Summary of SanDisk Corporation Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: SanDisk Corporation (SNDK.O) - **Industry**: Semiconductors - **Market Cap**: $30,011 million - **Price Target**: Increased from $230.00 to $263.00 Key Financial Highlights - **Recent Performance**: - Revenue for the quarter was $2.308 billion, up 21.4% quarter-over-quarter and 22.6% year-over-year, exceeding expectations of $2.152 billion and $2.105 billion respectively [14][19] - Non-GAAP EPS was $1.22, significantly above the Street estimate of $0.88 and the prior estimate of $0.85 [14][19] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 29.9%, ahead of the Street's expectation of 29.0% [14][19] Market Dynamics - **NAND Market Strength**: - The strength in the NAND market is expected to continue, driven by enterprise demand, with guidance for pricing to increase by double digits quarter-over-quarter in December [3][9] - SanDisk anticipates mid-40s percent year-over-year growth in enterprise SSD in 2026, aligning with previous growth expectations of 40-50% [4][10] Supply and Demand Outlook - **Supply Constraints**: - SanDisk confirmed that its investment plans remain unchanged, indicating supply growth will lag behind demand in 2026 [11] - The company is positioned to be selective with its product mix, focusing on high-margin markets due to limited inventory in the NAND sector [12] Future Guidance - **December Quarter Outlook**: - Sales are guided to $2.6 billion, above the Street estimate of $2.362 billion, with a non-GAAP gross margin expected at 42.0% [15][16] - Non-GAAP EPS for the December quarter is projected at $3.20, significantly above the Street estimate of $1.82 [15][16] Investment Thesis - **Positive Market Conditions**: - The current memory upcycle is expected to last, with both demand and supply conditions favorable for pricing increases [17] - SanDisk's stock is viewed as undervalued with a single-digit P/E multiple on peak earnings potential, suggesting significant upside as enterprise SSD demand grows [17][18] Risks and Considerations - **Potential Risks**: - Risks include the possibility of NAND industry growth disappointing and potential loss of market share if SanDisk fails to gain traction in the datacenter segment [33] - The balance sheet is improving, with SanDisk moving into a net cash position, which could lead to future capital returns [13] Conclusion - SanDisk Corporation is positioned for strong growth in the NAND market, with robust demand from enterprise SSDs and a favorable pricing environment. The company's recent financial performance has exceeded expectations, and future guidance remains optimistic, supporting an increased price target and an overweight rating.

Summary of the Conference Call on HDD & SSD Shipment Volumes Industry Overview - The conference focused on the electronic components industry in Japan, specifically the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive) markets for data centers (DCs) [1][2] Key Points Shipment Volumes - Shipment volumes of NL HDDs and Enterprise SSDs for data centers have shown a recovery after bottoming out in Q3 2023, with NL HDDs at 8.95 million units and Enterprise SSDs at 9.0 million units [3] - Projections indicate a rise to 16.53 million units for NL HDDs and 14.2 million for Enterprise SSDs in Q4 2024, followed by a slight decline in Q1 2025 [3] - For 2025, NL HDD shipments are expected to reach 66.58 million units (+13.7% YoY) and Enterprise SSDs to 54.20 million units (+8.4% YoY) [4] Production and Capacity - The total shipment volume for NL HDDs is projected at 1,349 Exabytes (EB) in 2025 (+28.9% YoY) and 195 EB for Enterprise SSDs (+17.8% YoY) [4] - The average capacity per NL HDD is expected to increase by 15.6% to 20.70TB in 2025, driven by advancements in recording density technologies [4] Market Dynamics - The GB cost for Enterprise SSDs is projected to be 7.9 times higher than NL HDDs in 2025, indicating a continued segmentation in usage based on cost and access speeds [12] - WDC (Western Digital Corporation) is expected to gain market share in NL HDDs, with projections of 46.3% market share in 2025, up from 39.2% in 2023 [13] Bottlenecks and Challenges - The bottleneck in increasing NL HDD output is attributed to testing capacity limitations and shortages in media and head supplies [14] - The transition to higher capacity HDDs (24-26TB) is pushing the limits of existing testing tools, complicating production ramp-up [14] SSD Shipments by Application - SSD shipments for various applications are showing growth, with Enterprise SSDs expected to grow by 11.3% YoY and PC SSDs by 8.1% YoY [15] - The total SSD shipment volume is projected to reach 32.61 million units, reflecting a 10.2% YoY increase [15] Additional Insights - The production volume of HDD heads has not kept pace with the demand, with a significant drop from the peak in 2021 [14] - The market is expected to see a mild growth in average unit prices for NL HDDs due to balanced supply and demand conditions [14] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the conference call regarding the HDD and SSD markets, highlighting trends in shipment volumes, production capacity, market dynamics, and challenges faced by the industry.

