SMIC(HK:00981) INDUSTRIAL SECURITIES·2025-02-23 02:16Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company, with a target price reflecting a potential upside of over 15% compared to the relevant market index [6]. Core Views - The company is expected to benefit from a stable growth in its 12-inch wafer business, with quarterly revenue surpassing $2 billion for the first time. The revenue for Q4 2024 is projected at $2.207 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 31.5% [3][4]. - The gross margin for Q4 2024 is anticipated to exceed guidance, reaching 22.6%, which is higher than the expected range of 18%-20% [3][4]. - The company is optimistic about the impact of national subsidy policies starting January 2025, which are expected to stimulate demand for consumer electronics, particularly smartphones [3][4]. Financial Summary - Revenue Projections: The total revenue is expected to grow from $6.322 billion in 2023 to $11.589 billion by 2026, with year-on-year growth rates of -13%, 27%, 21%, and 20% respectively [3][4]. - Net Profit: The net profit attributable to shareholders is projected to decline from $903 million in 2023 to $493 million in 2024, before recovering to $1.027 billion by 2026 [3][4]. - Gross Margin: The gross margin is expected to fluctuate, with estimates of 19.26% in 2023, 18.03% in 2024, and improving to 20.96% by 2026 [3][4]. - Earnings Per Share (EPS): EPS is projected to be $0.11 in 2023, dropping to $0.06 in 2024, and then increasing to $0.13 by 2026 [3][4]. Operational Insights - The company’s 8-inch wafer monthly production is expected to reach 948,000 units in Q4 2024, with a capacity utilization rate of 85.5% [3][4]. - The average selling price (ASP) for products is projected to increase by 6% quarter-on-quarter in Q4 2024, although a decline in ASP is anticipated in the second half of 2025 due to increased market supply [3][4]. - Capital expenditures are expected to remain stable in 2025, with depreciation expenses projected to increase by approximately 20% [3][4].