Chinese Chipmakers Project Strong Revenue Growth Despite US Export Restrictions

Two leading Chinese semiconductor firms have issued upbeat revenue forecasts for the first half of 2026, signalling continued momentum in the country’s push for self-reliance in advanced computing hardware. Moore Threads Technology and Hygon Information Technology expect sharp year-on-year increases despite ongoing United States export controls on high-end chips.

Moore Threads anticipates revenue between 1.65 billion yuan and 1.75 billion yuan. That represents growth of between 135 percent and 149 percent compared with the same period last year. The company pointed to stronger sales of its graphics processing units and wider commercial rollout of its Kua’e computing clusters. Its flagship MTT S5000 GPU has entered mass production and is said to offer performance comparable to leading international products.

Hygon Information Technology projects revenue of 8.5 billion to 9.3 billion yuan. This would mark an increase of 55.6 percent to 70.2 percent. The firm develops central processing units and accelerator cards designed for demanding computational workloads. It attributed the outlook to rapid advances in large AI models, AI agents, and localisation of commercial applications.

The projections come as China invests heavily in building a domestic semiconductor ecosystem. American restrictions have limited access to the most advanced processors from companies like NVIDIA. This has created space for local firms to capture more of the domestic market for graphics processors, accelerators, and server chips.

Several other Chinese companies, including Biren Technology, MetaX Integrated Circuits, Iluvatar CoreX, and Enflame Technology, are also expanding their presence. Cloud providers and data centre operators increasingly seek locally produced alternatives to reduce supply chain risks.

The developments carry implications for global technology supply chains. Construction and infrastructure sectors worldwide rely on computing power for design software, project management systems, simulation tools, and monitoring platforms. More competitive domestic options in major markets could influence equipment costs and availability for large-scale projects.

In Kenya and other African countries expanding digital infrastructure, the ripple effects may eventually appear in pricing and access to AI-enabled tools for urban planning, smart cities, and construction management. Reliable, locally optimised computing hardware could support broader technology adoption in emerging markets.

The forecasts highlight how geopolitical tensions are reshaping the semiconductor industry. Companies are accelerating efforts to develop and scale home-grown solutions. While challenges remain in achieving parity with the most cutting-edge foreign technology, steady progress in commercial deployment suggests narrowing gaps in certain segments.

Investor reaction was mixed despite the positive guidance. Shares in both companies dipped in trading, reflecting broader caution around the sector. Analysts nevertheless remain optimistic about long-term prospects, particularly for firms positioned to benefit from China’s data centre and AI infrastructure build-out.

The story forms part of a larger pattern. Nations are investing in technological sovereignty across critical domains. For the construction industry, this could mean greater diversity in the tools and platforms available for complex modelling, resource optimisation, and project delivery in the years ahead.