TEL(US:TOELY) 日经中文网·2025-09-11 03:09Core Viewpoint - The valuation of semiconductor equipment manufacturers is changing due to advancements in manufacturing technology and the rise of generative AI, leading to increased investment in companies like Advantest, which has recently surpassed Tokyo Electron in market capitalization for the first time in 20 years [2][4]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Advantest's market capitalization exceeded 10 trillion yen for the first time, reaching approximately 10.0556 trillion yen, surpassing Tokyo Electron's 9.975 trillion yen [4]. - The shift in focus from "front-end" to "back-end" processes in semiconductor manufacturing is influencing investor preferences, with Advantest benefiting from this trend [6]. - The demand for testing equipment is increasing as semiconductor manufacturing becomes more complex, making yield improvement crucial for manufacturers [7]. Group 2: Company Performance - Advantest's stock price has surged, increasing 2.7 times from the end of 2023, while Tokyo Electron has faced challenges, including a significant 18% downward revision of its net profit forecast for fiscal year 2025 [8]. - Advantest has captured a 58% market share in the testing equipment market, while Tokyo Electron's market share in other segments is only 20-30% [8]. - Concerns over Tokyo Electron's relationship with TSMC due to a former employee's alleged misconduct have added pressure to its stock price [8]. Group 3: Future Outlook - Analysts believe Advantest's stock price advantage will continue, with a projected price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of around 43, which is considered reasonable given the expected expansion of the AI market [9]. - Comparatively, global leaders like ASML and Applied Materials have significantly higher market capitalizations, indicating that Advantest must continue to enhance its performance to close the gap [9].