Semiconductor & Technology Specialist, Ingenuity

William Keating

Semiconductor & Technology Specialist

Ingenuity

Our focus is exclusively on in-depth research & consulting in the broader semiconductor industry. We focus on the key players, namely Intel, Micron, Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, NVIDIA, AMD, TSMC & Global Foundries - as well as some of the lesser known, but nonetheless critical, companies such as ASML (for EUV), Mellanox, Cavium, Xilinx etc. We specialise in their products, roadmaps, process technologies, competitive advantages & threats etc. We also help our clients understand the implications of new and emerging technologies, e.g. 3D X-Point, 3D NAND, Carbon Nanotubes, Autonomous Driving, Graphene, Silicon Photonics, Wafer-Level Optics, Artificial Intelligence, FPGA, GPU, ASIC etc. 

Semiconductor Analysis & Research

Equity Bottom-Up

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) / Equity Bottom-Up

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC)

<ul>
<li>Both SMIC &amp; Hua Hong reported Q423 earnings in line with expectations and both guided Q124 flat to slightly down. SMIC expects FY24 mid single digit growth YoY.</li>
<li>The downturn has exposed inherent weakness in China's Semi Foundry segment relative to peers as exemplified by the significant GM disparity</li>
<li>China's two leading semi foundries have ~80% domestic dependence. Right now, that's a headwind</li>
</ul>


Both SMIC &amp; Hua Hong reported Q423 earnings in line with expectations and both guided Q124 flat to slightly down. SMIC expects FY24 mid single digit growth YoY.
The downturn has exposed inherent weakness in China's Semi Foundry segment relative to peers as exemplified by the significant GM disparity
China's two leading semi foundries have ~80% domestic dependence. Right now, that's a headwind


China Semi Foundry: Fierce Competition & Sluggish Rebound In Year Of The Dragon

Asia and Global Semiconductor and Tech Research

Andrew Lu

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>TSMC reiterates 2024 sales y/y growth of 20-25% but revises down 2024 global semiconductor y/y sales from over 10% to 10% and global foundry sales growth from 20% to 15-19%.</li>
<li>
<strong>No more Moore's Law</strong>: After 3 years ramp up gap between N5-N3, TSMC confirms 10-11 quarters of ramp up gap between N3 and N2 due to longer production cycle.</li>
<li>Driven by stronger digital consumer (33% q/q), HPC (3% q/q), IoT (5% q/q) sales but weaker smartphone IC (-16% q/q), TSMC reports 1Q24 sales decline of only 5% q/q.</li>
</ul>


TSMC reiterates 2024 sales y/y growth of 20-25% but revises down 2024 global semiconductor y/y sales from over 10% to 10% and global foundry sales growth from 20% to 15-19%.

No more Moore's Law: After 3 years ramp up gap between N5-N3, TSMC confirms 10-11 quarters of ramp up gap between N3 and N2 due to longer production cycle.
Driven by stronger digital consumer (33% q/q), HPC (3% q/q), IoT (5% q/q) sales but weaker smartphone IC (-16% q/q), TSMC reports 1Q24 sales decline of only 5% q/q.


What Is TSMC Telling Us About Semi Supply Chain Stories at Its Investor Conference?

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

<ul>
<li>The 1Q24F outlook is still showing a decline, with a slightly increase in revenue of 2% QoQ. However, the GM is expected to decrease to 9-11% from 16.4% in 4Q23.</li>
<li>Management predicts that there will be a double U-shaped recovery in 2024F. Revenue in 2024F is expected to grow annually by mid-single-digit.</li>
<li>The main areas of growth for SMIC in 2024F will be in mobile phones, smart homes, IoT, and computing.</li>
</ul>


The 1Q24F outlook is still showing a decline, with a slightly increase in revenue of 2% QoQ. However, the GM is expected to decrease to 9-11% from 16.4% in 4Q23.
Management predicts that there will be a double U-shaped recovery in 2024F. Revenue in 2024F is expected to grow annually by mid-single-digit.
The main areas of growth for SMIC in 2024F will be in mobile phones, smart homes, IoT, and computing.


SMIC (981.HK): The GM Reaches a New Low of 9-11% in 1Q24F, Despite Revenue Growing by 2% QoQ.

