Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for several companies including Xiaomi, Cowell, DSBJ, AAC, Lens Tech, Will Semi, SG Micro, and Chroma ATE, indicating a positive outlook on their growth potential and market positioning [13][14][16]. Core Insights - The semiconductor and hardware sectors in China are experiencing a mixed performance, with some companies benefiting from AI-related demand and localization efforts, while others face challenges due to geopolitical risks and inventory management [1][2][3]. - The report highlights a recovery in consumer electronics driven by China subsidies and AI deployment, with smartphone shipments growing by 1.5% YoY and PC shipments up by 4.9% YoY in 1Q25 [6][7]. - Inventory levels for downstream hardware are generally healthy, with certain segments like CCL, TV, and Networking & Server showing higher than average days inventory outstanding (DIO), while others like LED and Optical Fiber are at lower levels [3][6]. Summary by Sections 4Q24/1Q25 Results Wrap - Among 37 tech hardware and semiconductor stocks, 19% of results beat expectations in 4Q24, while 20% did so in 1Q25, with notable performance from U.S.-exposed AI names and China subsidy-driven companies [2][17]. - The report downgraded BYDE to Neutral due to fair valuation concerns and priced-in growth expectations for 2025 [2]. Inventory Tracker - The inventory tracker indicates that DIO for downstream hardware segments like LED and Optical Fiber is below the 5-year average, while segments like CCL and TV are above average [3]. - Upstream semiconductor DIO shows a decline in several categories, with Processor DIO reaching a 3-year high, indicating a shift in demand dynamics [3]. Sector Views and Top Picks - DSBJ is expected to achieve a 30% earnings CAGR from 2023-2026, driven by content value increases and market share gains [13]. - Xiaomi is highlighted for its long-term growth potential in EVs and smartphones, with a target price of HK$73.5 based on a sum-of-the-parts valuation [14]. - Cowell is noted for its strong earnings visibility and expected share gains in the iPhone supply chain, with a target price of HK$27.0 [14]. - Lens Tech is anticipated to benefit from iPhone upgrades and new product rollouts, with a target price of Rmb25.0 [14]. Semiconductor Sector Insights - Chinese semiconductor makers are seeing improved inventory balances, with strong demand growth in domestic AI infrastructure and computing applications [16]. - Will Semi and SG Micro are positioned to benefit from localization trends and increasing demand for automotive components [16]. - Chroma ATE is expected to capture significant market share in AI-related orders, with a positive long-term outlook despite short-term market concerns [16].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for AccoTest and a "Hold" rating for SG Micro and Maxscend [4][8][56]. Core Insights - The latest import tariff regulations on US semiconductors are expected to create a supply shortage, price hikes, and import substitution, particularly benefiting domestic analog and RF markets [8][10]. - The localization trend in the semiconductor industry is anticipated to accelerate due to China-US tensions, enhancing the bargaining power of domestic companies [11][22]. - The report highlights that analog (over 20%) and RF (approximately 50%) segments will benefit significantly from higher tariffs on US suppliers, while memory and advanced logic categories are less affected [3][10]. Summary by Sections Company Ratings and Estimates - AccoTest is projected to have a target price of RMB 182.50, reflecting an 18% upside from its current price [5][56]. - SG Micro's target price is adjusted to RMB 100.60, indicating a 10% downside from its current price, maintaining a Hold rating due to tariff tensions [4][34]. - Maxscend's target price is revised to RMB 79.70, also maintaining a Hold rating, with a 4% downside from the current price [41][45]. Market Dynamics - The report indicates that the localization ratio for analog ICs was 24% in 2024, with expectations for further increases due to tariff impacts [11][22]. - Domestic suppliers are expected to gain market share in the RF segment, particularly in mid- to high-tier smartphone models, as tariffs incentivize localization [15][16]. - The report notes that while discrete and power semiconductors have achieved high localization rates, further upside in these areas is limited compared to analog and RF segments [22][24]. Financial Projections - SG Micro's revenue estimates for 2025 are increased by 2% to RMB 4,101 million, with net profit estimates raised by 7% to RMB 706 million [30][31]. - Maxscend's revenue estimates for 2025 are lowered by 2% to RMB 5,340 million, with net profit estimates reduced by 18% to RMB 551 million [41][44]. - AccoTest's revenue is projected to reach RMB 1,186 million in 2025, with a net profit of RMB 471 million [57].

