Tag: Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY)

Investing Amidst the $100B China Chip War

Posted on by The INO.com Team

In a move set to reshape the global semiconductor landscape, China's ambitious $100 billion investment spree into its semiconductor industry is poised to disrupt Western chipmakers’ foothold in the lucrative Chinese market.

According to a recent report by the European Commission highlighted by Bloomberg, concerns are mounting over the potential erosion of market share for companies like NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI), Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY), and ASML Holding N.V. (ASML). These firms, pivotal players in microcontroller technology essential for automobiles, industrial applications, and consumer electronics, face intensifying competition from burgeoning Chinese counterparts.

The European Commission's report underscores that China's strategic maneuvers, including non-tariff barriers and local content requirements, could favor domestic microcontroller manufacturers. This advantage is particularly potent in China's burgeoning electric vehicle market, posing challenges for European and Japanese chip suppliers.

Moreover, China's aggressive investment surge follows heightened geopolitical tensions, including U.S. sanctions limiting Chinese access to high-end chips. Despite these restrictions, China has reportedly found alternative routes to procure U.S. technology, underscoring its determination to achieve semiconductor independence. As China makes aggressive investments in semiconductor fabrication plants and encourages local procurement of key semiconductor components, the ripple effects are felt globally.

Investors navigating this evolving landscape should consider diversifying across sectors and exploring resilient segments within tech. Despite China's semiconductor ambitions and geopolitical tensions, investing in solid companies like Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) and Intel Corporation (INTC) could provide stability and growth potential.

Let’s look at the fundamentals of the abovementioned stocks in detail:

Stocks to Buy:

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)

Prominent chip giant AMD offers x86 microprocessors, graphics processing units (GPUs), and innovative solutions across Data Center, Client, Gaming, and Embedded segments. AMD also develops embedded processors, semi-custom system-on-chip (SoC) products, and advanced technologies like field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) and adaptive SoCs.

In the first quarter that ended March 30, 2024. AMD’s net revenue increased 2.2% year-over-year to $5.47 billion. Both its Data Center and Client segments experienced substantial growth, each exceeding 80% year-over-year, fueled by the uptake of MI300 AI accelerators and the popularity of Ryzen and EPYC processors.

Moreover, the company’s non-GAAP operating income grew 3.2% from the year-ago value to $1.13 billion. Its non-GAAP net income and earnings per share rose 4.4% and 3.3% from the prior-year quarter to $1.01 billion and $0.62, respectively.

Street expects AMD’s revenue for the second quarter (ended June 2024) to increase 6.7% year-over-year to $5.72 billion. Its EPS for the to-be-reported quarter is projected to reach $0.68, registering a 17.2% year-over-year growth. Moreover, the company surpassed the consensus revenue estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.

Intel Corporation (INTC)

INTC designs manufactures, and markets a wide range of computing products globally, including CPUs, GPUs, memory, and connectivity solutions. Known for its microprocessors, Intel powers PCs, servers, and emerging technologies across cloud, network, and edge computing platforms. It operates through segments including Client Computing Group, Data Center and AI, Network and Edge, Mobileye, and Intel Foundry Services.

The company delivered robust performance in the first quarter of 2024 (ended March 30), driven by solid innovation across its client, edge, and data center portfolios. Total Intel Products generated $11.90 billion in revenue, resulting in a 17% year-over-year increase. Revenue from the Client Computing Group (CCG) rose 31% year-over-year.

INTC’s net revenue increased 8.6% year-over-year to $12.72 billion, while its Data Center and AI (DCAI) division’s sales rose 5% to $3.04 billion. Also, the company reported a non-GAAP operating income of $723 million, compared to an operating loss of $294 million in the prior year’s quarter. Further, its non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $759 million and $0.18 versus a net loss and loss per share of $169 million and $0.04, respectively, in the same quarter last year.

Analysts expect INTC’s revenue for the second quarter (ended June 2024) to increase marginally year-over-year to $13.02 billion. However, the consensus EPS estimate of $0.10 for the same period indicates a 19.5% year-over-year decline. Nevertheless, the company has an impressive surprise history, beating the consensus revenue estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.

Stocks to Sell:

NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NXPI)

NXPI, based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, specializes in a diverse range of semiconductor products. Its portfolio features microcontrollers, communication processors, analog and interface devices, radio frequency power amplifiers, security controllers, and semiconductor-based environmental and inertial sensors.

For the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, NXPI’s total revenue declined 8.6% sequentially to $3.13 billion. The company’s non-GAAP operating income fell 11.4% from the last quarter to $1.08 billion. Also, NXPI’s non-GAAP net income attributable to stockholders came in at $840 million and $3.24 per common share, down 13% and 12.7% from the preceding quarter, respectively.

Street expects NXPI’s revenue and EPS for the second quarter (ended June 2024) to decrease 5.2% and 6.5% year-over-year to $3.13 billion and $3.21, respectively. This downward trajectory is forecasted to persist throughout fiscal year 2024, with revenue and EPS expected to decrease by 1.5% and 0.3%, respectively.

Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY)

Headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany, IFNNY is a global semiconductor leader specializing in power systems and IoT. The company drives decarbonization and digitalization with its innovative semiconductor solutions across four key segments: Automotive, Green Industrial Power, Power & Sensor Systems, and Connected Secure Systems.

During the fiscal second quarter that ended March 31, 2024, IFNNY’s revenue decreased 11.8% year-over-year to €3.63 billion ($3.94 billion), while gross profit fell by 26.9% from the year-ago value to €1.40 billion ($1.52 billion). The company’s operating profit stood at €496 million ($538.38 million), down 53.8% year-over-year.

In addition, adjusted profit for the period from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of IFNNY and adjusted EPS amounted to €551 million ($598.08 million) and €0.42, respectively, reflecting a 38.8% and 39.1% decrease from the prior-year quarter.

For the quarter ended June 2024, IFNNY’s EPS is expected to decrease 39.8% year-over-year to $0.45. Its revenue for the same quarter is expected to fall 8.2% from the prior year to $4.11 billion. Analysts project a further 7.5% decline in revenue and a 30.8% decrease in EPS for fiscal year 2024.

ASML Holding N.V. (ASML)

Based in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, ASML manufactures essential semiconductor equipment for global chipmakers. It focuses on lithography, metrology, and inspection systems, including advanced solutions like extreme ultraviolet and deep ultraviolet lithography. These technologies support semiconductor production across diverse technological ranges.

ASML’s total net sales for the first quarter that ended March 31, 2024, decreased 21.6% year-over-year to €5.29 billion ($5.74 billion). Its income from operations fell 36.9% from the year-ago value to €1.39 billion ($1.51 billion), while its net income declined 37.4% from the prior year’s quarter to €1.22 billion ($1.33 billion). In addition, the company’s net income per ordinary share stood at €3.11, down 37.2% year-over-year.

Analysts expect ASML’s revenue and EPS for the second quarter (ended June 2024) to decline by 15.6% and 27.7% year-over-year to $6.53 billion and $3.99, respectively. Likewise, the company’s EPS for the fiscal year 2024 is expected to decline 4.5% from the previous year to $20.67.

 

TSM’s Demand Woes May Benefit 3 Chip Stocks

Posted on by The INO.com Team

Semiconductor sales reached their highest level last year despite witnessing a slowdown during the year's second half. The slowdown was primarily due to the decline in demand from the end-user markets because of macroeconomic headwinds.

According to Gartner, global semiconductor revenues will decline 11.2% in 2023. Popular chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM) is also witnessing a slowdown in demand. According to sources, the company, to control costs, has asked its major suppliers to delay the delivery of chipmaking equipment.

Although the long-term growth prospects of the semiconductor industry look bright, the near-term headwinds will continue to put pressure on the chip industry in the short term. Gartner’s Practice VP Richard Gordon said, “As economic headwinds persist, weak end-market electronics demand is spreading from consumers to businesses, creating an uncertain investment environment.”

“In addition, an oversupply of chips, which is elevating inventories and reducing chip prices, is accelerating the decline of the semiconductor market this year,” he added. In July, TSM, a major supplier to smartphone giant Apple Inc. (AAPL), forecasted that it would witness a 10% drop in sales in 2023, and its investment spending would be at the lower end of its estimate of $32 billion and $36 billion.

TSM CEO C.C. Wei highlighted that the decline in demand would be mostly due to a tepid recovery in China, soft demand in the end market, and a weak global economic scenario. Although the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips is likely to remain strong, it is unlikely to offset the softer demand in the end markets due to declining sales of smartphones, personal computers, laptops, etc.

Degroof Petercam’s analyst Michael Roeg said, “There has been a lot of excitement about artificial intelligence and the implications for the semiconductor industry. However, the strength in demand for AI chips is not strong enough to compensate (for) what is happening in other segments.”

After global demand for consumer electronics spiked during the pandemic, companies had stockpiled chips to meet the high demand. However, as the demand slowed down in the end markets due to high inflation, companies were stuck with excess inventories, and this led to a fall in the demand for chips, followed by a decline in their prices.

TSM’s CFO Wendell Huang said, “Moving into the third quarter 2023, we expect our business to be supported by the strong ramp of our 3-nanomenter technologies, partially offset by customers’ continued inventory adjustment.”

AAPL, a major TSM customer, announced its latest iPhone series with the cutting-edge 3-nanometer chip but did not raise prices, indicating softness in the smartphone market. AAPL is currently facing trouble in a key market like China as the Chinese government banned some government employees from using iPhones at work.

Furthermore, smartphone maker Huawei came up with the Mate 60 series, which utilizes an advanced chip made by Chinese chipmaker SMIC. All these factors might put pressure on iPhone sales this year, piling further pressure on TSM.

