Summary of Semiconductor Production Equipment Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Semiconductor Production Equipment (SPE) - **Region**: Japan - **Industry View**: Attractive [1] Key Insights - **Market Forecast**: The SEAJ updated its forecast for Japan's semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing equipment market, predicting a growth of 2% for F3/26 and 10% for F3/27 [13] - **Sales Projections**: - Total SPE sales for the year ending March 2026 are estimated at ¥5,124.9 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 10% [15] - Wafer Process Equipment sales are projected at ¥3,648.9 billion for the same period, also showing a 10% increase [15] - **WFE Revenue Trends**: - WFE revenue is expected to reach ¥109,058 million in 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 6% [12] - Total semiconductor revenue is forecasted to be ¥710,095 million in 2025, with a 13% increase from the previous year [12] Company-Specific Insights - **Tokyo Electron**: - Price target raised due to improved sentiment in the front-end SPE market [14] - **DISCO**: - Non-consolidated sales increased by 10.1% year-on-year to ¥75.4 billion for Apr-Jun 2025, exceeding guidance [24] - Demand for SiC device applications is accelerating, with strong shipments reported for Taiwan OSAT and China [25] - **Advantest**: - Anticipated strong demand for AI GPU testers and a significant increase in F3/26 guidance due to robust sales [30] - **Screen Holdings**: - Recommended as an Overweight (OW) due to high operating rates and attractive share price [28] Market Dynamics - **AI Demand**: The computation required for AI is increasing exponentially, driving demand for semiconductor production equipment [6] - **China's Capex Resumption**: Chinese manufacturers are resuming capital expenditures towards the second half of 2025, although risks remain due to US restrictions [27] - **Back-End Equipment Demand**: There is a booming demand for back-end equipment, particularly for generative AI HBM devices [27] Risks and Considerations - **Downside Risks**: - Sluggish global demand for electronics and prolonged corrections in the semiconductor market due to high inflation and US-China trade tensions [56][66] - **Upside Risks**: - Stronger-than-expected recovery in smartphone demand and semiconductor investments could drive growth [60][65] Conclusion The semiconductor production equipment industry in Japan is poised for growth, driven by advancements in technology and increasing demand for AI-related applications. Companies like Tokyo Electron, DISCO, and Advantest are well-positioned to benefit from these trends, although potential risks from geopolitical tensions and market corrections remain.

Investment Rating - The industry investment rating is Attractive [6]. Core Insights - Taiwan has added Huawei and SMIC to its export control list, requiring government permission for Taiwanese firms to conduct business with these companies, marking a significant regulatory shift [3][8]. - The report highlights Disco and Advantest as key players in the back-end semiconductor production equipment (SPE) market, which is less exposed to regulatory risks compared to front-end processes [8][10]. - There is an ongoing trend in China to promote domestic production of SPE, particularly for front-end processes, although the report suggests that China will eventually achieve self-sufficiency in high-performance components [4][9]. Summary by Sections Export Controls and Market Dynamics - Taiwan's Bureau of Foreign Trade updated its entity list, adding major Chinese firms, which may lead to similar actions by other US allies [3]. - The report emphasizes the need to monitor potential export restrictions from US allies on Japanese SPE [8]. Back-End Equipment Focus - The back-end process equipment is simpler and has seen successful localization in China, reducing the impact of export restrictions [9]. - Disco and Advantest are highlighted for their strong market positions and engineering capabilities, which allow them to maintain high market shares in China [10]. Company Ratings and Price Targets - Advantest is rated Overweight with a target price of ¥10,300 based on expected earnings growth [17]. - Disco is also rated Overweight with a target P/E of 25.1x, reflecting its strong growth potential [14].