Summary of Key Points from the Expert Call on Japan Technology: Hardware - Industrial Electronics Industry Overview - The focus is on the industrial electronics sector, particularly in relation to power supply systems for generative AI data centers, highlighting the involvement of Japanese heavy electrical equipment manufacturers like Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric [2][3] Core Insights - **Power Consumption Trends**: Generative AI data centers are experiencing increased power consumption, leading to a shift towards higher voltages to minimize power loss. This trend benefits companies like Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric, which are expanding their business into data centers [2] - **Next-Generation Transformers**: Hitachi and Mitsubishi Electric are participating in Nvidia's 800V architecture ecosystem and are expected to supply next-generation transformers, including solid-state transformers (SSTs) [2][12] - **Battery Backup Units (BBUs)**: Companies like Panasonic are developing advanced products such as Capacitor Backup Units (CBUs) to manage power consumption fluctuations in generative AI applications [2] - **High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Cables**: The use of HTS cables is being explored for efficient DC power transmission, with companies like Fujikura and Furukawa Electric leading in this area [3][15] Technical Developments - **Power Supply Evolution**: The evolution of power supply systems for data centers includes moving from supplying 100 VAC to 415 VAC, and now to integrating power supply units within racks to provide 48 VDC [4][9] - **Power Stabilization Methods**: New configurations involve using battery energy storage systems (BESS) and supercapacitors to stabilize power supply, particularly in high-demand scenarios [10][11] - **Voltage Supply Changes**: The power supply configuration is evolving to provide +/-400 VDC and 800 VDC, with future plans for 1,500 VDC power supply [9] Market Dynamics - **Power Supply Issues**: Generative AI data centers are emerging with large power capacities (up to 5 GW), leading to local production for local consumption strategies, including building small nuclear plants or gas turbine power plants near data centers [17] - **Networking Evolution**: The approach to data center networking is shifting from scale-up to scale-out, and now to a scale-across concept, connecting multiple data center campuses [19] Component Demand - **Increased Demand for Components**: The need for stable power supply in GPU servers is driving demand for multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) from companies like Murata Manufacturing and Taiyo Yuden [21] - **Google's TPU Development**: Google’s 7th generation TPU is becoming competitive with NVIDIA's GPUs, emphasizing the importance of in-house hardware and software development [22] Company-Specific Insights - **Hitachi**: Target price set at ¥5,900 with risks including project delays and forex swings [23] - **Mitsubishi Electric**: Target price set at ¥5,200 with risks related to industrial automation and competition [24] - **Panasonic Holdings**: Target price set at ¥2,100 with risks including demand fluctuations and competition in the battery market [28] - **Fujikura**: Target price set at ¥22,700 with risks in telecommunications and electronics sectors [29] - **Furukawa Electric**: Target price set at ¥10,000 with risks in energy infrastructure and electronics [30] Additional Considerations - **Investment Risks**: The report highlights potential conflicts of interest due to Goldman Sachs' business relationships with the companies discussed, advising investors to consider this when making decisions [5][39] This summary encapsulates the key points from the expert call, focusing on the industrial electronics sector's developments, market dynamics, and company-specific insights.

Core Insights - Absci Corporation is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing therapeutics using generative AI, participating in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference to showcase its drug discovery advancements [1] Stock Performance - H.C. Wainwright set a price target of $8 for ABSI, indicating a potential increase of about 67.77% from its then-current price of $3.44; the stock is currently priced at $3.39, reflecting a slight decrease of 4.38% [2] - ABSI's stock has shown volatility, with a daily trading range between $3.38 and $3.64; over the past year, it reached a high of $6.33 and a low of $2.01, typical for clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies [3] Market Position - Absci's market capitalization is approximately $510.4 million, indicating the total market value of its outstanding shares; the trading volume on NASDAQ is 1,986,998 shares, reflecting investor interest [4] - The company's innovative approach in drug discovery, combining AI and synthetic biology, positions it as a notable player in the biopharmaceutical industry [4]

Core Insights - Absci Corporation is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on drug discovery using generative AI and synthetic biology [1][5] - The company is participating in the 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, indicating its commitment to innovation in therapeutics [4][5] Stock Performance - H.C. Wainwright maintains a "Buy" rating for Absci, raising the price target from $7 to $8, with the stock currently trading at $3.53 [2][5] - The stock has fluctuated between $3.50 and $3.64 during the day, with a yearly high of $6.33 and a low of $2.01 [3][5] - Absci's market capitalization is approximately $531.3 million, with a trading volume of 1,367,859 shares today, indicating active investor interest [3]

