瑞银展望-解码中国AI：投资者视角下的五大关键问题

Investment Rating - The report indicates a positive outlook for the data center industry in China, highlighting the potential for valuation improvement despite current uncertainties in chip supply [1][2]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that the valuation of Chinese data centers is significantly discounted due to uncertainties in chip supply, but this has already been reflected in current valuations. The rental outlook for data centers is better than other asset classes, suggesting potential for future valuation increases [1][2]. - The report notes that the EV/EBITDA multiple is commonly used for evaluating data centers due to their capital-intensive nature and high leverage, which allows for a better reflection of operational cash flow [3][4]. - It highlights the differences in market performance and development cycles between Chinese and overseas data center companies, with Chinese companies experiencing higher EBITDA growth from 2018 to 2021, but facing a supply surplus cycle from 2021 to mid-2024 [5]. - The report discusses the contrasting layouts of data centers in the US and China, with the US facing power supply challenges due to concentrated deployments, while China is preparing for AI demand through its "East Data West Computing" initiative [6]. - The development of REITs in China is seen as beneficial for the data center industry, providing liquidity and stable rental returns for investors [7][9]. Summary by Sections Data Center Valuation - Chinese data centers are undervalued compared to global peers due to chip supply uncertainties, but strong infrastructure support is expected to enhance their valuation as asset quality improves [2]. - The rental outlook for data center REITs is optimistic, with current valuations lower than other asset classes, indicating room for growth as investor awareness increases [9]. Market Dynamics - The report outlines that the rental market for data centers is expected to stabilize, with slight downward pressure in the short term but a long-term upward trend anticipated as AI demand grows [19]. - It also notes that large tech companies are likely to build their own data centers when demand is stable, but will opt for leasing in rapidly changing environments [20]. AI and Cloud Computing - Short-term monetization of AI is primarily seen in cloud computing and advertising, with significant growth in demand for cloud services driven by large models and generative AI [15]. - Long-term potential for AI commercialization is highlighted, with various sectors expected to benefit from AI integration, particularly in content generation and recruitment [16][18]. Competitive Landscape - The report indicates that the competitive landscape for data centers in China is evolving, with a stable supply-demand relationship expected post-2024, leading to a more favorable rental environment [19]. - It also discusses the ongoing efforts of Chinese tech companies to enhance GPU utilization and explore domestic solutions to mitigate chip supply uncertainties [23].