Cambricon(SH:688256) First Shanghai Securities·2025-10-20 11:13Investment Rating - The report maintains a strong positive outlook on the AI application-driven demand for computing power, indicating a high growth trajectory for the industry [3]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that the domestic computing power capacity bottleneck is expected to be broken through, with a significant increase in domestic chip production anticipated by 2026 [3][5]. - The acceleration of commercialization by overseas AI giants like OpenAI is driving widespread adoption of AI applications, sustaining high demand for computing hardware [3]. - The ongoing U.S.-China tensions are not expected to alter the positive trend in the AI industry, but rather increase the urgency for domestic computing power adoption [5]. Summary by Sections Domestic Computing Power Industry - Cambricon (688256) reported a Q3 2025 revenue of 1.73 billion, a year-on-year increase of 1332.5%, and a net profit of 570 million, marking a turnaround from losses [4]. - The first three quarters of 2025 saw a revenue of 4.61 billion, up 2386.4%, with a net profit of 1.61 billion, also a turnaround from losses [4]. - Inventory levels increased to 3.73 billion in Q3 2025, indicating that supply chain disruptions may have been resolved, suggesting a potential for performance growth as the industry adapts [4]. U.S.-China Tensions - The Nexperia incident highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions, with the Dutch government restricting operations of Nexperia due to economic security concerns, leading to Chinese government countermeasures [5]. - This situation underscores the competitive dynamics in the global market, emphasizing the need for domestic computing power solutions [5]. Demand Side Dynamics - Major Chinese internet companies like ByteDance and Alibaba exhibit a "real demand" for computing power, driven by the need for intelligent computing to support business operations and the rise of generative AI applications [6]. - The report suggests focusing on key players in the domestic computing hardware supply chain, including Cambricon and SMIC (981.HK), as well as Huahong Semiconductor (1347.HK) for investment opportunities [6]. Communication Capabilities - The demand for ASICs from companies like Google, Meta, and AWS is expected to drive an increase in optical module demand, with anticipated shipments of 1.6T optical modules exceeding 10 million units in 2026 [8]. - The report predicts that the optical communication industry will continue to thrive in the AI era, with leading firms benefiting from technological innovations [8]. Edge AI Opportunities - Meta's recent announcements regarding AI smart glasses and OpenAI's plans for AI hardware indicate a growing market for edge AI devices [9]. - The report highlights investment opportunities in companies involved in edge storage chips and hardware collaborations within the Apple supply chain [9]. Investment Recommendations - The report recommends buying shares in Cambricon (688256), SMIC (0981.HK), and Huahong Semiconductor (1347.HK) among others in the domestic computing power sector [12]. - It also suggests investment in companies like Zhaoyi Innovation (603986) and Baiwei Storage (688525) in the domestic storage sector, as well as various overseas CSP/ASIC supply chain companies [12].