Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

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

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC)

<ul>
<li>SMIC's 1Q25 guidance is for revenue to increase by 6% to 8% QoQ, and the gross margin to range from 19% to 21%.   </li>
<li>Client revenue contribution from China/Europe/US has changed from 80.8%/15.7%/3.5% in 4Q23 to 89.1%/8.9%/2% in 4Q24. These numbers indicate that SMIC is gradually becoming independent from Europe and the US. </li>
<li>SMIC's guidance for the year 2025 is that revenue growth is expected to be higher than the industry average in the same markets.</li>
</ul>


SMIC's 1Q25 guidance is for revenue to increase by 6% to 8% QoQ, and the gross margin to range from 19% to 21%.   
Client revenue contribution from China/Europe/US has changed from 80.8%/15.7%/3.5% in 4Q23 to 89.1%/8.9%/2% in 4Q24. These numbers indicate that SMIC is gradually becoming independent from Europe and the US. 
SMIC's guidance for the year 2025 is that revenue growth is expected to be higher than the industry average in the same markets.


SMIC (981.HK): Revenue Growth Decelerated in 4Q24, and Growth Momentum to Be Regained in 1Q25.

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

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Global semiconductor sales reached a all time record high of $627.6 billion in 2024, an increase of 19.1% YoY, details here:</li>
<li>As anticipated, semi sales eased off in December 2024, reaching $57.0 billion, a decrease of 1.2% MoM but still up 17% YoY.</li>
<li>WSTS is forecasting 11.2% growth in 2025. Based on the planned ~40% increase in Mag7 CapEx, we think this is too low and needs to be revised upward to &gt;15% </li>
</ul>


Global semiconductor sales reached a all time record high of $627.6 billion in 2024, an increase of 19.1% YoY, details here:
As anticipated, semi sales eased off in December 2024, reaching $57.0 billion, a decrease of 1.2% MoM but still up 17% YoY.
WSTS is forecasting 11.2% growth in 2025. Based on the planned ~40% increase in Mag7 CapEx, we think this is too low and needs to be revised upward to &gt;15% 


Global Semiconductor Sales Hit Record High Of $627.6 Billion in 2024. Where To Now?

Tracking developments across tech supply chains, Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tracking developments across tech supply chains

<ul><li>ASML CEO suggests Trump's tariffs could give US tech industry an advantage, potentially benefiting India's tech sector as well.</li><li>Tongfu begins trial assembly of HBM2, signaling potential growth in India's tech industry in response to changing tariff policies.</li><li>India lowers tariffs in response to Trump's tariff policy, indicating a willingness to adapt and potentially increase trade opportunities.</li></ul>

ASML CEO suggests Trump's tariffs could give US tech industry an advantage, potentially benefiting India's tech sector as well.Tongfu begins trial assembly of HBM2, signaling potential growth in India's tech industry in response to changing tariff policies.India lowers tariffs in response to Trump's tariff policy, indicating a willingness to adapt and potentially increase trade opportunities.

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (11-Feb-2025): Can Trump's tariffs benefit India's tech?

Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Zero One

Founded in 2015, Zero One produces independent investment research and provides corporate finance advisory services with a focus on both listed and private technology companies. Founder Vincent Fernando has over 20 years of experience in US and Asia capital markets.

Independent Investment Research

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR

<ul>
<li>OpenAI Joins the AI Chip Race -- Partnering with TSMC and Broadcom to Reduce Nvidia Reliance</li>
<li>TSMC January Revenue Rises 35.9% -- But Reduces 1Q25E Expectations Due to Quake Impact</li>
<li>Hon Hai Guides for 1Q25E Growth to Be Above Average and 'Strong'</li>
</ul>


OpenAI Joins the AI Chip Race -- Partnering with TSMC and Broadcom to Reduce Nvidia Reliance
TSMC January Revenue Rises 35.9% -- But Reduces 1Q25E Expectations Due to Quake Impact
Hon Hai Guides for 1Q25E Growth to Be Above Average and 'Strong'


Taiwan Tech Weekly: OpenAI Developing Alternative to Nvidia with TSMC; Hon Hai Guides Strong 1Q25E

