Investment Rating - The report rates the industry as "Outperform" [3] Core Insights - The data center industry has become a core incremental application scenario for the power equipment sector, directly driving demand growth and technological iteration in power equipment [3][7] - The report emphasizes the need to incorporate multi-dimensional indicators from the AI industry to accurately gauge the demand for power distribution equipment in data centers, given the capital expenditure scale and long investment return cycles in the data center sector [3][7] - The demand side is driven by capital expenditures from leading cloud providers, which serve as a direct "barometer" for short-term demand potential for power distribution equipment [3][8] Summary by Sections Demand Side - Capital expenditures from overseas cloud providers reached $99.617 billion in Q3 2025, a year-on-year increase of 80.39% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 9.54% [4][9] - Domestic capital expenditures from Alibaba and Tencent showed a slowdown, with Alibaba's expenditure at 31.501 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 80.10% but a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 18.55% [4][14] - The report highlights that the investment rhythm of data centers is constrained by GPU supply, necessitating tracking of key supply chain data to validate demand progress [3][7] Supply Chain - Nvidia's revenue reached 362.571 billion yuan in Q3 2025, marking a historical peak with a quarter-on-quarter growth of 24.63% and a year-on-year growth of 62.49% [4][18] - TSMC reported revenue of 343.614 billion New Taiwan dollars in November 2025, a year-on-year increase of 24.5% [4][24] - The CPU price index rose to 98.20 in October 2025, while DRAM spot prices surged over 200% from $12.85 to $38.76 within two months, indicating strong server demand [4][27] Application Side - The report notes a steady increase in the number of AI models and application deployments, which directly influence the capital expenditure cycle of data centers [4][29] - The OpenRouter platform recorded a token call volume of 5.78 trillion from December 2 to December 8, 2025, reflecting a week-on-week decrease of 6.62% [4][37] - The prices for tokens of models scoring over 40 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index dropped by over 50% in Q3 2025 [4][47]

Core Insights - Google is significantly increasing its orders for Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) from MediaTek, with the order volume exceeding initial plans by multiple times [2] - MediaTek's first TPU, the v7e, is set to enter risk trial production by the end of next season, and it has also secured orders for the next-generation TPU, v8e [2][3] - The collaboration with TSMC is expected to boost MediaTek's production capacity for Google projects, with a projected sevenfold increase in CoWoS capacity by 2027 [2][3] Group 1 - The demand for Google TPUs is driven by strong client needs, leading to an increase in CoWoS capacity from 10,000 to 20,000 units annually for the v7e project [3] - MediaTek's ASIC business is anticipated to contribute significantly to its revenue, with estimates suggesting that the v7e could add over two times its equity in profits by 2027 [2][3] - MediaTek's CEO expressed confidence in the growth of ASIC revenue, targeting $1 billion in cloud-related ASIC revenue by 2026 and potentially reaching several billion by 2027 [4] Group 2 - Meta is exploring a partnership with Google to utilize TPUs for its AI projects, which could challenge NVIDIA's market dominance [6][7] - If successful, Meta plans to start renting TPUs from Google Cloud in 2026 and deploy them in its data centers by 2027, marking a significant shift in its AI infrastructure [6][7] - The potential collaboration has led to a drop in NVIDIA's stock price, reflecting investor concerns about Meta's future chip orders [7] Group 3 - Analysts predict that Google plans to double its TPU production by 2028, with TSMC expected to produce 3.2 million TPUs in 2024, increasing to 5 million by 2027 and 7 million by 2028 [10] - Morgan Stanley estimates that Google could generate up to $13 billion in revenue for every 500,000 TPUs sold to external clients [9] - Google's vertical integration strategy aims to enhance its technological advantages and profitability by developing its AI hardware and software [8][11]

Ex-U.S. equities have performed well for investors this year. Many investors and advisors entered 2025 looking to move from underweight to neutral or even overweight foreign equities positions. The decline of the dollar and certain market events, also, contributed to strong performance for those foreign equities relative to U.S. investments. Those segments continue to appeal even as the year draws to a close. Investors can get a better sense of the potential of one subcategory, emerging markets equities, th ...

Key Points ASML is the leading semiconductor equipment company with 90% market share. TSMC manufactures the most advanced AI processors in the world and possesses competitive advantages that could last for decades. Both stocks are great to own, but Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing is slightly cheaper. 10 stocks we like better than Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing › There are many good artificial intelligence (AI) stocks available to invest in right now, but it can be difficult to know which ...

