北方华创（002371）：平台化半导体设备龙头，受益于下游资本开支扩张、国产化率提升

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1] Core Views - The company is positioned as a leading platform semiconductor equipment provider, benefiting from downstream capital expenditure expansion and increasing domestic substitution rates [1] - The semiconductor equipment market in China is expected to continue growing, with significant opportunities for domestic manufacturers due to tightening overseas restrictions [1][13] - The company is expected to see substantial revenue growth, with total revenue projected to reach 60.41 billion yuan by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.5% from 2018 to 2024 [1][19] Summary by Sections 1. Advanced Logic & Storage Acceleration - The report highlights the acceleration of capital expenditures in domestic wafer fabs, with a focus on advanced logic and storage sectors [9] - Domestic wafer fabs are expected to increase their capital expenditures significantly, with SMIC's utilization rate reaching 95.8% by Q3 2025 [23][24] - The report anticipates that the domestic market for NAND and DRAM will see increased production capacity, with investments totaling 155-180 billion USD [26] 2. R&D Investment and Order Growth - The company is increasing its R&D investments and has seen a continuous rise in new orders, aiming for a revenue target of 100 billion yuan [9][19] - The company is expected to maintain a high level of R&D spending, with projected annual costs exceeding 1 billion yuan [19] - The growth in orders and revenue is supported by a robust pipeline of contracts and inventory levels [9][19] 3. Product Line Expansion - The company is expanding its product lines through both internal development and acquisitions, solidifying its position as a leader in the semiconductor equipment sector [9] - The report notes that the company has a strong market presence in etching and deposition equipment, with significant market shares in these segments [9] - The company is also diversifying into new categories such as ion implantation and electroplating equipment, enhancing its competitive edge [9] 4. Profit Forecast and Valuation - The company's net profit is projected to grow significantly, with estimates of 5.84 billion yuan in 2025 and 10.23 billion yuan in 2027, reflecting a strong growth trajectory [1] - The current price-to-earnings ratio is expected to decrease from 85.3 in 2023 to 32.5 by 2027, indicating an attractive valuation as growth continues [1]