Moreover, TSM is facing delays at its Arizona plant. The company was forced to push back production at the plant by a year to 2025 as it faced difficulty recruiting workers and pushback from unions due to its efforts to bring workers from Taiwan. After investing heavily in expanding its capacity, the company is looking at a slower increase in capital expenditure in the coming years.

As TSM’s headwinds are expected to continue, fundamentally stable chip stocks Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY), STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM), and ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (IMOS) might benefit.

Let’s discuss these stocks in detail.

Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY)

Headquartered in Neubiberg, Germany, IFNNY designs, develops, manufactures, and markets semiconductors and related system solutions worldwide.

On August 3, 2023, IFNNY announced its decision to expand its Kulim fab over and above the original investment announced in February 2022. The company will build the world’s largest 200-millimeter SiC (silicon carbide) Power Fab. The expansion is backed by new design wins in automotive and industrial applications for about five billion euros and about one billion euros in pre-payments.

The company will additionally invest up to €5 billion in Kulim during the second construction phase for Module Three. The investment will lead to an annual SiC revenue potential of about €7 billion by the end of the decade, together with the planned 200-millimeter SiC conversion of Villach and Kulim.

IFNNY’s CEO Jochen Hanebeck said, “The market for silicon carbide shows accelerating growth, not only in automotive but also in a broad range of industrial applications such as solar, energy storage, and high-power EV charging. With the Kulim expansion, we will secure our leadership position in this market.”

IFNNY’s revenue grew at a CAGR of 26.1% over the past three years. Its EBITDA grew at a CAGR of 45.7% over the past three years. In addition, its EPS grew at a CAGR of 96% in the same time frame.

In terms of trailing-12-month net income margin, IFNNY’s 19.13% is 840.7% higher than the 2.03% industry average. Likewise, its 35.32% trailing-12-month EBITDA margin is 285.9% higher than the industry average of 9.15%. Furthermore, the stock’s trailing-12-month Capex/Sales came in at 15.52%, compared to the industry average of 2.42%.

For the third quarter ended June 30, 2023, IFNNY’s revenue increased 13% year-over-year to €4.09 billion ($4.37 billion). Its adjusted gross margin came in at 46.2%, compared to 45.4% in the prior-year quarter. The company’s profit for the period rose 60.7% year-over-year to €831 million ($887.97 million). Also, its adjusted EPS came in at €0.68, representing an increase of 38.8% year-over-year.

Analysts expect IFNNY’s revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, to increase 2% year-over-year to $4.37 billion. It surpassed the consensus EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.

STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM)

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, STM designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through the Automotive and Discrete Group, Analog, MEMS, and Sensors Group; and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group segments.

STM’s revenue grew at a CAGR of 21.6% over the past three years. Its EBIT grew at a CAGR of 65.7% over the past three years. In addition, its net income grew at a CAGR of 69.5% in the same time frame.

In terms of trailing-12-month net income margin, STM’s 27.45% is significantly higher than the 2.03% industry average. Likewise, its 29.78% trailing-12-month EBIT margin is 559.7% higher than the industry average of 4.51%. Furthermore, the stock’s trailing-12-month asset turnover ratio came in at 0.88x, compared to the industry average of 0.62x.

STM’s net revenues for the second quarter ended July 1, 2023, increased 12.7% year-over-year to $4.33 billion. Its net cash from operating activities rose 24.1% year-over-year to $1.31 billion. The company’s net income rose 15.5% year-over-year to $1 billion. Also, its EPS came in at $1.06, representing an increase of 15.2% year-over-year.

Street expects STM’s revenue for the quarter ending September 30, 2023, to increase 1.7% year-over-year to $4.38 billion. Its EPS for fiscal 2023 is expected to increase 3.3% year-over-year to $4.33. It surpassed the Street EPS estimates in three of the trailing four quarters.

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (IMOS)

Headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, IMOS researches, develops, manufactures, and sells high-integration and high-precision integrated circuits and related assembly and testing services. It operates through Testing, Assembly, Testing, and Assembly for LCD, OLED, and Other Display Panel Driver Semiconductors, Bumping; and Others segments.

IMOS’s total assets grew at a CAGR of 8.7% over the past three years. Its Tang Book Value grew at a CAGR of 6.8% over the past three years. In addition, its revenue grew at a CAGR of 2.9% over the past five years.

In terms of trailing-12-month net income margin, IMOS’ 8.63% is 324.4% higher than the 2.03% industry average. Likewise, its 29.37% trailing-12-month EBITDA margin is 220.9% higher than the industry average of 9.15%. Furthermore, the stock’s trailing-12-month Capex/Sales is 15.32%, higher than the industry average of 2.42%.

For the fiscal second quarter ended June 30, 2023, IMOS’ revenue came in at NT$5.44 billion ($169.84 million). Its net non-operating income came in at NT$222.40 million ($6.94 million. The company’s net profit attributable to equity holders of the company came in at NT$628.50 million ($19.62 million). Also, its EPS came in at NT$0.86.

For the quarter ending September 30, 2023, IMOS’ revenue is expected to increase 6.9% year-over-year to $176.86 million.