Industry Overview - The telecom sector experienced strong demand trends in 2025, driven by accelerated 5G deployment and increased fiber densification, despite a challenging macroeconomic environment [1] - The industry is benefiting from a software-driven, data-centric approach that enhances cloud architecture and user experience [3] - Telecom service providers are increasingly adopting fiber optic cables to meet the growing demand for cloud-based data and video streaming services [3] 5G Ecosystem and Innovations - 5G is recognized as a key catalyst for Generative AI and next-generation IoT services, including connected cars and smart cities, revolutionizing various industry verticals [2] - The deployment of 5G networks is expected to boost the adoption of IoT devices, with technologies like network slicing gaining prominence [10] Network Convergence - Operators are moving towards converged network structures that combine voice, video, and data communications, enabling rapid scaling of communication functionalities [4] - The proliferation of cloud networking solutions is increasing demand for quality networking equipment as both consumers and enterprises utilize the network [4] Company-Specific Insights - AT&T is facing challenges with a decline in legacy services and increasing long-term debt, struggling with wireline losses and shrinking Internet revenue [6][7] - Ericsson is expanding its 5G infrastructure with 194 live networks globally and focusing on enterprise business growth, positioning itself for market leadership in 5G [10][11] - CommScope is enhancing its product portfolio through acquisitions and innovations, such as the HX6-611-6WH/B antenna, to meet future network demands [15][16] - Viavi Solutions is leveraging the transition to 5G networks to drive growth, focusing on network test and monitoring solutions [18][19] Stock Performance and Outlook - Ericsson's stock has gained 20.6% over the past year, with earnings estimates for the current and next fiscal year increasing by 50% and 6.9%, respectively [12] - CommScope's stock has surged 193.7% over the past year, with significant increases in earnings estimates for the current and next fiscal year [17] - Viavi's stock has risen 71.2% over the past year, with earnings estimates also showing substantial growth [20][22]

Group 1: OpenAI and Amazon Investment - OpenAI is reportedly in talks with Amazon to raise over $10 billion, which would value OpenAI at more than $500 billion and involve the use of Amazon's chips [3][37] - The investment aims to diversify Amazon's AI partnerships, especially as competitors like Anthropic pivot towards Google TPU for their workloads [7][30] Group 2: Oracle and Data Center Challenges - Oracle's Michigan data center project is facing funding challenges after talks with Blue Owl stalled, raising concerns about Oracle's role in the AI buildout [4][37] - Analysts suggest that Oracle's reliance on OpenAI for revenue growth could limit its ability to fund its data center expansion if OpenAI fails to meet its revenue targets [6][30] Group 3: Micron's Earnings and AI Impact - Micron is expected to report a 16% revenue increase, heavily tied to the demand for high bandwidth memory chips driven by AI applications [9][19] - Memory chip prices have surged, with DRAM prices increasing by 70% in the current quarter and projected to rise another 40% next quarter, impacting smartphone manufacturing costs [21][22] Group 4: Smartphone Market Forecast - The global smartphone market is projected to see a 2.1% decline in shipments next year, a significant shift from the 3% growth experienced this year, largely due to rising component costs and inflation [24][27] - Companies may face tough decisions on whether to absorb increased costs or pass them onto consumers, potentially leading to postponed upgrades [23][24] Group 5: Market Sentiment and AI Sector Dynamics - The AI sector is experiencing volatility, with concerns about capital expenditures and funding for projects like those involving Oracle and OpenAI [38][39] - The market is seeing a rotation in AI-related stocks, with a focus on diversification as companies navigate the complexities of the AI landscape [41][42]

Core Insights - Vivo has strengthened its position in the premium camera smartphone market with the launch of the X300 Pro, which builds on the success of the X200 Pro and aims to provide a comprehensive user experience with its display, camera capabilities, and performance [1] Design - The Vivo X300 Pro features a slim profile of 161.98 × 75.48 × 7.99 mm and weighs 226 g, with a design that includes a flat display and rounded edges for comfort [2] - The device has an armour glass front, an aluminium alloy frame, and a glass back, with a frosted glass finish that resists fingerprints [3] Display - The smartphone is equipped with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 × 1260 pixels and supports an adaptive LTPO refresh rate from 1 Hz to 120 Hz [4] - The display offers vibrant colors and excellent contrast, enhancing the viewing experience for videos and photos [5] Audio - The stereo speakers provide adequate volume and clarity, although they lack depth and layering, particularly in complex audio tracks [6] Camera - The X300 Pro features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50 MP primary sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 200 MP telephoto lens, all of which deliver impressive image quality [8] - The camera system excels in low-light conditions, producing detailed night shots and accurate skin tones in selfies [10] Performance - Powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 chipset, the X300 Pro includes 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage, achieving high performance scores on Geekbench 6 [11][12] - The device runs on OriginOS 16 based on Android 16, providing a smooth user experience with minimal software bloat [13] AI Features - The smartphone includes various AI features across its applications, although the results can be inconsistent, indicating that the AI capabilities are still developing [14] Battery - The X300 Pro is equipped with a 6,510 mAh battery, supporting 90W FlashCharge, allowing for a full charge in around 60 minutes and lasting approximately 1.5 days under mixed usage [15] Verdict - The X300 Pro sets a high standard in the camera smartphone segment with its imaging capabilities, display quality, multimedia experience, and battery life, while facing minor drawbacks in weight and heat management [16] - The device is priced at ₹1,19,999, positioning it competitively against rivals like the Oppo Find X9 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S25 [17]

