Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Regarding global silicon wafer market prices, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/globalwafers-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17916:1" rel="noopener">Globalwafers (6488 TT)</a> noted that the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for 12-inch wafers primarily focuses on advanced process nodes, with prices remaining stable.</li>
<li>In December 2024, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/globalwafers-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17916:1" rel="noopener">Globalwafers (6488 TT)</a> signed a final agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, expecting to receive a maximum subsidy of USD$406mn.  </li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/globalwafers-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17916:1" rel="noopener">Globalwafers (6488 TT)</a> has not received any notifications regarding adjustments to chip policies.</li>
</ul>


Regarding global silicon wafer market prices, Globalwafers (6488 TT) noted that the Long-Term Agreement (LTA) for 12-inch wafers primarily focuses on advanced process nodes, with prices remaining stable.
In December 2024, Globalwafers (6488 TT) signed a final agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, expecting to receive a maximum subsidy of USD$406mn.  

Globalwafers (6488 TT) has not received any notifications regarding adjustments to chip policies.


GlobalWafers (6488.TT): An Uncertainty Exists Whether Si Wafer Is Included in US Custom Tax or Not.

<ul>
<li>In general, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/globalwafers-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17916:1" rel="noopener">Globalwafers (6488 TT)'</a> 3Q24 revenue, GM, OPM, and prepayment are hitting a recent low in 2024.</li>
<li>GlobalWafers stated that the semiconductor industry is generally recovering for AI, but we do not think that AI can represent the entire semiconductor industry.  </li>
<li>Demand for advanced sub-3nm nodes and AI technologies is expected to increase, which will drive fab utilization.</li>
</ul>


In general, Globalwafers (6488 TT)' 3Q24 revenue, GM, OPM, and prepayment are hitting a recent low in 2024.
GlobalWafers stated that the semiconductor industry is generally recovering for AI, but we do not think that AI can represent the entire semiconductor industry.  
Demand for advanced sub-3nm nodes and AI technologies is expected to increase, which will drive fab utilization.


GlobalWafers (6488.TT): The Recovery Expectation Has Been Delayed from 2H24 to 2025.

<ul>
<li>The sales in January 2024 were the lowest during the period of 2022-2024, indicating a likely downtrend for the first quarter of 2024.</li>
<li>Demand is expected to be flat or slightly increase in 2Q24F for GlobalWafers, which is encouraging.</li>
<li>The market for 12" raw wafers is expected to have a more stable demand-supply balance, while raw wafers of 8” and smaller sizes could experience reduced demand in 1H24F.</li>
</ul>


The sales in January 2024 were the lowest during the period of 2022-2024, indicating a likely downtrend for the first quarter of 2024.
Demand is expected to be flat or slightly increase in 2Q24F for GlobalWafers, which is encouraging.
The market for 12" raw wafers is expected to have a more stable demand-supply balance, while raw wafers of 8” and smaller sizes could experience reduced demand in 1H24F.


GlobalWafers (6488.TT): 1Q24F Is a Down Quarter; Anticipating a Much Better Growth Rate in 2025F.

<ul>
<li>The sales of Jan 2024F were the lowest during 2022-2024F, indicating a likely downtrend for 1Q24F.</li>
<li>Demand is expected to remain sluggish in 2Q24F, potentially resulting in decreased raw wafer demand for Logic and Memory in 2Q24F.</li>
<li>The market for 12" raw wafers is expected to have a more stable demand-supply balance, while raw wafers of 8” and smaller sizes could experience reduced demand in 1H24F.</li>
</ul>


The sales of Jan 2024F were the lowest during 2022-2024F, indicating a likely downtrend for 1Q24F.
Demand is expected to remain sluggish in 2Q24F, potentially resulting in decreased raw wafer demand for Logic and Memory in 2Q24F.
The market for 12" raw wafers is expected to have a more stable demand-supply balance, while raw wafers of 8” and smaller sizes could experience reduced demand in 1H24F.


Globalwafers (6488.TT): The Revenue Is Expected to Improve in 2H24F

<ul>
<li>The 2Q24 revenue was NT$15.3bn, 1.6% QoQ and -14.4% YoY. GM in 2Q24 was 32.3%, -5.8% QQ and -14.3% YoY. OPM in 2Q24 was 22.0%, -16.3% QoQ and -24.1% YoY.</li>
<li>The widespread adoption of AI-driven electronic devices, along with the onset of the AI-powered device replacement cycle, is likely driving increased demand for peripheral ICs and sensors. </li>
<li>With inventory levels gradually depleting and downstream customers ramping up production capacity in 2025, the semiconductor industry is expected to recover in 2H24 and maintain an optimistic outlook for 2025.</li>
</ul>


The 2Q24 revenue was NT$15.3bn, 1.6% QoQ and -14.4% YoY. GM in 2Q24 was 32.3%, -5.8% QQ and -14.3% YoY. OPM in 2Q24 was 22.0%, -16.3% QoQ and -24.1% YoY.
The widespread adoption of AI-driven electronic devices, along with the onset of the AI-powered device replacement cycle, is likely driving increased demand for peripheral ICs and sensors. 
With inventory levels gradually depleting and downstream customers ramping up production capacity in 2025, the semiconductor industry is expected to recover in 2H24 and maintain an optimistic outlook for 2025.


GlobalWafers (6488.TT): Semi Industry Expected to Recover in 2H24, Holding an Bright Outlook in 2025

Taiwan

Globalwafers Co., Ltd. specializes in silicon wafer manufacturing and also provides solar wafers and crystal rods. The Company possesses a complete production line from ingot growth, slicing, etching, diffusion, polishing to epitaxy. Their products include Epi wafers, polished wafers, etched wafers, ultra thin wafers and deep diffusion wafers.

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Globalwafers (6488 TT)