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

<ul>
<li>Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)'s shares were up 3.5% (55,600 won) while KOSPI was down 0.3% today. We believe there were two major reasons for this.</li>
<li>First, there was a recent meeting among Lee Jae Yong (Samsung Electronics), Masayoshi Son (Softbank), and Sam Altman (Open AI) regarding a potential alliance regarding the new <strong>Stargate Project.</strong>
</li>
<li>Second, there has been increased speculation regarding additional <strong>total shareholder returns</strong> measures by Samsung Electronics that could be announced in the coming weeks. </li>
</ul>


Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)'s shares were up 3.5% (55,600 won) while KOSPI was down 0.3% today. We believe there were two major reasons for this.
First, there was a recent meeting among Lee Jae Yong (Samsung Electronics), Masayoshi Son (Softbank), and Sam Altman (Open AI) regarding a potential alliance regarding the new Stargate Project.

Second, there has been increased speculation regarding additional total shareholder returns measures by Samsung Electronics that could be announced in the coming weeks. 


Samsung Electronics - Positive Impact from the Potential Involvement in the Stargate Project

Taiwan

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. manufactures integrated circuits based on its proprietary designs.  The Company offers a comprehensive set of integrated circuit fabrication processes to manufacture CMOS logic, mixed-mode, volatile and non-volatile memory and BiCMOS chips.  Taiwan Semiconductor is an affiliate of Philips Electronics N.V.

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR (TSM US)

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TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR (TSM US)

SMIC (981.HK): Revenue Growth Decelerated in 4Q24, and Growth Momentum to Be Regained in 1Q25.

SMIC expects revenue growth in 1Q25, shifting focus to China and reducing reliance on Europe and the US, aiming for above-average growth in 2025.

Patrick Liao

Global Semiconductor Sales Hit Record High Of $627.6 Billion in 2024. Where To Now?

WSTS is forecasting 11.2% growth in 2025. Based on the planned ~40% increase in Mag7 CapEx, we think this is too low and needs to be revised upward...

William Keating

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (11-Feb-2025): Can Trump's tariffs benefit India's tech?

ASML CEO believes US tariffs could benefit India's tech industry, Tongfu begins HBM2 trial as India reduces tariffs in response to Trump's policy.

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Taiwan Tech Weekly: OpenAI Developing Alternative to Nvidia with TSMC; Hon Hai Guides Strong 1Q25E

OpenAI partners with TSMC and Broadcom to reduce reliance on Nvidia in AI chip race, while Hon Hai expects above average and 'strong' growth in...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Samsung Electronics - Positive Impact from the Potential Involvement in the Stargate Project

Samsung Electronics' shares rise as potential alliance for Stargate Project and increased shareholder returns speculation boost investor confidence.

Douglas Kim

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SMIC (981.HK): Revenue Growth Decelerated in 4Q24, and Growth Momentum to Be Regained in 1Q25.

​SMIC expects revenue growth in 1Q25, shifting focus to China and reducing reliance on Europe and the US, aiming for above-average growth in 2025.

Patrick Liao

Global Semiconductor Sales Hit Record High Of $627.6 Billion in 2024. Where To Now?

WSTS is forecasting 11.2% growth in 2025. Based on the planned ~40% increase in Mag7 CapEx, we think this is too low and needs to be revised upward...

William Keating

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (11-Feb-2025): Can Trump's tariffs benefit India's tech?

ASML CEO believes US tariffs could benefit India's tech industry, Tongfu begins HBM2 trial as India reduces tariffs in response to Trump's policy.

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Taiwan Tech Weekly: OpenAI Developing Alternative to Nvidia with TSMC; Hon Hai Guides Strong 1Q25E

​OpenAI partners with TSMC and Broadcom to reduce reliance on Nvidia in AI chip race, while Hon Hai expects above average and 'strong' growth in...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Samsung Electronics - Positive Impact from the Potential Involvement in the Stargate Project

​Samsung Electronics' shares rise as potential alliance for Stargate Project and increased shareholder returns speculation boost investor confidence.

Douglas Kim

SMIC expects revenue growth in 1Q25, shifting focus to China and reducing reliance on Europe and the US, aiming for above-average growth in 2025.

OpenAI partners with TSMC and Broadcom to reduce reliance on Nvidia in AI chip race, while Hon Hai expects above average and 'strong' growth in...

Samsung Electronics' shares rise as potential alliance for Stargate Project and increased shareholder returns speculation boost investor confidence.