Core Insights - The Artisan Value Fund's third-quarter 2025 performance was positive, with returns of 0.83% for Investor Class ARTLX, 0.91% for Advisor Class APDLX, and 0.90% for Institutional Class APHLX, compared to a 5.33% return for the Russell 1000 Value Index [1] Group 1: Market Context - The equity market rally continued in Q3 2025, driven by strong corporate earnings, increased AI investment, and expectations of economic support from US fiscal policy and lower interest rates [1] Group 2: Company Focus - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. - Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) is highlighted as a key stock, providing life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, laboratory products, and biopharma services [2] - The stock experienced a one-month return of -0.75% but gained 11.93% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $580.74 per share on December 26, 2025, with a market capitalization of $218.19 billion [2] - Thermo Fisher was one of the top contributors to returns in Q3, alongside Lam Research and ASML, following purchases made during a market downturn [3]

Core Insights - The Artisan Value Fund's third-quarter 2025 performance was positive, with returns of 0.83% for Investor Class ARTLX, 0.91% for Advisor Class APDLX, and 0.90% for Institutional Class APHLX, compared to a 5.33% return for the Russell 1000 Value Index [1] Company Highlights - Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) was highlighted as a significant stock in the Artisan Value Fund's third-quarter 2025 investor letter, with a one-month return of 15.04% and a 52-week gain of 146.81% [2] - As of December 26, 2025, Lam Research Corporation's stock closed at $178.07 per share, with a market capitalization of $224.552 billion [2] Investment Strategy - The Artisan Value Fund made three new purchases in Q2 2025, including Lam Research Corporation, which became a top contributor to returns in Q3 [3] - Lam Research is recognized as a key global supplier of semiconductor equipment, particularly in the memory (NAND and DRAM) and foundry/logic markets [3] - The company has a solid financial condition with a net cash balance sheet and returns 100% of earnings to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends [3] - At the time of initial purchase, Lam Research was valued at a 17X P/E on cyclically depressed earnings, which was considered an attractive valuation given the business's compounding nature [3]

Core Insights - European equities, particularly quality blue chips, have outperformed U.S. benchmarks and AI-focused stocks in 2025, despite currency fluctuations and geopolitical tensions [1]. Group 1: ETF Overview - The JPMorgan BetaBuilders Europe ETF (BBEU) offers low-cost exposure to developed European large caps with a 0.09% expense ratio and $8.4 billion in assets [2]. - BBEU achieved a return of 36.9% year-to-date through late December 2025, significantly surpassing the S&P 500's 17.8% gain during the same period [3]. Group 2: Performance Drivers - The fund experienced $678.7 million in inflows during one week in October, leading to a 16.4% increase in outstanding units, indicating strong institutional interest despite lower retail investor sentiment [3][7]. - Key contributors to BBEU's performance include European defense contractors like Rheinmetall and BAE Systems, as well as luxury brands such as LVMH and Hermès, which have shown resilience amid economic challenges [6]. Group 3: Portfolio Composition - The ETF's holdings include major companies such as ASML Holding (3.3%), AstraZeneca (2.2%), Roche Holding (2.2%), HSBC Holdings (2.0%), and Nestlé (2.0%), representing leaders in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, banking, and consumer staples [5]. - The portfolio also features companies like SAP, Siemens, and Airbus, further diversifying its exposure [6]. Group 4: Currency Impact - Currency fluctuations have a dual impact; European investors in U.S. stocks faced a 14% loss due to euro strength in 2025, while American investors in BBEU benefited from dollar weakness [8].

Core Insights - Bailard Technology Strategy generated a net return of 9.36% in Q3 2025, underperforming compared to the S&P North American Technology Index's 13.14% return and other benchmarks [1] - The quarter showed improved technology fundamentals driven by structural demand trends and evolving regulations [1] Company Overview: Lam Research Corporation - Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) reported a one-month return of 15.04% and a 52-week gain of 146.81%, closing at $178.07 per share with a market capitalization of $224.552 billion on December 27, 2025 [2] - The company is benefiting from cyclical demand in wafer equipment and U.S. semiconductor onshoring, positioning itself well in memory fabrication tools amid accelerating AI infrastructure investment [3] - Lam Research reported revenue of $5.3 billion in Q3 2025, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous quarter [3] Investment Sentiment - Lam Research is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 93 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of Q3, up from 85 in the previous quarter [3] - While Lam Research is acknowledged as a potential investment, the company believes certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential with less downside risk [3]