Core Insights - The demand in the consumer market was overdrawn in the first half of the year, leading to a weaker-than-expected peak season in the second half, with forecasts for Q4 2025 indicating price stabilization. However, HDD supply shortages and long lead times have shifted CSPs' storage demand towards QLC Enterprise SSDs, resulting in a surge of urgent orders and significant market volatility [1] - SanDisk announced a 10% price increase, while Micron paused pricing due to capacity considerations, shifting the supply-side sentiment from conservative to positive. Consequently, NAND Flash contract prices are expected to rise across all product categories in Q4, with an average increase of 5-10% [1][2] Supply Side Analysis - NAND Flash supply has improved due to production cuts and inventory reduction in the first half of the year, alleviating price pressures. Most manufacturers are focusing capital expenditures on advanced process upgrades to optimize cost structures and concentrate on high-margin products, reducing price competition and supporting prices [4] - QLC products are widely used in SSDs due to their cost advantages, particularly driven by the demand for massive data storage from generative AI, prompting manufacturers to focus on QLC capacity [4] Demand Side Analysis - In the second half of the year, NAND Flash demand is affected by weakened consumer purchasing power and a slowdown in OEM procurement, with significant machine inventory in the channel awaiting clearance. However, the demand for Enterprise SSDs has surged due to server OEMs and CSPs actively clearing inventory and the upcoming release of NVIDIA's new Blackwell chips in the second half of 2025, maintaining positive overall demand for NAND Flash [4] Client SSD Market - Client SSD manufacturers have significantly reduced inventory levels through production cuts and supply strategy adjustments, leading to a more balanced market. The high demand for cost-effective large-capacity QLC products further supports this demand [5] Enterprise SSD Market - SSD suppliers are reassessing order volumes for products exceeding 120TB due to a surge in customer demand and are strategically increasing the production ratio of QLC Flash to meet market changes. Current market conditions indicate that supplier inventory levels have fallen below healthy standards, with a tightening supply expected to drive up prices in Q4 [6] eMMC/UFS Market - In the context of a profit-oriented NAND Flash supply chain, eMMC/UFS products face weak demand and intense competition from local manufacturers in the Chinese market, giving domestic smartphone brands greater bargaining power. With module manufacturers holding high inventory levels, price competition may further compress price increases, although manufacturers are expected to raise prices in Q4 to recover losses [7] NAND Flash Wafer Supply - NAND Flash wafer manufacturers are experiencing a temporary decline in output due to production line adjustments during process transitions. To compensate for previous losses, manufacturers are prioritizing high-margin product lines, further tightening wafer supply to module manufacturers. With ongoing enterprise AI investment momentum, supply is expected to remain tight, contributing to price increases in Q4 [9]

Core Insights - The article highlights a significant shift in the NAND Flash market due to supply shortages and increased demand from cloud service providers, leading to a price increase in Q4 2025 [2][5][10] Supply and Demand Dynamics - NAND Flash supply has improved due to production cuts and inventory reduction in the first half of 2025, alleviating price pressures [5] - The demand for QLC (Quad-Level Cell) SSDs is rising, driven by the need for high-capacity storage in generative AI applications [5][6] - Despite weak consumer demand and excess inventory in the channel, enterprise SSD demand is expected to grow due to increased orders from server OEMs and CSPs [6][8] Price Trends - NAND Flash contract prices are projected to rise by an average of 5-10% in Q4 2025, following a 3-8% increase in Q3 2025 [3] - SanDisk and Micron have announced price increases, indicating a shift in the supply-side sentiment from conservative to positive [2][5] Product Segmentation - Client SSDs have seen a significant reduction in inventory levels, leading to a more balanced supply-demand situation [7] - Enterprise SSD suppliers are adjusting their production strategies to meet the growing demand for high-capacity products, particularly those exceeding 120TB [8] - eMMC/UFS products are facing weak demand and intense competition from local manufacturers, which may limit price increases despite manufacturers' efforts to recover losses [9] Manufacturing Adjustments - NAND Flash wafer manufacturers are prioritizing high-margin product lines, which may lead to tighter supply and further price increases in Q4 2025 [10]