Core Viewpoint - The article presents a list of 12 stocks that are recommended for investment during the countdown to the new year, highlighting their long-term growth potential and current market conditions. Group 1: Recommended Stocks - **Apple**: Expected to achieve an 11% gain for the year, with a strong brand and growing AI integration across products, which may drive future revenue growth [5][6]. - **Costco**: Trading at 43x forward earnings estimates, down from over 58x, with a strong business model and high membership renewal rates above 90% in the U.S. and Canada [7][9]. - **Carnival**: The world's largest cruise operator has returned to profitability and is paying down debt, trading at only 11x forward earnings estimates [11][12]. - **Intuitive Surgical**: A leader in robotic surgery with a strong moat due to high costs of its systems and recurrent revenue from instruments and accessories [13][15]. - **Vertex Pharmaceuticals**: Leading in cystic fibrosis treatment with strong revenue and growth potential in new treatment areas [16][18]. - **Coca-Cola**: Strong brand and distribution network with a history of dividend increases for over 50 consecutive years, making it a solid choice for passive income [19][20]. - **Pool Corp.**: The largest supplier of pool equipment, trading at 22x forward earnings estimates, with consistent demand for maintenance services [21][22]. - **Amazon**: A leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, benefiting from AI growth, with AWS reporting a $132 billion annual revenue run rate [24][25]. - **Target**: Facing challenges but may recover in 2026, trading at 13x forward earnings estimates, presenting a potential buying opportunity [27][28]. - **CRISPR Therapeutics**: Recently approved a blood disorder treatment, with expected significant growth in the coming year [29][30]. - **Broadcom**: A networking giant emerging as a potential AI chip winner, with high demand for custom chips [31][32]. - **Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing**: A key player in chip production for AI, benefiting from multiple clients and significant investments in U.S. manufacturing [33][34].

At the end of the year, predictions for the following year are often published. The Seeking Alpha 2025 Market Prediction Contest , in which I participated last year, is also comingMy primary area of concentration will be on identifying companies of exceptional caliber, with a proven ability to reinvest capital for impressive returns. The ideal scenario is for these companies to demonstrate a long-term capability of capital compounding, with a high enough compound annual growth rate to potentially deliver te ...

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive investment rating for the semiconductor industry, highlighting four core investment themes for 2026: AI-driven structural growth, China's semiconductor self-sufficiency trend, high-yield defensive positioning, and industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions [2][4]. Core Insights - The global semiconductor market is projected to grow by 26% year-on-year in 2026, reaching $975 billion, with AI-related segments leading this growth [4][48]. - Key recommended stocks include Zhongji Xuchuang (300308 CH), with a target price of RMB 707, and Shengyi Technology (600183 CH), with a target price of RMB 90, both expected to benefit significantly from AI infrastructure investments [3][5]. Summary by Themes Theme 1: AI-Driven Structural Growth - The AI supply chain is experiencing strong revenue growth and profit margin expansion, indicating a robust demand for infrastructure rather than a temporary investment craze [5]. - Capital expenditure from major cloud providers is expected to reach $367 billion in 2025, a 59% increase year-on-year, and further rise to $495 billion in 2026 [5][6]. - The demand for AI technology is expanding beyond large cloud service providers to include sovereign funds and enterprise clients [5][10]. Theme 2: China's Semiconductor Self-Sufficiency Trend - The self-sufficiency of the semiconductor supply chain in China is identified as a core theme with long-term growth potential, driven by geopolitical shifts and domestic policy support [3][38]. - Companies like Northern Huachuang (002371 CH) are positioned to benefit from this trend, with a target price of RMB 460 [39]. Theme 3: High-Yield Defensive Positioning - Major Chinese telecom operators are recommended as core defensive positions due to their strong balance sheets and attractive dividend yields, with China Mobile offering a yield of 6.0% [43][44]. Theme 4: Accelerating M&A Activity in the Semiconductor Industry - The report anticipates an acceleration in M&A activities within the semiconductor sector, with key players actively seeking to fill technology gaps and enhance supply chain resilience [46][47]. - Notable transactions in 2025 include Northern Huachuang's acquisition of Xinyuan Micro and other strategic consolidations aimed at strengthening market positions [47].

Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor industry is developing a new type of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) called SPHBM4, which aims to reduce design complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining performance similar to existing HBM products. This development could significantly impact companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, as well as the broader ecosystem including TSMC and NVIDIA [3][6]. Group 1: SPHBM4 Development - JEDEC is in the final stages of developing the SPHBM4 standard, which utilizes the same DRAM as HBM4 but serializes I/O pins at a 4:1 ratio, reducing the number of I/O pins from 1024 to 512 while still supporting the same bandwidth [3][4]. - The SPHBM4 standard is expected to be released in the coming months, according to Eliyan, a U.S. semiconductor startup that supports the new standard [4][5]. Group 2: Technical Aspects - SPHBM4's performance relies on stable interconnect technology that can achieve over four times the transmission speed per I/O pin, which is crucial for its operation [4]. - The introduction of SPHBM4 will necessitate a redesign of the substrate chip responsible for memory controller functions, as the I/O pin count will be significantly reduced [5]. Group 3: Packaging and Cost Implications - The intermediary layer, which connects HBM and the printed circuit board (PCB), can simplify connections due to the reduced number of I/O pins, allowing for the use of organic intermediary layers instead of more expensive silicon layers [5]. - The adoption of organic intermediary layers is expected to lower packaging manufacturing costs while allowing for more flexible designs, potentially increasing overall storage capacity [5]. Group 4: Market Uncertainty - The commercialization of SPHBM4 remains uncertain, as the standard is still under development and may undergo changes or even be rejected by the JEDEC board [6]. - Major tech companies are currently focused on enhancing both the speed and density of HBM, indicating that SPHBM4 may be one of several attempts to reduce manufacturing costs for AI accelerators based on HBM technology [6].

Core Viewpoint - TSMC's investment plans in the U.S. have become increasingly complex, with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo stating that TSMC's previous commitments are insufficient, now requiring a minimum investment of $200 billion and the creation of 30,000 jobs [1][4]. Group 1: Investment and Financial Implications - The starting point of this negotiation was the CHIPS Act signed during the Biden administration, which provided TSMC with $6 billion in subsidies, but only resulted in an initial investment of approximately $60 billion for factory construction, which Raimondo deemed inadequate [4]. - TSMC has since raised its planned investment to $165 billion, but U.S. expectations have now increased to $200 billion, which is a reduced target from earlier internal expectations exceeding $300 billion [4]. - TSMC's U.S. subsidiary reported a significant drop in profits, with earnings of only NT$41 million in Q3 2025, down 99% from NT$4.223 billion in Q2, reflecting the financial pressures and challenges faced in the U.S. market [6]. Group 2: Technological and Operational Challenges - TSMC is facing multiple challenges in the U.S., including high costs, talent shortages, and cultural conflicts, which have directly impacted its financial performance [5]. - The advanced process and packaging technologies, previously considered core assets, are gradually being transferred to the U.S., with TSMC's Arizona facility already producing 4nm chips and plans for 3nm and 2nm processes in the future [4].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Recommendation" rating for the semiconductor and semiconductor production equipment industry [7]. Core Insights - The semiconductor industry is experiencing fluctuations in various indices, with the overseas AI chip index dropping by 4.4% and the domestic AI chip index decreasing by 0.6% during the week of December 8-14, 2025. Notably, companies like Marvell and Broadcom saw significant declines in their stock prices [1][10]. - TSMC is projected to be the leading foundry for advanced process smartphone SoCs in 2025, with an expected shipment growth of 27%, capturing over 75% of the market share [2][27]. - The demand for ASICs is expected to surge, leading to a threefold increase in HBM shipments for Samsung in 2026, with an estimated total of 11.1 billion Gb, representing a 212% increase from 2025 [3][33]. Market Indices Summary - The overseas AI chip index fell by 4.4%, with significant declines in stocks of Marvell and Broadcom [1][10]. - The domestic AI chip index decreased by 0.6%, with notable gains from companies like Aojie Technology and Ruixin Micro [1][10]. - The server ODM index dropped by 3.5%, with Supermicro and Wiwynn experiencing the largest declines [1][10]. - The storage chip index increased by 6.3%, with Shannon Semiconductor and Jiangbo Long showing gains of over 11% [1][10]. - The power semiconductor index rose by 1.6%, indicating a relatively stable market [1][10]. Industry Data Summary - In Q3 2025, iPad shipments grew by 4% year-on-year, with high-end models playing a crucial role in this growth [2][24]. - TSMC is expected to dominate the advanced process smartphone SoC market in 2025, with a shipment increase of 27% [2][27]. Major Events Summary - Samsung is advancing its second-generation 2nm process for AMD, which could enhance its competitiveness against TSMC [3][31]. - TSMC's CoWoS advanced packaging capacity is projected to reach 125,000 units per month by the end of 2026, reflecting a year-on-year increase of over 70% [3][31]. - The HBM market is anticipated to grow significantly, with total market size expected to reach approximately $35 billion in 2025 [3][31]. - Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone in 2026, potentially capturing over 22% of the global foldable phone market share in its first year [3][34].