Core Viewpoint - The report from CITIC Securities indicates that three technological trends will significantly enhance the usage and importance of etching equipment: (1) adoption of multiple patterning in photolithography, (2) demand for 3D stacked storage and near-memory computing, and (3) upgrades in underlying transistor structures [1][2]. Group 1: Multiple Patterning - The current EUV lithography technology is limited, making DUV multiple patterning a key strategy for domestic breakthroughs, leading to a substantial increase in the usage of etching equipment [3]. - The DUV multiple patterning method allows for continued iteration down to 3nm, with the etching equipment usage in production lines increasing up to four times compared to the EUV method [3]. Group 2: 3D Stacking Demand - The increase in storage layers for 3D NAND and DRAM is driving exponential growth in the demand for etching equipment, with the usage share rising from 35% to 48% as layers increase from 32 to 128 [4]. - The need for higher aspect ratio etching equipment is also growing, with current mainstream 3D NAND using a 60:1 aspect ratio, and future technologies expected to reach 90:1 for higher layer counts [4]. - TSV (Through-Silicon Via) processes, essential for 3D expansion in packaging, require etching and filling equipment, which constitutes nearly 70% of the TSV process, further increasing demand for etching equipment [4]. Group 3: GAA Transistor - The introduction of GAAFET technology, which will replace FinFET, is expected to increase the etching process steps from 5 to 9, leading to a rise in the share of etching equipment from 20% to 35% in advanced processes [5]. - The value of individual etching equipment is projected to grow by 12% year-on-year, with new demands for high-selectivity SiGe isotropic etching processes emerging, particularly through Atomic Layer Etching (ALE) methods [5].

Market Overview - The A-share market experienced a comprehensive rise, with the Shanghai Composite Index increasing by 0.96%, the Shenzhen Component Index by 0.59%, and the ChiNext Index by 0.39% [7] - The total trading volume in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets reached 16,160.55 billion, an increase of 976.95 billion compared to the previous trading day [7] Investor Sentiment - A significant portion of retail investors are facing losses, with 99.9% of accounts with less than 10,000 yuan experiencing losses, and 97% of accounts between 10,000 to 100,000 yuan also in the red [1][2] - In contrast, 90% of accounts with over 1 million yuan reported profits, indicating a disparity in performance among different account sizes [2] Sector Performance - The communication sector saw the largest net inflow of funds, followed by automotive, banking, electronics, and machinery sectors [20] - The PEEK materials sector showed strong performance, with several stocks reaching the daily limit, driven by increased interest in lightweight materials for robotics [7] Financing Trends - The financing balance in the market has reached 19,713 billion, surpassing the levels seen during the 2015 market peak, indicating a potential for further growth [3] - The overall market volume remains relatively low at 1.6 trillion, suggesting that while there is upward momentum, the market may lack sufficient strength for sustained growth [5] Key Developments - The upcoming launch of Apple's iPhone 17 series, which is expected to fully transition to eSIM technology, is anticipated to impact related stocks positively [6] - The Chinese government has initiated several policies to support new industrialization, including financial support for key technology sectors such as integrated circuits and advanced materials [13] Institutional Activity - Institutional investors showed a net inflow of 138.16 billion, with notable purchases in the communication and automotive sectors [20] - The top individual stocks attracting institutional interest included Zhangjiang Hi-Tech, Dongxin Peace, and Changcheng Military Industry [20] Valuation Insights - The current price-to-earnings (PE) ratios in various sectors indicate that some, like agriculture and non-bank financials, are at historically low levels, suggesting potential investment opportunities [32]