Investment Rating - The report rates SG Micro as a "Buy" with a target price of Rmb115, reflecting a positive outlook for the company amid ongoing market dynamics [32][45]. Core Insights - The report identifies China's mature semiconductors, particularly analog, as defensive investments due to the recent 34% retaliatory tariff on US imports, which is expected to enhance local supply and reduce competition from US firms [1][3][14]. - SG Micro is highlighted as the top beneficiary of the tariff, with expectations of improved earnings and market share gains as US competitors face cost disadvantages [5][21]. - The report anticipates that the tariff will accelerate the localization of semiconductor supply in China, benefiting companies like SG Micro, Will Semi, and Maxscend [3][14][21]. Summary by Sections Market Overview - The US tariffs have limited direct impact on Chinese semiconductors, as most are shipped to ODM/EMS outside the US and are not subject to tariffs. However, there is an indirect effect on demand due to increased selling prices [2][11]. Company Analysis - SG Micro is projected to expand its market share as the cost advantage of Texas Instruments is eliminated by the tariff. The company is expected to benefit from an ongoing recovery in the analog segment and tariff protection against US competitors [4][5][21]. - Will Semi is also rated as a "Buy," with expectations of strong growth driven by its CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) business, particularly in the automotive sector [48][49]. - Maxscend is rated as a "Sell" due to concerns over rising investment costs and potential profitability pressures despite its leadership in the RFFE market [39][40]. Financial Projections - SG Micro's revenue forecasts for 2024E and 2025E have been adjusted to Rmb3,301 million and Rmb4,188 million respectively, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 26% and 27% [22]. - The report indicates that SG Micro's gross profit margin is expected to stabilize around 51.3% in 2025, with net profit projected to reach Rmb828 million [22][32]. Valuation - The target price for SG Micro is based on a forward P/E of 65x for 2025E EPS, justified by the anticipated recovery in the analog semiconductor market and reduced foreign competition due to tariffs [45][46].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a HOLD rating for Maxscend, with a target price adjusted downward to RMB82.00 from RMB86.00, reflecting a potential upside of 2.3% from the current price of RMB80.15 [1][3]. Core Insights - Maxscend's FY24 revenue increased by 2.5% YoY to RMB4.5 billion, which was below CMBI estimates and Bloomberg consensus by 2% and 1% respectively. However, net profit saw a significant decline of 64.2% YoY to RMB402 million, missing estimates by 28% and 21% [1][2]. - The gross profit margin (GPM) and net profit margin (NPM) decreased by 7.0 percentage points and 16.7 percentage points respectively, attributed to margin pressure from the subsidiary Xinzhuo's ramp-up as the company shifts from a fabless model to a fab-lite strategy [1][2]. - Despite the near-term margin pressures, the long-term growth prospects for Maxscend remain positive as it develops platform-level manufacturing capabilities and strategic supply chain independence [1]. Financial Performance Summary - FY24 revenue was RMB4,487 million, with a YoY growth of 2.5%, while FY25 revenue is estimated to grow by 16.3% to RMB5,219 million [2][8]. - The gross margin for FY24 was reported at 39.5%, down from 46.4% in FY23, with expectations of a slight recovery to 40.2% in FY25 [2][8]. - Net profit for FY24 was RMB401.9 million, with a forecasted recovery to RMB587.3 million in FY25, reflecting a growth of 46.1% [2][8]. Market Position and Future Outlook - Module sales, which account for 42% of total revenue, grew by 18.6% YoY in FY24, while discrete sales declined by 7.6% YoY. The module business is expected to be a key growth driver, projected to grow by 25% YoY in FY25 [7][8]. - The report indicates that Maxscend will continue to face margin headwinds, particularly in the first half of FY25, but anticipates a gradual recovery in the second half due to seasonality and emerging demand from AI edge devices [7][8]. - The target price of RMB82.00 is based on a rolled-over 45x 2026E P/E, which is 10% higher than the average of peers at 40.7x, considering Maxscend's leading position in the RFFE market and its role in semiconductor localization [1][8].