Core Viewpoint - The demand for storage market is increasing, and the HBM technology is accelerating its penetration, leading to a continuous rise in the demand for related process equipment [1] Group 1: Company Overview - The company, Northern Huachuang (002371.SZ), provides core process equipment for storage chip manufacturing, including etching, thin film deposition, cleaning, thermal treatment, ion implantation, and photoresist coating and development, covering mainstream storage categories such as DRAM and NAND [1] - In the HBM field, the company offers multiple core equipment and process solutions, including TSV etching, debonding, wet cleaning, ALD, PVD, electroplating, and annealing [1] - The company's related products have been delivered in bulk to mainstream storage and HBM customers, with several products becoming the baseline machines for customers' production lines [1]

Core Viewpoint - The automatic FOUP cleaner is essential in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, ensuring the cleanliness of FOUPs to prevent contamination of wafers, thereby enhancing yield and reliability in semiconductor device production [2]. Market Overview - The global market for automatic FOUP cleaners is projected to reach $170 million by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% over the coming years [3]. - Major manufacturers in the global automatic FOUP cleaner market include Brooks Automation, Hugle Electronics, Jinsun, DEVICEENG, and Sijun Semiconductor, with the top four companies holding approximately 92.0% of the market share in 2024 [6]. - Fully automatic FOUP cleaners dominate the product segment, accounting for about 91.9% of the market [7]. - The Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) sector is the primary source of demand, representing approximately 71.4% of the market [10]. Market Drivers - The increasing stringent cleanliness requirements in semiconductor manufacturing are driving the demand for automatic FOUP cleaners, as even minor contaminants can lead to defects or failures in wafers [13]. - The trend towards automation and smart upgrades in semiconductor factories is propelling the need for automatic FOUP cleaners, which can seamlessly integrate with automated material handling systems [13]. - The expansion of semiconductor capacity and advancements in technology are necessitating high-performance cleaning equipment to support large-scale and precise wafer manufacturing [13]. - There is a growing emphasis on the lifecycle management of FOUPs, as their cleanliness directly impacts their lifespan and reliability, further driving the market for automatic FOUP cleaners [14]. Market Challenges - High technical barriers and complex R&D requirements pose significant challenges for companies in developing automatic FOUP cleaners, necessitating long-term investment and expertise [15]. - Compliance with stringent industry standards and the need for customized solutions increase the costs and complexity of product development and delivery [15]. - Supply chain risks and high cost pressures arise from reliance on specialized suppliers for critical components, which can be affected by geopolitical factors and material price fluctuations [16]. - The demand for rigorous after-sales service and technical support is high, but the shortage of professionals with cross-disciplinary knowledge in semiconductor processes and automation limits market expansion [16].

Group 1 - The Shanghai Composite Index opened lower but rose to challenge a nine-day winning streak, with strength in computing chip sectors. The semiconductor equipment ETF (561980) increased by 0.29%, with stocks like Cambricon and Liandong Technology rising over 4% [1] - The semiconductor equipment ETF (561980) has seen continuous capital inflow, with over 47 million yuan net inflow for two consecutive trading days [1] - According to a report by Chengtong Securities, semiconductor investments driven by AI should focus on two main lines: high-end logic chips and memory (HBM) that directly benefit from the surge in computing demand, and opportunities for domestic substitution in the semiconductor equipment sector [1] Group 2 - The storage market is experiencing price increases, with NAND flash wafer prices rising over 10% in December, and SSD prices increasing by 15% to 20%. Major suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix have raised HBM3E prices by nearly 20% for 2026 [2] - Foundries are also raising prices, with SMIC implementing price increases of about 10% on some capacities [3] - The duration and magnitude of the storage price increase cycle have exceeded expectations, with projections for accelerated growth in domestic semiconductor equipment orders by 2026 due to AI demand driving global storage and advanced process capacity expansion [4] Group 3 - The global semiconductor equipment market is expected to grow significantly, with total sales projected to reach $133 billion by 2025, a 13.7% increase year-on-year, and further growth anticipated in the following years [5] - The domestic semiconductor equipment industry is seeing improvements in process coverage and market share, with domestic rates exceeding 50% in certain areas like etching and cleaning, while core high-end segments remain below 10%, indicating substantial room for domestic substitution [7] Group 4 - The semiconductor equipment ETF (561980) tracks the CSI semiconductor index, with nearly 60% of its components in "equipment" and over 90% in upstream sectors of the chip industry, highlighting significant domestic substitution potential [11] - The index focuses on leading companies in the sector, with the top ten holdings accounting for nearly 80% of the index, showing high elasticity characteristics. As of December 24, the CSI semiconductor index has seen a year-to-date increase of over 63% [11]

