Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

<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 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

<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>1Q24 revenue and GM are in line, but operating income at 24.3% was 1% below consensus.</li>
<li>GlobalWafers anticipates revenue in 2024 will likely be similar to 2023, which means 1H24 revenue could account for 45% of the 2024 yearly revenue.</li>
<li>The planned dividend payout for 2024 is NT$19.0, with NT$8.0 from 1H23 and NT$11 from 2H23. </li>
</ul>


1Q24 revenue and GM are in line, but operating income at 24.3% was 1% below consensus.
GlobalWafers anticipates revenue in 2024 will likely be similar to 2023, which means 1H24 revenue could account for 45% of the 2024 yearly revenue.
The planned dividend payout for 2024 is NT$19.0, with NT$8.0 from 1H23 and NT$11 from 2H23. 


GlobalWafers (6488.TT): Demand Was Weaker in 1H24F, and We Hope It Will Be Better in 2H24F.

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)