Summary of Hua Hong (1347.HK) Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: Hua Hong - **Industry**: Semiconductor foundry focusing on specialty technologies Key Points and Arguments Capacity Expansion - Hua Hong is actively expanding its capacity, particularly with the ramp-up of Fab 9, which is expected to reach full capacity by mid-2026. The designed capacity for Fab 9 is 83,000 wafers per month, with half already operational [2][19] - A new fab is planned to start contributing capacities in 2027, focusing on 28nm technology [2] - The acquisition of 12'' Fab 5 from its sister company is expected to enhance Hua Hong's capabilities and reduce internal competition [2] Financial Projections - Revenue is projected to grow by 22% year-over-year, reaching approximately US$2.4 billion in 2025 [1] - Gross margin is expected to recover from 9.2% in 1Q25 to 12.0% in 4Q25, with net income projected to increase to US$82 million in 2025, up from US$58 million in 2024 [1][3] - Earnings estimates for 2027-2029 have been revised upwards by 1% to 4% due to a more positive outlook on long-term growth opportunities [3] Valuation and Price Target - The target price for Hua Hong is set at HK$77.0, based on a 2028E target P/E of 45.7x, reflecting a 13% increase from previous estimates [8][17] - The valuation is supported by a correlation between peers' P/E ratios and earnings growth, with Hua Hong's average EPS growth projected at 31% for 2028-2029 [8][17] Risks - Key risks include weaker-than-expected end-market demand, slower ramp-up of the 12" fab, and uncertainties surrounding US-China trade relations [18] Investment Thesis - Hua Hong is well-positioned due to its diversified specialty technologies and improvements in product mix, shifting towards more advanced nodes (28nm/40nm) [20] - The company is expected to benefit from increasing domestic demand and improved average selling prices (ASP) [20] Financial Metrics - Projected revenues and net income for 2025E are US$2.444 billion and US$82 million, respectively [8][14] - Gross margin is expected to improve to 10.9% in 2025E, with operating income projected to recover to US$50 million [8][14] Additional Important Information - The company is focusing on various end-markets, including consumer electronics, communication, computing, industrial, and automotive sectors [20] - The ongoing capacity expansions are seen as a strategic move to prepare for future technology and product growth, despite potential short-term impacts on profitability [1][2] This summary encapsulates the key insights from the conference call regarding Hua Hong's strategic initiatives, financial outlook, and market positioning.

Investment Rating - The report maintains a Neutral rating for Hua Hong, with a 12-month target price of HK$40.9, indicating a relatively lower upside potential from the current price of HK$35.65, which translates to an upside of 14.7% [1][12]. Core Insights - Hua Hong's management is optimistic about operations, reporting that utilization (UT) rates across major fabs are at 100% or above, driven by strong demand in power discrete, microcontrollers (MCUs), and power management integrated circuits (PMICs) [1][3]. - The company has begun to implement price increases for both 8-inch and 12-inch products, anticipating that this will enhance gross margins in the upcoming quarters [2][11]. - Capacity expansion is ongoing, with plans to ramp up the second 12-inch fab to 83,000 wafers per month (wpm) and potential future capacities at 28nm and 22nm [4][11]. Pricing Outlook - The pricing strategy is set to improve, with management confident in the ability to raise prices due to solid demand, which is expected to positively impact gross margins [2][11]. Utilization Rates - Management reports full loading across its fabs, except for the new fab that is in the ramp-up phase, with a noted recovery in demand for power discrete products and sustained demand for PMICs related to AI applications [3][11]. Capacity Expansion Plans - The second 12-inch fab is being ramped up, with expectations to achieve positive gross margins once it surpasses 50,000 wpm of loading, while the first 12-inch fab is already achieving positive gross margins [4][8]. Financial Projections - Revenue projections for the next few years indicate growth, with expected revenues of $2,004 million in 2024, increasing to $3,910.5 million by 2027 [12].