Core Insights - The company reported Q3 2025 results with revenue and profit below expectations, but a turning point in profit margins was observed, which was better than anticipated [1] - Revenue for the first three quarters of 2025 reached 18.68 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.7%, while net profit attributable to shareholders was 2.44 billion yuan, a year-on-year decrease of 14.3% [1] - The gross margin was 22.0%, down 5.85 percentage points year-on-year, and the net profit margin was 13.0%, down 3.2 percentage points year-on-year [1] Revenue and Profit Analysis - For Q1, Q2, and Q3 of 2025, revenues were 5.35 billion, 7.31 billion, and 6.02 billion yuan respectively, showing year-on-year growth of 12.3%, 9.0%, and a slight decline of 0.3% [1] - Net profits for the same quarters were 760 million, 910 million, and 760 million yuan, with year-on-year changes of -3.2%, -16.7%, and -20.7% respectively [1] - The decline in profit was attributed to new factories ramping up efficiency, capacity adjustments, and foreign exchange losses in Q3 2025 [1] Sales and Pricing Dynamics - The company sold 168 million pairs of shoes in the first three quarters of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 3.0%, with quarterly sales of 49 million, 65 million, and 53 million pairs respectively [2] - The average selling price (ASP) in RMB for the first three quarters was 111 yuan, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 3.5%, with quarterly ASPs of 108, 112, and 112.6 yuan per pair [2] - The increase in ASP was driven by a higher proportion of high-priced customers and new customer orders with generally higher prices [2] Profit Margin Recovery - The recovery in profit margins in Q3 2025 is a significant signal, with a gross margin of 22.2%, up 1.1 percentage points from the previous quarter, and a net profit margin of 12.7%, up 0.3 percentage points [3] - The company has focused on improving the operations of new factories and implementing cost reduction and efficiency enhancement measures [3] - Three out of four new shoe factories launched in 2024 have achieved interim profitability targets, indicating successful ramp-up of production [3] Expansion and Future Outlook - The company is actively expanding production capacity in anticipation of order recovery, with new factories in Vietnam and Indonesia launched in 2024 and additional factories expected to come online in 2025 [3] - In the first half of 2025, the new factories in Vietnam shipped 3.73 million pairs, the factory in Indonesia shipped 1.99 million pairs, and the new factory in China shipped 670,000 pairs [3] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the recovery of the sports supply chain orders with ongoing capacity expansion [3] Investment Rating - The company is recognized as a leading manufacturer of sports shoes, with a competitive edge in manufacturing services, and is expected to turn challenges into opportunities amid global tariff policy changes [4] - The profit forecast for 2025-2027 has been slightly adjusted, with expected net profits of 3.45 billion, 4.0 billion, and 4.62 billion yuan respectively, corresponding to PE ratios of 19, 16, and 14 times [4] - The investment rating remains at "Buy" based on the recovery of orders and profit margins [4]

Core Insights - ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (ASX.US) has seen a pre-market increase of approximately 2%, following a more than 7% rise during the previous trading session, reaching a historical high [1] - The company reported September revenue of NT$60.56 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9%, while third-quarter revenue reached NT$168.57 billion, marking a 5.3% increase compared to the previous year [1] - ASE's new advanced packaging plant, K18B, has commenced expansion, with production expected to start in the first quarter of 2028, which will create nearly 2,000 jobs [1] Financial Performance - September revenue: NT$60.56 billion, up 9% year-on-year [1] - Third-quarter revenue: NT$168.57 billion, up 5.3% year-on-year [1] - Closing price on October 16: $12.580, with a market cap of $27.337 billion [1] Stock Performance - Pre-market price on October 17: $12.790, an increase of 1.67% [1] - Historical high reached: $12.840 [1] - 52-week range: Lowest at $6.699 and highest at $12.840 [1]