Market Overview - The market has shown volatility, with significant declines in major indices and stocks over the past two weeks, including a drop of over 13% in the Ample Hang Seng Technology Index and over 14% in the Hang Seng Biotechnology Index [1] - Notable declines in individual stocks include Tencent, which fell nearly 80 yuan, and SMIC, which dropped over 26% [1] - Despite a rise in gold prices by over $150, gold stocks like Zijin Mining and Shandong Gold experienced weekly declines [1] Financial Data Insights - As of the end of September, M2 growth was at 8.4% and M1 growth at 7.2%, indicating enhanced liquidity and economic activity [2] - PMI has been below 50 for six consecutive months, suggesting weak production expansion intentions among enterprises [2] - A significant increase in household deposits by 760 billion yuan in September indicates a shift towards saving rather than investing in the stock market [2] Corporate Developments - In the U.S. market, AI-related developments dominated headlines, with OpenAI partnering with Broadcom for AI chips and Apple launching the M5 chip [5] - Oracle Cloud plans to deploy 50,000 AMD chips, and Nvidia announced a $40 billion acquisition of Aligned, marking significant corporate activity in the AI sector [5] - Major investment banks reported substantial increases in fee income, with Goldman Sachs seeing a 42% rise, driven by a surge in merger and acquisition activity [5] IPO and New Listings - Recent IPOs in Hong Kong showed strong initial performance, with companies like Zhida Technology and Xuanzhu Biotechnology seeing significant gains in their dark pool trading [6] - However, some listings faced challenges, such as delays and underperformance, indicating a mixed sentiment in the IPO market [6] Historical Context and Investment Strategy - Historical analysis of the Persian Wars highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in both warfare and investment, emphasizing the need for calculated risks and emotional balance [9][10] - The current market environment suggests that maintaining a balanced investment approach, with a reserve of cash for opportunities, is prudent [11][12]

Group 1: Macro and Strategy - The September fiscal data shows a marginal recovery in general public budget revenue, with a year-on-year growth of 2.6%, up from 2% in the previous period, driven mainly by VAT and a significant increase in stamp duty revenue [9][10] - Government fund budget revenue turned positive in September, with a year-on-year growth of 5.6%, while expenditure growth slowed to 0.4%, indicating a potential for fiscal policy to support economic recovery [10][11] - The central government announced a new policy of 500 billion yuan in financial tools and 500 billion yuan in local debt limits to stimulate the economy, which is expected to have a positive impact in the fourth quarter [11] Group 2: Industry and Company Insights - The modern investment banking sector is evolving, with a focus on cross-border asset management, particularly in Hong Kong, which has a substantial asset management scale of 35.14 trillion HKD [18][19] - The telecommunications industry is experiencing rapid advancements in satellite internet deployment, with 116 satellites launched to date, enhancing communication capabilities [22][23] - The lithium battery industry is witnessing a significant price increase in lithium hexafluorophosphate, which has risen over 50% since mid-July, driven by tight supply and increasing demand [35]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The technology sector has shown mixed performance, with significant declines in various indices, particularly in the Chinese market, while the Nasdaq index experienced a slight increase [3][21] - The AI industry continues to evolve rapidly, with notable advancements in model capabilities and applications, particularly in both domestic and overseas markets [4][5][31][32] Summary by Sections Market Review - From October 13 to October 17, 2025, the Shanghai Composite Index decreased by 1.47%, the ChiNext Index fell by 5.71%, and the CSI 300 Index dropped by 2.22%. The Hang Seng Tech Index saw a decline of 7.98%, while the Nasdaq Index increased by 2.14% [3][21]. AI Developments - Domestic AI advancements include the release of the Doubao model series by Huoshan Engine, which has seen a daily token usage surpassing 30 trillion, marking an over 80% increase since May 2025 [4][5][32]. - OpenAI's Sora 2 updates allow users to generate longer videos, enhancing user engagement and content creation capabilities [31]. - Google's Gemini 3.0 Pro successfully replicated the macOS interface, showcasing the model's advanced capabilities [31]. Semiconductor Industry - TSMC reported a third-quarter revenue of approximately NT$989.92 billion, a year-on-year increase of 30.3%, with a net profit of NT$452.3 billion, up 39.1% [6][33]. - Broadcom announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to develop a custom 10GW AI chip, expected to be deployed in late 2026 [6][34]. Smart Driving - The Ministry of Transport in China emphasized the importance of AI in smart transportation, promoting the development of intelligent connected vehicles and autonomous driving technologies [8][34]. E-commerce and Local Life - Meituan's Keeta is set to launch operations in Brazil, with initial cities including Santos and São Vicente, indicating a strategic expansion into international markets [8]. - Alibaba's Tmall introduced six AI shopping applications aimed at enhancing consumer experience and operational efficiency for merchants, resulting in significant improvements in traffic matching efficiency [9]. Entertainment and Gaming - The domestic film market saw a significant drop in box office revenue, highlighting a post-holiday slump [11]. - The new PlayStation game "Ghost of Yōtei" achieved over 1.8 million sales within five days of its release, indicating strong market demand [14].

