Equity Long-Short, Semiconductors, Fabricated Knowledge

Douglas O'Laughlin

Equity Long-Short, Semiconductors

Fabricated Knowledge

Learn more about the world's most important manufactured product. Meaningful insight, timely analysis, and an occasional investment idea.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>ACM Research is a bit of an oddball stock. It’s a US listing of a Chinese company, with 82% ownership of the Chinese subsidiary.</li><li>The US listing is the parent company and has been in the crossfire of US-China trade tensions for years.</li><li>It is probably the best Chinese Semicap company and has real orders with multinational companies, notably SK Hynix.</li></ul>

ACM Research is a bit of an oddball stock. It’s a US listing of a Chinese company, with 82% ownership of the Chinese subsidiary.The US listing is the parent company and has been in the crossfire of US-China trade tensions for years.It is probably the best Chinese Semicap company and has real orders with multinational companies, notably SK Hynix.

China/Asia TMT

Shawn Yang

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>We expect ACMR to report C4Q22 top-line, non-IFRS operating profit, and IFRS net income in-line, 21% and 96% vs. consensus, respectively. </li>
<li>New SPE import limits provide ACMR with a multi category quasi-monopoly. Thus, we raise our FY23 market share estimate for ECD/wafer clean/furnace to 51%/32%/2% from prior 25%/25%/0%.</li>
<li>ACMR’s quasi-monopoly position in multiple categories sustain its long-run growth, which underlines a 58% TP increase to US$ 30 and continued status as our top hardware pick.</li>
</ul>


We expect ACMR to report C4Q22 top-line, non-IFRS operating profit, and IFRS net income in-line, 21% and 96% vs. consensus, respectively. 
New SPE import limits provide ACMR with a multi category quasi-monopoly. Thus, we raise our FY23 market share estimate for ECD/wafer clean/furnace to 51%/32%/2% from prior 25%/25%/0%.
ACMR’s quasi-monopoly position in multiple categories sustain its long-run growth, which underlines a 58% TP increase to US$ 30 and continued status as our top hardware pick.


[ACM Research Inc. (ACMR US, BUY, TP US$30) TP Change]: At the Foothill of a Multi-Category Monopoly

<ul>
<li>ACMR reported C1Q23 top-line, GAAP EBIT and non-IFRS net profit (2.8%), 42% and 35% vs. our est., and in-line, and positive vs. negative, respectively. </li>
<li>We estimate ACMR’s China wafer clean/ECD share was 11%/45%~ in 1Q23, +4/28ppts YoY, while guidance implies 45%/50%~ in 4Q23, respectively; </li>
<li>We maintain BUY and US$ 30 TP, implying 2.0x FY24 EV/Sales</li>
</ul>


ACMR reported C1Q23 top-line, GAAP EBIT and non-IFRS net profit (2.8%), 42% and 35% vs. our est., and in-line, and positive vs. negative, respectively. 
We estimate ACMR’s China wafer clean/ECD share was 11%/45%~ in 1Q23, +4/28ppts YoY, while guidance implies 45%/50%~ in 4Q23, respectively; 
We maintain BUY and US$ 30 TP, implying 2.0x FY24 EV/Sales


[ACM Research (ACMR US)]: Preferred Local Tool Supplier Beginning Global Ascent

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The PCAOB has not, despite a cooperation agreement with the CSRC signed in 2013, been able to conduct on-site investigations of a HK or mainland-based company since 2010.</li>
<li>On Friday, the CSRC published a new Strengthening Confidentiality and File Management Related to Overseas Issuance to replace 2009 rules. </li>
<li>Importantly, the revised Provisions deletes the stipulation that “on-site inspections shall be dominated by domestic regulators or depend on the conclusions of inspections by domestic regulators.” Will it be enough?</li>
</ul>


The PCAOB has not, despite a cooperation agreement with the CSRC signed in 2013, been able to conduct on-site investigations of a HK or mainland-based company since 2010.
On Friday, the CSRC published a new Strengthening Confidentiality and File Management Related to Overseas Issuance to replace 2009 rules. 
Importantly, the revised Provisions deletes the stipulation that “on-site inspections shall be dominated by domestic regulators or depend on the conclusions of inspections by domestic regulators.” Will it be enough?


New CSRC "Provisions" Take a Step Towards Meeting PCAOB Requirements

Blue Lotus China New Economy Research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Eric Wen

Blue Lotus China New Economy Research

<ul>
<li>ACMR reported C3Q23 revenue, non-GAAP EBIT, GAAP net profit (5%), 21%, in-line vs. our est., and (3%), 63%, 49% vs. cons., respectively. Gross margin beat by +9ppts due to FX.</li>
<li>ACMR received a second order from a U.S. semiconductor maker, which indicates potential for significant market share gain by 2025. SK Hynix is engaging its entire product line, per management.</li>
<li>We maintain BUY rating and US$ 30 TP, implying 18x FY23 EV/Earnings.</li>
</ul>


ACMR reported C3Q23 revenue, non-GAAP EBIT, GAAP net profit (5%), 21%, in-line vs. our est., and (3%), 63%, 49% vs. cons., respectively. Gross margin beat by +9ppts due to FX.
ACMR received a second order from a U.S. semiconductor maker, which indicates potential for significant market share gain by 2025. SK Hynix is engaging its entire product line, per management.
We maintain BUY rating and US$ 30 TP, implying 18x FY23 EV/Earnings.


[ACM Research (ACMR US, BUY, TP US$30) Earnings Review]: Korea and US Are the Next Battlefields

United States

ACM Research, Inc. develops wet processing technology. The Company produces equipment for a range of applications in integrated circuits and wafer level packaging, as well as offers coating, developer, wet stripping, scrubber, and plating systems. ACM Research serves customers worldwide.

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ACM Research (ACMR US)

Chinese Semiconductor Beneficiary

The EV wave is big for Chinese lagging edge. One of the largest beneficiaries is bullish. ACM Research is a bit of an oddball stock. It’s a US...

Fabricated Knowledge

[ACM Research Inc. (ACMR US, BUY, TP US$30) TP Change]: At the Foothill of a Multi-Category Monopoly

ACMR’s quasi-monopoly position in multiple categories sustain its long-run growth, which underlines a 58% TP increase to US$ 30 and continued...

Blue Lotus Research Institute