Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

Nicolas Baratte has been a financial analyst since 2000, covering the Technology sector in Asia mostly, and Global Tech in a couple of jobs. Nicolas has worked on the sell-side for JPMorgan, CLSA and Macquarie. On the buy-side for a Tiger fund and Prudential. Nicolas has covered Asian semiconductors, Asian hardware and components, and the global Semi supply chain. In addition to stock coverage, he also publishes research on sectors as that often shows clearer trends and pinpoints the inflection points in a sharper way. Nicolas lives mostly in Taiwan, sometimes in France and is in New York regularly.

Semiconductor Memory Q324 Revenue Close To Historic Highs Even As Decoupling Intensifies

TSMC, UMC, Global Semi Monthly Sales: Small Acceleration

2025 High Conviction: AI Chip Spend Slows

SK Hynix (000660-KR): Positive Technical Analysis Signals

SK Hynix (000660 KS Oct 17, 2024) - HBM Effect Expected once More

SAMSUNG: Less About Preliminary Results, More About the Tech Missteps. Samsung Pain Is HYNIX’s Gain

Initial Thoughts on the Kioxia IPO - Impact on SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>3Q results inline at Revenue and Operating levels. Net Income 13% above Consensus. SK Hynix doesn’t provide guidance but “indications”, pointing to KRW 20bn revenues in 4Q, close to consensus.</li>
<li>HBM capacity for 2025 is already sold out. Accelerating launch cadence: HBM3e 12Hi in 4Q24, HBM4 in 2H25. This should create a wider gap with competitors Micron and Samsung.</li>
<li>The stock is very cheap and very compelling, trading at 5.3x 2025 EPS and 1.6x book value for 30% ROE. Very cheap considering HBM visibility and leadership. </li>
</ul>


3Q results inline at Revenue and Operating levels. Net Income 13% above Consensus. SK Hynix doesn’t provide guidance but “indications”, pointing to KRW 20bn revenues in 4Q, close to consensus.
HBM capacity for 2025 is already sold out. Accelerating launch cadence: HBM3e 12Hi in 4Q24, HBM4 in 2H25. This should create a wider gap with competitors Micron and Samsung.
The stock is very cheap and very compelling, trading at 5.3x 2025 EPS and 1.6x book value for 30% ROE. Very cheap considering HBM visibility and leadership. 


SK Hynix 3Q24 Inline, 4Q Close to Consensus, HBM Visibility Is Very High, the Stock Is Very Cheap