Core Insights - The online education market is experiencing a structural reset driven by shifts in learner behavior towards flexible, outcome-oriented skill development and the influence of generative AI on knowledge consumption [1] - Chegg, Inc. (CHGG) and Udemy, Inc. (UDMY) represent two distinct approaches to monetizing digital learning platforms, each adapting to similar industry pressures from different starting points [1][2] Chegg (CHGG) Overview - Chegg is undergoing a structural reset, separating its legacy academic services from growth-oriented skilling operations to align resources with long-term demand trends in workforce education [4] - In Q3 2025, Chegg's non-GAAP operating expenses decreased by 46% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA exceeding expectations due to aggressive cost actions [5] - Total revenues for Chegg fell by 42% year-over-year in Q3 2025, primarily due to reduced traffic in legacy academic services and advertising revenue pressure [6] - The Chegg Skilling unit is projected to achieve 14% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4 2025, with expectations for sustained double-digit growth beyond 2025 [7] Udemy (UDMY) Overview - Udemy is shifting towards a subscription-led business model, focusing on professional skill development and enterprise learning, which allows for improved revenue quality and visibility [8][9] - In Q3 2025, Udemy's total revenues reached $196 million, slightly up year-over-year, with subscription revenues increasing by 8% and accounting for 74% of total revenues [10] - Despite improvements, Udemy faces challenges with a net dollar retention rate of 93% in its business segment and constrained growth in the consumer segment due to a strategic deemphasis on transactional course sales [11] Stock Performance & Valuation - Chegg's share price performance has lagged behind Udemy's and the broader industry over the past six months [13] - Udemy currently trades at a higher forward 12-month price-to-sales (P/S) ratio compared to Chegg [15] - Chegg's earnings estimates for 2026 have trended upward, indicating a projected year-over-year growth of 228.6% [17] - In contrast, Udemy's 2026 EPS estimates have trended downward, indicating only 0.8% growth [19] Investment Outlook - Chegg is emerging from a significant restructuring with a leaner cost structure and improving earnings visibility, positioning it for potential upside heading into 2026 [21] - Udemy benefits from its transition to a subscription model and expanding enterprise presence, but faces execution risks and a more measured growth outlook [21][22] - Chegg currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), while Udemy has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), appealing more to investors seeking stability [22]

Core Insights - Acrivon Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on precision medicine through its proprietary Generative Phosphoproteomics AP3 platform, which enables the interpretation and quantification of drug-regulated effects in intact cells [2][3] Company Overview - Acrivon Therapeutics utilizes its Generative Phosphoproteomics AP3 platform to develop precision medicines, allowing for unbiased interpretation of compound-specific pathway activity levels, generating terabytes of data for actionable insights [2] - The AP3 platform includes tools such as the AP3 Data Portal, AP3 Kinase Substrate Relationship Predictor, and AP3 Interactome, which enhance drug discovery beyond traditional methods [2] Clinical Programs - Acrivon's lead program, ACR-368 (prexasertib), is a selective small molecule inhibitor targeting CHK1 and CHK2, currently in a Phase 2b trial for endometrial cancer, with Fast Track designation from the FDA [3] - ACR-368 has also received Breakthrough Device designation for its OncoSignature assay to identify suitable patients for treatment [3] - The second clinical asset, ACR-2316, is a WEE1/PKMYT1 inhibitor showing promising early clinical activity and safety in a Phase 1 trial, with initial tumor shrinkage observed [4][6] Upcoming Updates - Acrivon plans to provide updates on ACR-368 and ACR-2316 clinical data through a conference call and webcast in January 2026, including interim data from the Phase 2b study and the Phase 1 study of ACR-2316 [1][6]

Core Insights - Codoxo, a leader in AI and generative AI-powered healthcare payment integrity solutions, has successfully raised $35 million in Series C funding [1] - The funding round was led by CVS Health Ventures, with participation from new investor Echo Health Ventures and continued support from existing investors including Sands Capital, 111 West Capital, Brewer Lane Ventures, Wipro Ventures, 450 Ventures, and QED Investors [1] Company Overview - Codoxo specializes in healthcare payment integrity solutions that leverage AI and generative AI technologies [1] - The recent funding milestone enhances Codoxo's financial position and supports its growth strategy in the healthcare sector [1]

Core Insights - Platinum International Technology Fund reported a 6% increase in Q3 2025, primarily due to strong performance from AI-oriented holdings [1] - The fund allocates approximately 30% of its investments in AI infrastructure stocks, positioning itself to benefit from significant investments in AI development [1] Company Performance - Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) achieved a one-month return of 5.03% and a remarkable 61.84% increase over the past 52 weeks, closing at $307.73 per share with a market capitalization of $3.715 billion on December 16, 2025 [2] - In Q3 2025, Alphabet Inc. reached its first-ever $100 billion in revenue, indicating strong financial performance [4] Market Position and Trends - Despite Alphabet Inc. maintaining the largest share in the search engine market, its share of total search queries has fallen below 70%, attributed to increased user engagement with OpenAI and the rise of generative AI content [3] - Alphabet Inc. ranks 7th among the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds, with 186 hedge fund portfolios holding its stock at the end of Q3 2025, up from 178 in the previous quarter [4] Investment Outlook - While Alphabet Inc. is recognized for its potential as an investment, the company believes that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk [4]