SINOLINK SECURITIES·2026-02-13 14:24Investment Rating - The industry is rated as "Buy" with expectations of an increase exceeding 15% in the next 3-6 months [57]. Core Insights - The report emphasizes that upstream materials are a key inflationary component in the PCB upgrade iteration process, with three main conclusions: the number of PCBs is increasing, the value of PCBs per cabinet/GPU is rising, and upstream materials are undergoing continuous upgrades [2][8]. - The market is focusing on materials that are close to "ultimate" technology or "upgrade" directions, indicating a potential profit release in 2026 [3][18]. - The report highlights the significant price inflation in electronic fabrics, particularly Low-CTE and Q fabrics, driven by supply constraints and increasing demand from high-end applications [4][15][24]. Summary by Sections Upstream Materials - The report identifies that the PCB board count is increasing, and the corresponding value per cabinet/GPU is also on the rise, particularly with the introduction of new PCB designs like the Vera Rubin NVL144 CPX [2][8]. - Continuous upgrades in PCB upstream materials are necessary to meet the higher demands for transmission speed and signal integrity from AI applications [11][12]. - Upstream materials are prone to inflation, with significant price differences observed in various generations of electronic fabrics [15][18]. Electronic Fabrics - The report predicts a continued price increase for Low-CTE fabrics in 2026 due to supply shortages and rising demand from high-end applications [4][36]. - The second-generation Low-Dk fabrics are expected to face a clear supply-demand gap in 2026, driven by the large-scale deployment of Google's TPU V7 and above [36][37]. - Q fabrics are highlighted for their superior performance and scarcity, with a gradual increase in production expected in 2027 [26][34]. Copper Foil - The report notes a clear upgrade trend in HVLP copper foil, with significant price increase potential due to rising demand from AI applications and planned expansions by leading manufacturers [5][41]. - The market for carrier copper foil is identified as a second growth pole, with a current global market size of approximately 5 billion, primarily dominated by Japanese companies [49][50]. Resins - The report discusses the importance of resin types, particularly carbon-hydrogen resins, in high-frequency and high-speed applications, with domestic companies accelerating production to meet demand [51][54].