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is "Overweight" (maintained) [1] Core Viewpoints - The report highlights that despite short-term pressures, the long-term fundamentals remain strong, particularly in high-growth sectors such as PCB, AI chips, and storage [7] - The report emphasizes the ongoing demand for storage products, indicating a potential multi-year bull market driven by strong procurement from cloud service providers [6] - The AI infrastructure is expanding globally, with significant investments in AI chips and data centers, confirming a 40% CAGR for computing chips over the next five years [5] Market Review - The domestic risk assets experienced a broad decline, with the electronic industry index dropping by 7.1% during the week of October 13-17, 2025, while consumption electronics fell by 9.3% and semiconductors by 6.7% [3][4] - In contrast, overseas assets like the Nasdaq rose by 2.1%, indicating a divergence in performance between domestic and international markets [4] Industry Updates - The consumer electronics sector is seeing a surge in new product launches, with Apple's iPhone Air set to be released soon, and global smartphone sales showing signs of recovery [5] - The storage market is experiencing a shortage, with prices for Flash Wafer increasing significantly, driven by strong demand [6] - Major companies like OpenAI and Google are making substantial investments in AI infrastructure, further solidifying the industry's growth trajectory [5][6] Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on core beneficiaries in high-growth areas, including companies like SMIC, Hua Hong Semiconductor, and Cambricon [7]

Group 1: Oracle's Financial Performance - Oracle's revenue for Q1 FY2026 increased by 12% to $14.9 billion, with cloud computing revenue growing by 28% to $7.2 billion [1] - The company signed contracts worth billions with three clients in the first quarter, and the remaining performance obligation (RPO) may exceed $500 billion [1] - Following the earnings report, Oracle's stock surged by nearly 36%, marking the largest single-day increase in its history, adding $244 billion to its market capitalization [1] Group 2: AI Market Dynamics - Concerns are rising among investors and entrepreneurs about a potential AI bubble, which could become a global economic risk [2] - OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman acknowledged some areas of AI may be experiencing bubble-like conditions, while asserting that OpenAI itself is making genuine progress [4][5] - The intertwining relationships among major tech companies, including OpenAI, NVIDIA, and AMD, are creating complex financial arrangements that may distort true demand [5][6] Group 3: Semiconductor Industry Insights - TSMC reported better-than-expected earnings and raised its revenue growth forecast for 2025 to nearly 35%, indicating strong AI demand [6][7] - TSMC's chairman noted robust demand from AI clients, with a significant increase in processing requirements for large language models [7] Group 4: Historical Context and Future Outlook - The current surge in AI investment is reminiscent of the late 1990s internet bubble, but experts suggest it may not pose a systemic risk [8] - The infrastructure built during the internet bubble laid the groundwork for future technological advancements, similar to the current AI landscape [9] - Companies face a dilemma between expanding production capabilities and managing costs, with potential risks associated with overestimating AI demand [9]

Core Viewpoint - TSMC reported strong financial results for Q3, with revenue of $33.1 billion, a year-over-year increase of 40.8% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 10.1%, driven by cost optimization and improved capacity utilization [2][3] Financial Performance - Revenue in USD reached $33.1 billion, exceeding guidance of $31.8-$33.0 billion, and up from $30.07 billion in Q2 and $23.50 billion in Q3 2024 [3] - Gross margin was 59.5%, surpassing the previous quarter's guidance of 55.5%-57.5% [2][3] - Operating margin stood at 50.6%, exceeding the guidance of 45.5%-47.5% [2][3] - Net income attributable to shareholders was $452.3 million, a 13.6% increase from the previous quarter and a 39.1% increase year-over-year [3] Market Segments - High-Performance Computing (HPC) continues to be a significant revenue driver, increasing its contribution from 51% in the previous year to 57%-60% in recent quarters [2][5] - The smartphone market saw a 19% quarter-over-quarter revenue increase, while the automotive market showed signs of recovery with an 18% increase [9][12] Technology and Pricing - TSMC's 3nm and 5nm processes accounted for 60% of revenue, up from 52% the previous year [5][6] - The company is considering price increases for its 2nm process due to strong AI demand [7][8] Future Outlook - AI demand is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 45% in the next five years, with TSMC working to close the supply-demand gap in advanced packaging [5][7] - The global semiconductor supply chain is moving away from the inventory correction cycle, with a potential for price increases in the future [14]

