Board Comprises Senior Leaders with Innovation, Technology, and Industrial Sector Expertise Spin-Off On Track for Completion in the Fourth Quarter of 2025CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) today announced the future Board of Directors for Solstice Advanced Materials ("Solstice"), a pure-play specialty materials company that will be created following its planned spin-off from Honeywell. Solstice will hold leading market positions in refrigerants, semiconductor materials, ...

Performance Forecast - The company expects revenue for the first half of 2025 to be between 82.6 billion and 90.6 billion yuan, representing a growth of 3% to 13% compared to 80.224 billion yuan in the same period last year [1] - The net profit attributable to shareholders is projected to be between 1.8 billion and 2 billion yuan, showing an increase of 81% to 101% from 995 million yuan in the previous year [1] - The net profit after deducting non-recurring gains and losses is estimated to be between 1.5 billion and 1.65 billion yuan, a significant rise of 168% to 195% from 559 million yuan last year [1] - Basic earnings per share are expected to be between 0.0969 yuan and 0.1077 yuan, compared to 0.0535 yuan in the same period last year [1] Business Segments - The semiconductor display business is anticipated to achieve a net profit exceeding 4.6 billion yuan in the first half of 2025, with a year-on-year growth of over 70% [1] - The large-size display sector is benefiting from an optimized supply-side structure and stable product prices, leading to increased demand [1] - The mid-size segment is seeing significant growth in IT product sales and revenue, with continuous improvement in profitability [1] - The small-size OLED business is successfully implementing a high-end strategy, supplying differentiated products to major clients [1] Strategic Developments - The company is enhancing its display business layout and product structure to consolidate competitive advantages and improve profitability [1] - The acquisition of a 21.5311% stake in Shenzhen Huaxing Optoelectronic Semiconductor Technology Co., Ltd. was completed on July 1, 2025, further strengthening the company's competitive position [1] - TCL Zhonghuan is facing challenges due to price declines and inventory impairments, with an expected net loss of 1.2 billion to 1.35 billion yuan for the first half of 2025 [1] - Despite challenges, TCL Zhonghuan is focused on strategic implementation, operational improvements, cost control, and organizational changes to maintain positive operating cash flow [1]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a "Positive" investment rating for the semiconductor and semiconductor production equipment industry [11]. Core Insights - Since early 2025, the semiconductor sector has entered an adjustment period following a surge driven by AI, facing multiple challenges such as geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic uncertainties, which have hindered demand growth [4][7]. - Despite these challenges, the report suggests that the valuation pressure on semiconductor equipment and materials is limited, with expectations for improved performance and order fulfillment as domestic wafer manufacturing capabilities enhance [4][7]. Summary by Sections Market Overview - The semiconductor sector has transitioned from a valuation-driven logic to one focused on performance, with dynamic P/E ratios reflecting a normalization to mid-2024 levels [4][21]. - The semiconductor equipment and materials sectors are currently undervalued compared to the broader semiconductor sector, with dynamic P/E ratios at 12.5% and 63.2% percentile points respectively [4][21]. Industry Growth Drivers - Global semiconductor sales are projected to grow by 11.2% in 2025, with semiconductor equipment and materials expected to see sales growth rates of 7.7% and 8% respectively [8][29]. - The domestic demand for semiconductor equipment remains strong, driven by local foundries' expansion and the potential for domestic companies to capture market share from foreign competitors [8][47]. Company-Specific Insights - In the equipment sector, companies like North Huachuang are noted for their stable growth and market leadership, while firms in niche segments like Zhongke Feicai and Xinyuanwei are highlighted for their potential breakthroughs [9]. - In the materials sector, companies such as Anji Technology and Xingfu Electronics are recognized for successfully replacing domestic products and expanding into overseas markets [9]. Future Outlook - The report anticipates that the domestic semiconductor industry will continue to grow, with significant opportunities for local companies to replace foreign products and expand their market presence [8][47]. - The ongoing development of new production lines and technologies by leading domestic firms is expected to further enhance their competitive positioning in the global market [66].

