Group 1: Amazon - Amazon plans to cut its global corporate workforce by up to 14,000 roles while leveraging opportunities in artificial intelligence [1] - RBC Capital analyst Brad Erickson identifies Amazon as a top pick, citing strong visibility on AI infrastructure return on invested capital and an upcoming product cycle [3][4] - Erickson raised revenue and EBITDA estimates for Amazon for 2026 and 2027, expecting a 10% revenue growth and a 30% adjusted EBITDA margin by 2028 [6] Group 2: Microsoft - Morgan Stanley analyst Keith Weiss maintains a buy rating on Microsoft, with a price target of $650, highlighting robust demand for Microsoft Azure [8][10] - Weiss raised his Azure estimates, projecting Azure AI gross margin to reach 30% by fiscal 2029, with potential for margins to exceed 40% [11] - Microsoft is viewed as a top pick in the large-cap software sector, with sustained demand and margin expansion not fully valued by the market [12] Group 3: Micron Technology - Micron Technology reported strong Q1 FY26 results, exceeding expectations and providing an optimistic outlook for Q2, driven by high demand for memory products [14][15] - Stifel analyst Brian Chin reiterated a buy rating on Micron, with a price target of $300, noting a 20% sequential growth in DRAM and NAND revenue [16] - Micron expects both DRAM and NAND bit shipments to increase by 20% in 2026, despite industry supply constraints [17]

Summary of Shengyi Technology Conference Call Company Overview - **Company Name**: Shengyi Technology (600183.SS) - **Industry**: Copper Clad Laminate (CCL) and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) manufacturing - **Headquarters**: Dongguan, China - **Market Focus**: Consumer electronics, communication, automotive, and data center markets - **Revenue Breakdown**: CCL business accounted for 68% of total revenues in 1H25, followed by PCB business at 29% [3][4] Key Points CCL Price Trends - Shengyi has raised CCL prices multiple times in the past 3-6 months due to rising raw material costs, particularly fiberglass cloth, driven by the ramp-up of AI infrastructure [4] - Management expects the price hike trend to continue into 1H26E, influenced by sustained demand for AI PCBs and a slow response from upstream suppliers to expand capacity [4][8] Margin Improvement - Management is optimistic about margin expansion in the coming years, primarily due to a shift towards high-end CCL products for AI PCBs, which offer higher margins compared to mainstream CCL [4][8] - The product mix has been improving, with expectations for large-scale deliveries of high-end CCL for China CSPs and AI chip manufacturers starting in 2026E [8] Capacity Expansion Strategy - Shengyi plans a 5-year capacity expansion strategy, focusing on AI CCL capacity in the upcoming year, with gradual expansions thereafter based on market demand and supply dynamics [9] - The company has established production sites in Mainland China and overseas (including Thailand) to better serve global-tier clients amid geopolitical tensions [9] Market Dynamics - The demand for high-end CCL is rising not only in AI PCB applications but also in other sectors such as LEO satellites and flexible printed circuits (FPC) used in consumer and automotive electronics [8] - Management is closely monitoring market conditions to optimize the pace of new production line setups, aiming to avoid supply surplus while benefiting from fast capacity ramp-up [9] Competitive Landscape - Shennan Circuits (002916.SZ) is also expanding into AI PCB, having started mass production for AI accelerators and other advanced applications, which aligns with the positive outlook for high-end CCL shipments [2] Additional Insights - The ongoing transition towards AI technologies is expected to significantly influence the demand for high-end CCL, positioning Shengyi favorably in the market [4][8] - The company's proactive approach in capacity planning and product mix enhancement is likely to support its growth trajectory and margin improvement in the competitive landscape of the PCB industry [9]

