three things that matter on the call: fourth-quarter growth, how long advanced chips and AI packaging stay sold out, and whether next year's spending plans get raised.
• Foreign brokers have been racing to lift price targets ahead of the call, with the most bullish now far above the current share price.
• Taiwan's wider market fell hard on Monday, dropping below 49,000 points, with all the big names including TSMC, MediaTek and Foxconn lower.

Outlook: A red-to-black swing right after the call is likely, but as long as AI orders hold, the longer-term story stays intact.