Company Overview - Aehr Test Systems, Inc. is a California-based supplier of semiconductor test and burn-in equipment [1] - The company's equipment is primarily used by semiconductor manufacturers to identify and mark defective chips at the wafer level [1] Industry Context - The semiconductor testing and burn-in equipment market is critical for ensuring the quality and reliability of chips before they are deployed in various applications [1]

Summary of China Semiconductor Equipment Import Analysis Industry Overview - The report focuses on the semiconductor production equipment (SPE) industry in China, particularly analyzing import trends and demand dynamics in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing [1][4]. Key Highlights - **November 2025 SPE Imports**: Total SPE imports normalized to **US$2.1 billion**, reflecting a **10% YoY decrease** and a **29% MoM decline** from **US$2.98 billion** in October [1]. - **Year-to-Date (YTD) Performance**: Combined import demand for the first eleven months of 2025 reached **US$30.5 billion**, marking a **5% YoY increase** [1]. - **Regional Demand**: Shanghai and Beijing accounted for **67%** of total SPE imports in November, with Shanghai's imports at **US$902 million** (+179% YoY) and Beijing's at **US$525 million** (+41% YoY) [1]. Equipment Type Analysis - **Lithography Equipment**: - November litho imports totaled **US$707 million**, down **15% YoY** and **32% MoM**. However, litho accounted for **33%** of total imports, above the typical range of **20-25%** [2]. - Strong demand for litho suggests sustainable expansion activities in the long term [2]. - **Deposition Equipment**: Imports reached **US$414 million**, up **8% YoY**, driven by other deposition (+72% YoY) and CVD (+24% YoY) [2]. - **Etch Equipment**: Imports were **US$428 million**, down **32% YoY** [2]. Import Sources - The Netherlands and Japan were the top exporters to China, holding **29%** and **28%** market shares, respectively [2]. - Imports from the US accounted for only **4%** of total SPE imports [2]. Major Import Transactions - In November, Shanghai imported **nine litho tools** from the Netherlands for a total of **US$494 million** (average selling price of **US$55 million** per unit) [3]. - Accumulated litho imports from the Netherlands in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangdong reached **US$3.2 billion**, with Shanghai showing a **71% YoY increase** [3]. Future Outlook - **WFE Spending Projections**: Expected growth of **10%** in 2026 and **1%** in 2027, following an **8%** growth in 2025, driven by advanced logic and memory capacity expansion projects [4]. - **Top Picks**: NAURA is highlighted as a key buy, with buy ratings also on AMEC and ACMR Shanghai [4]. Risks and Considerations - **Downside Risks**: Include potential macroeconomic downturns, geopolitical tensions, and slower-than-expected R&D progress [48]. - **Upside Risks**: Faster-than-expected demand recovery and aggressive capex plans from domestic fabs could enhance market conditions [48]. Conclusion - The analysis indicates a mixed but cautiously optimistic outlook for the semiconductor equipment sector in China, with significant regional demand and potential for growth in WFE spending, despite existing risks.

Core Insights - Camtek is a technology company focused on advanced inspection and metrology solutions for the semiconductor industry, supporting next-generation packaging and manufacturing processes [1] - The company reported record third-quarter revenue of $126 million, a 12% increase year over year, and expects full-year revenue of approximately $495 million, which is about 15% higher than last year's figures [5] Company Performance - Camtek's shares were priced at $109.14, reflecting a 30% increase over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which rose about 15% in the same period [2] - The company has non-GAAP operating margins near 30%, indicating strong operational efficiency [5] Market Activity - First Wilshire Securities Management sold 81,598 shares of Camtek during the third quarter, reducing its stake to 206,424 shares valued at $21.68 million, representing a 1.94% shift in the fund's total reportable assets under management [3][4] - The reduction in stake is viewed as a rational risk management strategy rather than a loss of confidence in Camtek's performance [6] Growth Drivers - Demand for AI-driven advanced packaging is identified as the core growth engine for Camtek, contributing to its strong revenue performance [5] - The company is well-positioned as a key supplier to leading chip manufacturers globally, leveraging its proprietary hardware and software platforms for high-precision inspection capabilities [1]