31 December 2025 | 12:58PM EST Economics Research Global Economics Wrap-Up: December 31, 2025 Global Economics 12/31/25 10:42AM ET US Economics 12/31/25 12:00PM ET Investors should consider this report as only a single factor in making their investment decision. For Reg AC certification and other important disclosures, see the Disclosure Appendix, or go to www.gs.com/research/hedge.html. Joseph Briggs +1(212)902-2163 | joseph.briggs@gs.com Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC Andrew Tilton +852-2978-1802 | andrew.tilton ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Focus on AI**: The semiconductor industry in 2026 is heavily centered around AI, with strong demand for AI accelerators (XPU) leading to supply constraints in various components like CoWoS, memory, and logic wafers [1][20] - **Concerns about AI Bubble**: There are growing concerns among investors regarding the sustainability of AI investments, with discussions on whether the current AI boom is a bubble [1][20] Company-Specific Insights TSMC - **Top Pick**: TSMC is identified as the top investment pick due to its strong position in GPU and ASIC markets, which mitigates risks associated with potential AI bubbles [6][54] - **Revenue Growth**: Projected revenue growth of 23% in 2026 and 20% in 2027, with a 20% EPS CAGR [56][57] - **Capex Plans**: TSMC's 2026 capital expenditure is projected at USD 47 billion, a 15% increase YoY, with a decreasing capex/revenue ratio due to faster revenue growth [3][56] - **AI Revenue Contribution**: Expected to rise from 14.4% of total revenue in 2024 to 27.3% in 2026 [59] MediaTek - **Temporary Headwinds**: MediaTek faces temporary challenges in the mobile segment due to high memory prices affecting its TV SoC and other products [7][73] - **AI ASIC Upside**: Anticipated upside from AI ASIC projects, with projections indicating that TPU will contribute significantly to MediaTek's earnings in 2026 and 2027 [7][73] Samsung Electronics - **Valuation Increase**: Target price raised from KRW 130,000 to KRW 140,000, driven by higher valuation multiples [13] - **Market Position**: Samsung is expected to gain market share in HBM, with demand projected to double in 2026 [50] SK Hynix - **Target Price Increase**: Target price raised from KRW 650,000 to KRW 750,000, reflecting improved valuation multiples [13] Micron - **Target Price Increase**: Target price raised from USD 270 to USD 330, driven by higher valuation multiples [14] KIOXIA - **Underperform Rating**: KIOXIA rated as Underperform with a target price of JPY 7,000 [15] UMC and Vanguard - **Underperform Ratings**: UMC rated Underperform with a target price of NT$ 32.00, while Vanguard rated Market-Perform with a target price of NT$ 90.00 [17][19] Geopolitical Considerations - **China's Memory IPOs**: The potential IPOs of YMTC and CXMT are significant as they mark China's entry into the memory market, although they are not expected to alleviate supply shortages in 2026 [5][49] - **Technological Lag**: China is projected to lag behind TSMC by approximately 5 years in semiconductor technology, with SMIC's recent advancements not matching TSMC's capabilities [5][53] Market Dynamics - **CoWoS and HBM Growth**: CoWoS and HBM shipments are expected to rise significantly, with CoWoS capacity projected to increase from 724K wafers in 2025 to 1,250K in 2026 [22][46] - **Memory Price Trends**: Memory prices are expected to normalize by late 2026, but strong demand driven by AI will keep prices at healthy levels [8][42] Conclusion - The semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth driven by AI, with TSMC, MediaTek, Samsung, and SK Hynix positioned favorably. However, geopolitical risks and potential supply constraints from new entrants in the memory market warrant careful monitoring.

Group 1 - NuScale Power Corp. (NYSE:SMR) experienced a significant stock increase of 15.10%, closing at $16.31, as investors showed renewed interest in nuclear stocks following government policy support [1][2]. - The U.S. government has committed to a major policy initiative aimed at reviving and expanding the nuclear energy sector, which has positively impacted companies like NuScale Power [2][3]. - An executive order signed in May 2023 mandates the rapid deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including at military sites by September 30, 2028, which is expected to benefit NuScale Power in the long term [3][4]. Group 2 - NuScale Power is seeking approval to increase its authorized capital stock from 332 million shares to 662 million shares, with a par value of $0.0001 per share, a plan already approved by its Board of Directors [5].

Group 1: Taiwan Semiconductor - Taiwan Semiconductor is a key provider of high-end chips essential for the AI infrastructure buildout, with a strong investment thesis based on increasing global demand for advanced chips [3][5] - The company is the world's largest third-party foundry operator, benefiting from the significant capital expenditures by AI hyperscalers, which are expected to accelerate in 2026 [5][6] - Every new data center construction contributes to Taiwan Semiconductor's revenue, making it a strong investment opportunity as data center buildouts are projected to increase [6] Group 2: Amazon - Amazon's cloud computing unit, Amazon Web Services (AWS), is a major client of Taiwan Semiconductor, and AWS is crucial for Amazon's overall profitability, contributing 66% of its total operating profits [6][8] - AWS experienced a revenue growth of 20% in Q3, marking its fastest growth rate in several years, indicating a positive outlook for Amazon's stock in 2026 [8] Group 3: Alphabet - Alphabet's shares rose approximately 65% in 2025, but a similar performance is not expected in 2026 due to its current valuation being in line with peers at 30 times forward earnings [9][11] - The company reported a 16% year-over-year revenue increase and a 35% rise in diluted earnings per share (EPS) in Q3, showcasing strong business growth [11] - Alphabet has established itself as a leader in AI with its large language model, Gemini, which may provide a competitive edge by allowing lower pricing to dominate the market [13][14]

