Core Viewpoint - The significant share reduction by shareholders of Gaon Electronics raises concerns about the company's control structure and market confidence, especially given its status as a leading player in the EDA industry and the ongoing challenges it faces from international competitors [2][4]. Shareholder Reduction - Gaon Electronics' shareholders plan to reduce their holdings by up to 13.05 million shares, representing 3.01% of the total share capital, which will decrease their ownership from 10.77% to 7.76% [1][2]. - This reduction is notable as it constitutes a nearly one-third decrease in their shareholding, which could impact the stability of the company's equity structure, particularly since it currently lacks a controlling shareholder [2][3]. - The reduction is the fourth by this shareholder group since 2023, totaling a 4.3% decrease, which may signal a cautious outlook on the company's short-term prospects and amplify market fears [2][3]. Financial Performance - For the year 2024, Gaon Electronics reported revenues of 419 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.42%, but also experienced a net loss of 95.82 million yuan due to high R&D expenses of 289 million yuan, accounting for 68.9% of revenue [3]. - In the first quarter of 2025, the company achieved a net profit of 1.5 million yuan, indicating a potential turning point in its business performance [3]. Industry Context - The EDA industry is undergoing rapid consolidation, with the domestic market projected to reach 18.49 billion yuan by 2025, yet local companies hold less than 10% market share [3]. - Gaon Electronics faces significant competition from international giants that dominate over 70% of the global market, necessitating ongoing investment to overcome technological barriers [3]. - The strong customer loyalty and high switching costs associated with EDA tools present challenges for domestic companies in their commercialization efforts [3]. Market Reactions - On the day of the announcement, Gaon Electronics' stock price fell by 1.84% to 31.50 yuan, with a total market capitalization of 13.708 billion yuan, reflecting a 40% decline from its 2024 peak [3]. - The reduction in shareholding has led to stock price fluctuations in related upstream companies, raising concerns about the overall valuation pressure on the semiconductor sector, particularly in areas reliant on policy support [4]. Ownership Structure - The complex ownership structure of Gaon Electronics, characterized by a mix of private and state capital, may lead to control disputes during financing negotiations, as evidenced by previous issues faced by similar companies [4]. - While the company asserts that the reduction will not affect its control structure or ongoing operations, investors are keenly interested in potential strategic investor introductions or business adjustments [4]. Industry Insight - The EDA industry emphasizes long-term technological development rather than short-term valuation fluctuations, highlighting the importance of sustained R&D efforts [5].

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Buy" rating for the company [1][11][12] Core Insights - The company achieved a turnaround in net profit for Q1 2025, with a net profit of 0.02 billion yuan compared to a loss of 0.36 billion yuan in the same period of 2024 [5][6] - The company is actively expanding its market presence through acquisitions, including the planned purchase of Rui Cheng Chip and Na Neng Micro, which will enhance its semiconductor IP business [8][9] - The company has shown a significant increase in R&D investment, with a 21.84% year-on-year increase in 2024, indicating a commitment to enhancing its competitive edge [7] Financial Performance Summary - In 2024, the company reported revenue of 4.19 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 27.42%, while the net profit was a loss of 0.96 billion yuan [5][6] - For Q1 2025, the company reported revenue of 0.91 billion yuan, up 11.75% year-on-year, and a net profit of 0.02 billion yuan, marking a significant improvement from the previous year's loss [5][6] - The company’s revenue from EDA software licensing and semiconductor testing showed varied growth, with EDA software licensing revenue increasing by 23.17% for integrated circuit manufacturing EDA [6] Market Position and Growth Potential - The company has a strong customer base and has successfully integrated multiple acquisitions, enhancing its product offerings and technical capabilities in the EDA sector [11] - The forecast for revenue growth is optimistic, with projected revenues of 5.34 billion yuan in 2025, 6.88 billion yuan in 2026, and 8.92 billion yuan in 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of approximately 28% [10][11] - The company’s average revenue contribution per customer increased by 20.8% year-on-year, indicating improved customer engagement and market penetration [6]