Group 1: Enterprise SSD Market - The revenue of the top five enterprise SSD brands reached over $5.1 billion in Q2 2025, showing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 12.7% [2][3] - Samsung led the market with a revenue of $1,899 million, holding a market share of 34.6%, although it experienced a slight increase of 0.5% compared to the previous quarter [3] - SK Group (SK hynix + Solidigm) saw significant growth with a revenue increase of 47.1%, reaching $1,461.7 million and capturing a market share of 26.7% [3] Group 2: Smartphone Production - Global smartphone production reached 300 million units in Q2 2025, reflecting a quarter-over-quarter increase of approximately 4% and a year-over-year increase of 4.8% [4][5] - Oppo and Transsion brands contributed to the recovery in production after inventory adjustments, indicating a positive trend in the market despite ongoing economic challenges [4] Group 3: Micro LED Technology - The penetration of Micro LED technology in consumer electronics is accelerating, with significant products like the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro smartwatch expected to adopt this technology by 2025 [7] - The Micro LED chip market is projected to grow to $461 million by 2029, driven by the introduction of key products in various sectors [7] Group 4: Electric Vehicle Inverter Market - The global installation of electric vehicle traction inverters reached 7.66 million units in Q2 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 19% [10] - Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 52% of the installed inverters, surpassing hybrid vehicles for the second consecutive quarter [10]

Core Insights - The NAND Flash industry is experiencing significant revenue growth, with the top five brands achieving a combined revenue increase of over 20% in Q2, reaching $14.67 billion [1] Group 1: Revenue Performance - Samsung's revenue increased by 23.8% in Q2, reaching $5.2 billion, driven by strong demand for Enterprise SSDs from AI servers, resulting in a slight market share increase to 32.9% [1] - SK Group, including SK hynix and Solidigm, reported a record revenue of nearly $3.34 billion in Q2, a 52.5% increase, with market share rising from 16.6% to 21.1% [2] - Kioxia's revenue reached approximately $2.14 billion in Q2, an 11.4% increase, supported by strong AI server demand and normalization of inventory levels for PC and smartphone clients [2] - Micron's revenue grew by 3.7% in Q2 to $2.1 billion, despite a decline in average selling prices, with significant growth in shipment volumes [2] - SanDisk's revenue increased by 12.2% in Q2 to $1.9 billion, benefiting from channel price recovery and inventory replenishment in Client SSDs and retail products [3] Group 2: Market Trends - The NAND Flash industry is expected to face a slight decline in average selling prices (ASP) in Q2 2025, but production cuts by manufacturers are helping to alleviate supply-demand imbalances [1] - Demand is anticipated to stabilize in Q3 due to the diminishing effects of subsidy policies in China and reduced stocking by manufacturers, although ASPs may see a slight recovery [1]

Core Insights - The NAND Flash industry experienced a slight decline in average selling prices (ASP) in Q2 2025, but a reduction in production by manufacturers helped alleviate supply-demand imbalances, leading to a significant increase in overall shipments. The top five brands collectively saw a revenue increase of 22%, reaching $14.67 billion [2][5]. Revenue and Market Share Analysis - Samsung led the market with a revenue of $5.2 billion in Q2 2025, a quarter-over-quarter increase of 23.8%, capturing a market share of 32.9% [3][6]. - SK Group, which includes SK hynix and Solidigm, achieved a record revenue of $3.34 billion, up 52.5% from the previous quarter, increasing its market share to 21.1% [3][6]. - Kioxia reported revenue of $2.14 billion, an 11.4% increase, benefiting from strong demand for AI servers and a normalization of inventory levels for PCs and smartphones [3][6]. - Micron's revenue reached $2.1 billion, a modest increase of 3.7%, with a slight decline in market share to 13.3%, although it achieved record market shares in Client SSD and Data Center SSD segments [3][7]. - SanDisk's revenue grew by 12.2% to $1.9 billion, supported by a recovery in channel prices and inventory replenishment, but it lagged behind competitors in the Enterprise SSD market [3][7]. Future Outlook - In Q3 2025, demand is expected to stabilize as the effects of subsidy policies in China wane and inventory buildup by manufacturers decreases. Although ASPs may see a slight recovery, overall revenue growth in the NAND Flash industry is anticipated to slow down [5].

Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor industry is experiencing growth, with TI expanding production to meet future demand and storage prices continuing to rise [3][5]. Group 1: Market Overview - In June 2025, the SW semiconductor index rose by 5.96%, underperforming the electronic industry by 2.90 percentage points but outperforming the CSI 300 index by 3.46 percentage points [3][11]. - The Philadelphia semiconductor index increased by 16.57%, while the Taiwan semiconductor index rose by 8.15% [3][11]. - Among semiconductor sub-industries, integrated circuit packaging and testing (+9.24%), discrete devices (+8.18%), and semiconductor equipment (+7.05%) had the highest growth rates [3][11]. Group 2: Industry Data Update - Global semiconductor sales in May 2025 reached $58.98 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 19.8% and a quarter-on-quarter increase of 3.5% [7][26]. - In May, both DRAM and NAND Flash contract prices increased, with DRAM prices rising from $1.65 to $2.10 and NAND Flash prices from $2.79 to $2.92 [28][29]. - The sales of major enterprise SSD brands decreased in the first quarter of 2025, but a recovery is expected in the second quarter [7][28]. Group 3: Investment Strategy - The semiconductor heavy holdings in the 1025 fund accounted for 12.0% of the total, reflecting a 0.6 percentage point increase [6][19]. - The top five semiconductor heavy holdings in the 1025 fund saw a decrease in their combined share from 63.8% to 52.8% [19][23]. - The valuation of the SW semiconductor index is at 84.24x PE (TTM), which is at the 64.82% percentile since 2019 [15][19].

Core Viewpoint - The NAND Flash market is experiencing improved supply-demand balance due to production cuts and inventory reduction, with expectations for price increases in various segments in Q3 2025 [1][4][5]. NAND Flash Market Overview - The NAND Flash market has seen a significant improvement in supply-demand balance following production cuts and inventory reduction in the first half of 2025 [1]. - Major manufacturers are shifting production capacity to high-margin products, leading to a reduction in market supply [1]. Price Forecasts - Average contract prices for NAND Flash are expected to increase by 5% to 10% in Q3 2025, with specific segments showing varied growth rates [2]. - eMMC and UFS products are projected to have limited price increases due to uncertain smartphone demand, with expected growth of 0% to 5% [2][6]. Client SSD Market Dynamics - The Client SSD market is experiencing inventory replenishment, driven by better-than-expected inventory reduction in the first half of the year [4]. - Factors such as the end of Windows 10 support, new CPU launches, and demand from Chinese DeepSeek all contribute to increased Client SSD demand, with price forecasts of a 3% to 8% increase in Q3 2025 [4][5]. Enterprise SSD Demand - The demand for Enterprise SSDs is expected to grow due to rising orders from North American general-purpose servers and strong orders from Chinese clients [5]. - However, supply chain challenges may hinder delivery capabilities, leading to a price increase of 5% to 10% for Enterprise SSDs in Q3 2025 [5]. Mobile Product Segment - The demand for eMMC and UFS products is expected to remain flat, with eMMC prices projected to increase by 0% to 5% due to sufficient supply and rising costs for module manufacturers [6]. - UFS demand is also limited by uncertain smartphone market conditions, with a similar price forecast of 0% to 5% increase [6]. Wafer Supply and Pricing - The overall NAND Flash production is declining, and manufacturers are focusing on high-margin products, leading to an expected price increase of 8% to 13% for wafers in Q3 2025 [6].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses significant developments in the semiconductor industry, highlighting investments, market trends, and technological advancements that could impact future growth and competition in the sector [8][10][12]. Investment and Policy Developments - Guangzhou Development Zone and Huangpu District have introduced policies to support the domestic production of semiconductor manufacturing materials and equipment, encouraging the development of high-end semiconductor materials [8]. - The U.S. semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed has announced bankruptcy, while Texas Instruments plans to invest over $60 billion in building seven semiconductor factories in the U.S. [9][12]. - South Korea's government plans to invest over 16 trillion KRW (approximately $11.56 billion) over the next five years to enhance its AI infrastructure [10]. Market Trends and Supply Chain Dynamics - Samsung is reducing DDR4 supply, leading to a potential shortage that may last until Q3 2025, with prices for DDR4 components significantly increasing [17]. - CounterPoint Research reports that the domestic market share of Chinese automotive remote communication control units (TCUs) is expected to reach 58% by Q1 2025, with a 16% year-on-year sales growth [11]. - The average price of enterprise SSDs has dropped by nearly 20% in Q1 2025 due to reduced orders from major clients, impacting the revenue of leading SSD manufacturers [18]. Technological Advancements - The Chinese Academy of Sciences has made breakthroughs in high thermal conductivity graphite films, which could support thermal management in 5G chips and power semiconductors [20]. - A new ultra-high parallel optical computing integrated chip has been developed, achieving significant advancements in photon computing capabilities [20]. Company-Specific Developments - Intel plans to cut up to 20% of its factory workforce, which may affect its core business operations significantly [12]. - NIO is restructuring its chip business into an independent entity, named Anhui Shenji Technology Co., Ltd., to attract strategic investors [14]. - Japan Display (JDI) has approved a plan to spin off its automotive business to focus on semiconductor-related technologies [16].