Core Insights - Despite gold's significant rally in 2025, the Sprott Silver Miners & Physical Silver ETF (SLVR) led with approximately $450 million in inflows, indicating strong investor interest in silver [1] - Silver experienced a remarkable gain of over 140% in 2025, benefiting from its dual role as both a precious and industrial metal, which positions it as a value-focused safe haven asset amid market uncertainty [2] - The Sprott Critical Materials ETF (SETM) followed with nearly $170 million in inflows, focusing on companies in the critical minerals sector, which is poised for further growth [3] - The Sprott Active Gold & Silver Miners ETF (GBUG) secured over $95 million in inflows, providing investors with diversified exposure to both gold and silver mining sectors [4] - The Sprott Copper Miners ETF (COPP) ranked fourth in inflows, driven by increased electricity demand and potential growth from AI-related capital expenditures [5] - The Sprott Junior Copper Miners ETF (COPJ) is noteworthy for its focus on mid, small, and microcap companies in the copper mining sector, which may benefit from reduced debt servicing costs due to anticipated rate cuts [6]

Core Viewpoint - The outlook for equity markets is cautious, with stock picking remaining a potentially rewarding strategy, particularly in monetized and cash-flow backed stocks, while narratives may shift over time [1] Group 1: Market Trends - AI is identified as a long-term supportive factor for the market, indicating a multi-year trend that could benefit certain sectors [1] - Growth in the market may be limited to stocks that demonstrate strong monetization and cash flow, suggesting a focus on fundamental financial health [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst has over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management, emphasizing expertise in equity valuation and market trends [1] - Previous roles include Vice President at Barclays, where the analyst led teams in model validation and stress testing, showcasing a strong foundation in both fundamental and technical analysis [1] - The research approach combines rigorous risk management with a long-term perspective on value creation, focusing on macroeconomic trends and corporate earnings [1]

Core Viewpoint - Super Micro Computer, Inc. has introduced a new high-density server platform aimed at enhancing compute workloads, leading to a notable increase in its stock price. Group 1: Product Announcement - The company unveiled a new 6U SuperBlade platform that features both liquid and air cooling systems [1] - The SBI-622BA-1NE12-LCC system is equipped with dual Intel Xeon 6900 Series processors, each capable of supporting up to 256 P-cores [1] Group 2: Performance and Efficiency - The new platform can accommodate up to 10 blades within a 6U enclosure, achieving a maximum of 25,600 cores per rack [1] - The design allows for a reduction in cabling by up to 93% and decreases space requirements by approximately 50% compared to traditional 1U servers [2] Group 3: Target Applications - The system is specifically designed for high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, including applications in research, finance, and modeling [2] Group 4: Memory and Connectivity - Each blade supports up to 3TB of DDR5 memory and offers multiple storage options, including PCIe 5.0 NVMe [3] - The chassis includes two 25G Ethernet switches with 100G uplinks and flexible PCIe expansion capabilities [3] Group 5: Management Features - The chassis management system enables remote control of blades, power, cooling, and networking, along with BIOS access [3] Group 6: Stock Performance - Following the announcement, Super Micro Computer shares increased by 6.82%, reaching a price of $31.26 [3]

Core Insights - Goldman Sachs forecasts a modest annual return of 6.5% for the S&P 500 over the next decade, prompting a consideration for a more active investment approach rather than a passive one [1] - Despite a long-term muted return outlook, Goldman Sachs anticipates 2026 to be a strong year for American stocks, projecting a target of 7,600 for the S&P 500, with potential for an 11% gain in the year [3] Investment Strategies - Investors are encouraged to explore opportunities outside the U.S. market and consider mid- and small-cap stocks for better returns [2] - The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF is highlighted as a valuable option for gaining exposure to small-cap stocks, especially as the Fed lowers interest rates and M&A activity increases [5][6] - The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF outperformed the S&P 500 with nearly 31% gains last year, suggesting international markets may offer attractive investment opportunities despite potential challenges in maintaining such performance [7][8] Valuation Considerations - The Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets Index Fund ETF has a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 17.1, which is appealing for value investors compared to the higher P/E ratios associated with the S&P 500 [9]