Jin Rong Jie·2026-01-08 01:45Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor equipment sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by the AI era and domestic production capabilities, with notable companies reaching historical highs and substantial investment forecasts for the coming years [1][4][5]. Group 1: Market Performance - The Shanghai Composite Index has achieved a rare 14 consecutive days of gains, with domestic semiconductor equipment manufacturers like North Huachuang, Zhongwei Company, Tuojing Technology, and Changchuan Technology hitting historical highs [1]. - The semiconductor equipment ETF (561980) has also reached new highs in both scale and net value, with a remarkable increase of over 15% in just three trading days [1]. Group 2: Industry Drivers - The strength of the semiconductor equipment sector is attributed to its role as the "golden shovel" in the AI era, essential for the manufacturing of AI chips in wafer fabs [3][4]. - A significant supply-demand imbalance in the memory chip market is expected, with DDR4 16Gb prices projected to rise by as much as 1800% in 2025, benefiting not only memory manufacturers but also upstream equipment suppliers [4]. Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Major domestic memory manufacturers like Yangtze Memory Technologies and Changxin Memory Technologies are initiating large-scale expansion plans, which could drive semiconductor equipment orders exceeding 10 billion [4]. - Predictions indicate that the combined investment in new capacity by these two memory giants could reach between $15.5 billion and $18 billion by 2026, providing a strong order growth and profit accumulation for companies like North Huachuang and Zhongwei Company [4]. Group 4: Domestic Production and Growth Potential - The domestic semiconductor equipment sector is accelerating its self-sufficiency, with projections suggesting that the overall domestic production rate could rise to 22% by 2025, indicating significant room for replacement and clear growth pathways [5]. - The increasing domestic production rate will enable continuous breakthroughs in advanced logic processes, leading to sustained expansion of wafer fabs and consistent equipment procurement [7]. Group 5: ETF Performance and Composition - The semiconductor equipment ETF (561980) has a high concentration of nearly 80% in its top ten holdings, primarily consisting of leading domestic equipment manufacturers, making it a strong performer in its category [7]. - The ETF's composition, with nearly 60% in equipment content, positions it as a robust investment option, particularly for those seeking high elasticity and alpha in their portfolios [7].