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities, LightStream Research

Scott Foster

Independent Insight Provider, Japanese equities

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<ul>
<li>Reports emphasizing that SMIC fell short of 3Q expectations don't make much sense. The real test starts this quarter with 7nm smart phone processors for Huawei in mass production.</li>
<li>Profits are under pressure from low capacity utilization, rising depreciation and continued high investment. Cash flow is adequate. The balance sheet is sound.</li>
<li>The share price dropped 6.8% on Friday after rising 44% from late August to early November. 4Q guidance points to near-zero operating and net profit. Recovery will take time.</li>
</ul>


Reports emphasizing that SMIC fell short of 3Q expectations don't make much sense. The real test starts this quarter with 7nm smart phone processors for Huawei in mass production.
Profits are under pressure from low capacity utilization, rising depreciation and continued high investment. Cash flow is adequate. The balance sheet is sound.
The share price dropped 6.8% on Friday after rising 44% from late August to early November. 4Q guidance points to near-zero operating and net profit. Recovery will take time.


SMIC (SEHK: 00981; SSE Star Market: 688981): Back to Reality

<ul>
<li>Based on the some judgments, SMIC consider it will be relatively flat demand in 2024F.</li>
<li>SMIC took into consideration geopolitical instability and allowed equipment vendors to submit orders in advance. </li>
<li>Currently, only a few manufacturers are stockpiling smartphones in response to this wave. The overall industry remains relatively stable.</li>
</ul>


Based on the some judgments, SMIC consider it will be relatively flat demand in 2024F.
SMIC took into consideration geopolitical instability and allowed equipment vendors to submit orders in advance. 
Currently, only a few manufacturers are stockpiling smartphones in response to this wave. The overall industry remains relatively stable.


SMIC (981.HK): Probably A Double U-Shape Correction for Around 2 Years Until the End of 2024F.

China

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation operates a semiconductor foundry. The Company provides integrated circuit foundry and technology services including the testing, development, design, manufacturing, packaging, and sale of integrated circuits. Semiconductor Manufacturing International offers its products and services around the world.

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) (981 HK)

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) (981 HK)

China Semi Foundry: Fierce Competition & Sluggish Rebound In Year Of The Dragon

SMIC & Hua Hong reported in line Q423 & both guided Q124 flat to slightly down. SMIC calls FY24 growth ~+5% YoY. Fierce competition, GM pressure,...

William Keating

What Is TSMC Telling Us About Semi Supply Chain Stories at Its Investor Conference?

What Is TSMC Telling Us About Semi Supply Chain Stories at Its Investor Conference? TSMC revises down 2024 global semi y/y sales from over 10% to...

Andrew Lu

SMIC (981.HK): The GM Reaches a New Low of 9-11% in 1Q24F, Despite Revenue Growing by 2% QoQ.

SMIC's 1Q24F outlook predicts a slight revenue increase but a large decrease in GM. SMIC expects a double U-shaped recovery in 2024F, with growth...

Patrick Liao

SMIC (SEHK: 00981; SSE Star Market: 688981): Back to Reality

3Q results should not have been a negative surprise. Sales and profits down sharply on low capacity utilization, intro of 7nm, high depreciation...

Scott Foster

SMIC (981.HK): Probably A Double U-Shape Correction for Around 2 Years Until the End of 2024F.

Based on the some judgments, SMIC consider it will be relatively flat demand in 2024F. SMIC took into consideration geopolitical instability and...

Patrick Liao

China Semi Foundry: Fierce Competition & Sluggish Rebound In Year Of The Dragon

SMIC & Hua Hong reported in line Q423 & both guided Q124 flat to slightly down. SMIC calls FY24 growth ~+5% YoY. Fierce competition, GM pressure,...

William Keating

What Is TSMC Telling Us About Semi Supply Chain Stories at Its Investor Conference?

What Is TSMC Telling Us About Semi Supply Chain Stories at Its Investor Conference? TSMC revises down 2024 global semi y/y sales from over 10% to...

Andrew Lu

SMIC (981.HK): The GM Reaches a New Low of 9-11% in 1Q24F, Despite Revenue Growing by 2% QoQ.

​SMIC's 1Q24F outlook predicts a slight revenue increase but a large decrease in GM. SMIC expects a double U-shaped recovery in 2024F, with growth...

Patrick Liao

SMIC (SEHK: 00981; SSE Star Market: 688981): Back to Reality

3Q results should not have been a negative surprise. Sales and profits down sharply on low capacity utilization, intro of 7nm, high depreciation...

Scott Foster

SMIC (981.HK): Probably A Double U-Shape Correction for Around 2 Years Until the End of 2024F.

Based on the some judgments, SMIC consider it will be relatively flat demand in 2024F. SMIC took into consideration geopolitical instability and...

Patrick Liao

SMIC's 1Q24F outlook predicts a slight revenue increase but a large decrease in GM. SMIC expects a double U-shaped recovery in 2024F, with growth...