Investment Rating - The report maintains an "Overweight" rating for the semiconductor sector, driven by AI demand recovery and ongoing domestic substitution trends [5]. Core Insights - The semiconductor industry has entered a recovery phase since the second half of 2023, with revenue and net profit growth expected to continue into 2024 and Q1 2025 [5][23]. - The overall revenue for the semiconductor sector in 2024 is projected to reach CNY 602.23 billion, a year-on-year increase of 21.10%, with net profit expected to be CNY 35.34 billion, up 12.82% [13]. - In Q1 2025, the sector is anticipated to generate revenue of CNY 128.13 billion, reflecting a 14.35% year-on-year growth, and net profit of CNY 7.90 billion, a 28.75% increase [13]. Summary by Sections Overall Industry Performance - The semiconductor sector is experiencing an overall upward trend, with both revenue and net profit showing year-on-year growth for 2024 and Q1 2025 [5][13]. - The first quarter of 2025, typically a slow season, is expected to show resilience due to strong demand for computing chips and recovering consumer chip demand [5][23]. Subsector Performance 1. **Semiconductor Equipment** - The semiconductor equipment sector is benefiting from ongoing domestic substitution, with 2024 revenue projected at CNY 71.85 billion, a 38.59% increase, and net profit at CNY 12.18 billion, up 22.76% [24]. - In Q1 2025, revenue is expected to reach CNY 17.88 billion, a 33.38% increase, with net profit of CNY 2.57 billion, up 24.12% [24]. 2. **Semiconductor Materials** - The semiconductor materials sector is projected to achieve revenue of CNY 40.94 billion in 2024, a 12.46% increase, but net profit is expected to decline by 23.90% to CNY 2.03 billion [41]. - In Q1 2025, revenue is anticipated to be CNY 10.41 billion, a 10.93% increase, with net profit expected to rise by 40.35% to CNY 0.67 billion [41]. 3. **Digital Chip Design** - The digital chip design sector is expected to see revenue of CNY 149.20 billion in 2024, a 28.17% increase, and net profit of CNY 13.60 billion, up 213.62% [53]. - In Q1 2025, revenue is projected at CNY 37.97 billion, a 20.27% increase, with net profit of CNY 3.26 billion, up 20.59% [53]. 4. **Analog Chip Design** - The analog chip design sector is showing signs of recovery, particularly in industrial and automotive applications, with revenue growth expected in the second half of 2024 [5]. 5. **Semiconductor Packaging and Testing** - The semiconductor packaging and testing sector is expected to show steady revenue growth, with major companies reporting improved performance in 2024 and Q1 2025 [5]. 6. **Discrete Devices** - The discrete devices sector is experiencing a weak recovery, with Q1 2025 profits expected to rebound due to improved demand from the automotive sector [5]. 7. **Integrated Circuit Manufacturing** - The integrated circuit manufacturing sector is projected to see a revenue increase of 15.89% in 2025, but net profit is expected to decline by 36.39% due to rising costs and competitive pressures [5][27]. Investment Recommendations - The report suggests focusing on sectors with strong growth potential, such as semiconductor equipment, materials, AI computing, and AI terminal chips, given the clear trends of AI penetration and domestic substitution [5].

Core Viewpoint - The semiconductor materials market is experiencing a recovery driven by AI industry growth, replenishment of memory chips, and expansion of wafer fabs, with the market size in mainland China expected to grow from 97.9 billion yuan in 2023 to an estimated 101.1 billion yuan in 2024 [3]. Group 1: Wafer Industry - The transition to 12-inch wafers is becoming mainstream, while 8-inch wafers still hold significant application advantages. The industry is nearing the end of inventory destocking, and demand from end markets is expected to drive a gradual recovery in the wafer industry [4]. Group 2: Electronic Specialty Gases - Electronic specialty gases are widely used in the integrated circuit field, with a significant oligopoly market dominated by companies from Europe, the United States, and Japan. China's domestic production rate for electronic specialty gases was only 14% in 2020, with expectations to rise to 25% by 2025 [5]. Group 3: Photomasks - Photomasks are critical materials in microelectronics manufacturing, with substantial room for domestic substitution as Chinese manufacturers gradually overcome technological challenges [6]. Group 4: Photoresists - Photoresists, essential for lithography processes, are seeing gradual progress in domestic production, although China still relies heavily on imports for KrF/ArF/EUV photoresists [7]. Group 5: Wet Electronic Chemicals - The wet electronic chemicals sector faces high technical barriers and rapid product updates, with increased demand driven by the expansion of wafer fab capacities [8]. Group 6: CMP Materials - Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) is a core technology in integrated circuit manufacturing, with significant room for domestic production in CMP materials, particularly in polishing liquids and pads, which account for over 80% of the CMP consumables market [9]. Group 7: Target Materials - The semiconductor manufacturing process has high purity requirements for sputtering target metals, with aluminum and titanium targets being predominant for mature processes, while copper and tantalum targets are preferred for advanced processes [10].