Core Viewpoint - TSMC reported strong financial results for Q3, with significant revenue growth driven by high demand in the HPC sector and advanced process technologies, despite some challenges from currency fluctuations and overseas operations [1][5]. Financial Performance - TSMC achieved Q3 revenue of $33.1 billion, a year-on-year increase of 40.8% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 10.1% [2]. - Gross margin reached 59.5%, exceeding the previous guidance of 55.5%-57.5% [1][2]. - Operating margin was 50.6%, surpassing the guidance of 45.5%-47.5% [1][2]. - Net income attributable to shareholders was NT$452.3 billion, reflecting a 39.1% year-on-year increase [2]. Market Segments - The HPC segment has become a crucial revenue driver, increasing its contribution from 51% in the previous year to 57%-60% in recent quarters [2][5]. - Revenue from smartphones rose by 19% quarter-on-quarter, while the automotive market showed signs of recovery with an 18% increase [10][13]. Technology and Pricing - TSMC's 3nm and 5nm processes accounted for 60% of total revenue, up from 52% a year ago [5][6]. - The company is considering price increases for its 2nm process technology, expected to be about 20% higher than the 3nm pricing [7][8]. Future Outlook - AI demand is projected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 45% over the next five years, indicating strong future revenue potential for TSMC [5]. - TSMC's overseas operations are expected to dilute gross margins by approximately 1%-2% in the coming years due to capacity expansions [7][14]. - The semiconductor supply chain is moving away from the inventory correction cycle, with some fabs planning to raise prices in response to strong demand [14].

Group 1 - The US regional bank Zions Bancorporation is facing a bad debt crisis, leading to a decline in US stock markets on October 16, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by 301.07 points or 0.65% to close at 45952.24 points [3] - Taiwan's stock market opened down approximately 260 points on October 17, reaching 27384.72 points, influenced by the downturn in US markets [3] - TSMC reported a record net profit of approximately NT$452.3 billion for Q3, with earnings per share of NT$17.44, but its stock fell by NT$35 to a low of around NT$1450 [3] Group 2 - On October 16, the Taiwan stock market closed at 27647.87 points, up 372.16 points or 1.36%, with a total trading value of NT$565.48 billion [3] - Foreign investors were net buyers, purchasing NT$129.59 billion, while the three major institutional investors collectively bought NT$237.71 billion [3] - The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index increased by 32.96 points or 0.49%, closing at 6800.02 points, indicating some resilience in the semiconductor sector despite broader market declines [3]

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street analysts are increasingly optimistic about U.S. corporate profit outlooks, driven by strong performance from major tech companies and AI infrastructure leaders, despite concerns over macroeconomic instability and government shutdowns [1][2][3] Group 1: Market Sentiment and Performance - The ongoing AI investment boom is still in its early stages, with significant productivity and operational efficiency improvements expected from AI applications [2] - The S&P 500 index and global stock indices have seen substantial gains, with the S&P 500 reaching new historical highs since April [6] - Approximately 82% of U.S. companies that have reported earnings exceeded Wall Street expectations, slightly above the long-term average [8] Group 2: Earnings Expectations - Analysts have raised profit expectations for U.S. companies, particularly in the AI and tech sectors, leading to the highest net upward revisions in four years [2][3] - The net earnings revision index (NERI) for the S&P 500 has increased by 0.6 percentage points in October, marking a significant recovery from a low of -7.8% in May [2][3] - The technology sector is projected to grow by 21%, significantly supporting overall earnings data, while five of the eleven sectors are expected to see profit contractions [7][8] Group 3: Future Projections - Analysts predict double-digit earnings growth in the coming quarters, primarily driven by tech giants, supported by economic growth expectations and unprecedented AI infrastructure investments [4][9] - Deutsche Bank analysts have raised their year-end target for the S&P 500 to 7,000 points, with other banks also adjusting their forecasts upward [9] - Long-term projections suggest the S&P 500 could reach 7,750 points by the end of 2026, with potential for even higher valuations if an AI-driven asset bubble occurs [10]

Investment Rating - The investment rating for TSMC is "Buy" [7][11] Core Insights - TSMC is experiencing strong demand for advanced processes, with a resilient gross margin. The company is currently in the early stages of the AI demand cycle [3][11] - The Q3 revenue in USD increased by 40.8% year-on-year to $33.1 billion, driven primarily by strong demand for advanced processes [11] - TSMC's Q4 guidance exceeds expectations, with projected revenue of $32.2 to $33.4 billion and a gross margin of 59% to 61% [11] - The company is optimistic about the AI growth prospects, noting that AI demand is stronger than three months ago [11] Financial Summary - Total revenue (in million NTD): - 2023: 2,161,736 - 2024: 2,894,308 - 2025E: 3,797,927 - 2026E: 4,883,180 - 2027E: 6,154,275 - Gross profit and margin: - 2023: 1,175,111 (54%) - 2024: 1,624,354 (56%) - 2025E: 2,261,172 (60%) - 2026E: 2,969,389 (61%) - 2027E: 3,766,416 (61%) [5][11] - GAAP net profit (in million NTD): - 2023: 837,768 - 2024: 1,172,432 - 2025E: 1,681,698 - 2026E: 2,193,663 - 2027E: 2,751,997 [5][11] Earnings Forecast and Investment Recommendations - Adjusted revenue forecasts for TSMC for FY2025E-FY2027E are 37,979/48,832/61,543 million NTD, with GAAP net profit forecasts of 16,817/21,937/27,520 million NTD [11] - The target price for TSMC's stock is set at $382 for FY2026, based on a PE ratio of 28x [11]