Group 1 - The PCB sector has achieved significant excess returns driven by AI demand and technological upgrades from major companies like Nvidia, Amazon, and Google, with a year-to-date increase of 150%, leading the electronic sub-sector [3][22] - In 2026, AI demand for PCB is expected to continue growing rapidly, with supply tightness persisting, particularly in high-end HDI and multilayer boards, as well as in domestic high-end substrate breakthroughs [3][6] - The overall PCB market is projected to grow from $849 billion in 2025 to between $940 billion and $980 billion in 2026, reflecting a robust growth trajectory [6][12] Group 2 - The PCB industry is currently in an expansion phase, with strong downstream AI computing demand, despite anticipated weakness in mobile and automotive sectors in 2026 [5][12] - Inventory levels in Taiwan and mainland China have shown an upward trend, indicating increased stocking by downstream manufacturers due to strong AI demand [5][6] - The overall capacity utilization rate for PCB manufacturers in the second half of 2025 is between 93% and 97%, with optimistic order visibility extending beyond three months for leading manufacturers [6][12] Group 3 - The demand for high-end HDI and multilayer boards is rapidly increasing, with supply constraints and accelerated capacity expansion expected to benefit manufacturers with advanced technology [7][12] - The AI-driven trend is pushing for upgrades in PCB specifications, particularly in consumer electronics and automotive sectors, with a focus on innovations from companies like Apple and OpenAI [8][12] - The market for high-speed CCL is anticipated to grow significantly, with projections of around $8 billion in 2026 and a CAGR of 40% from 2024 to 2027 [9][12] Group 4 - The upstream materials for CCL, including copper foil, resin, and fiberglass cloth, are experiencing significant upgrades and supply tightness, driven by AI demand [10][12] - The equipment sector is expected to benefit from the expansion of PCB production, with high demand for advanced equipment driving rapid growth for domestic manufacturers [11][12] - The overall investment strategy for 2026 suggests focusing on sectors like computing boards, CCL, upstream materials, and domestic equipment manufacturers, as the AI-driven innovation cycle is expected to last longer and create broader market demand [12][12]
【招商电子】PCB 行业2026年投资策略:AI算力依旧是主旋律,把握产业链技术迭代和供求缺口