Solid FY24 results; Upgrade to BUY being key beneficiary in domestic localization

深南电路(002916)
    Shennan released its FY24 results. Revenue went up by 32.4% YoY toRMB17.9bn, 2%/7% above our estimate/BBG consensus. Net profit rose by34.3% YoY to RMB1.9bn, in-line with our estimate but 2% below BBG consensus.During the period, GPM was 24.8% (vs. 23.4% in FY23), showing gradualimprovement as demand recovered but offset by new factory ramp-up. We reviseup our revenue forecasts by 15%/21% for FY25/26E, reflecting 1) higherutilization (~90% for 1Q), 2) higher-than-expected DC/AI-related revenue asdomestic Cloud companies increase capex budget and 3) better auto PCBrevenue growth as high-end autonomous driving systems may have faster-thananticipated penetration. Meanwhile, we revise up our NP estimates by 12%/16%in FY25-26E, partially offset by lower GPM estimates considering the continuouscapacity ramp-up of Guangzhou factory with costs from equipment, labor and rawmaterials now recognized in COGS as production ramps up. Upgrade to BUY,with new TP of RMB146.81 (previous: RMB115), implying a NP CAGR of 28.5%and PEG of 1.1x during 2024-26E.
    PCB sales grew by 30% YoY to RMB10.5bn, driven by robust demand indata centers (20% YoY) and auto (~14% of total sales), despite a telecomdecline (contributing to less than 40% of total PCB sales in FY24). PCB GPMimproved to 31.6% in FY24, compared to 26.6% in FY23, reflecting highercapacity utilization and an enhanced product mix consisting of more AIrelated products. PCBA segment increased by 33.2% YoY, also driven byrobust data center and auto sales, with a stable GPM of 14.4%. We expectthe segment revenue to grow 25% YoY in 2025, driven by strong growth inDC/auto markets (domestic AI capex and higher penetration of autonomousdriving vehicles). We project GPM will be stable at current ~31% level.
    Substrate sales grew by 37.5% YoY to RMB3.2bn. The growth weightedmore towards 1H24 as demand was strong due to inventory restockingbehaviors. The segment experienced margin pressure (18.2% in FY24 vs.23.9% in FY23) due to capacity ramp-up, rising material costs (specificallygold price, which surged by more than 20% in 2H24, per mgmt.), and weakerBT substrate demand in 2H24. Excluding the impact of the initial capacityramp-up of Guangzhou factory, BT substrate’s GPM in 2H would have been2ppts lower compared to 1H (instead of 10ppts drop). We expect substraterevenue to grow by 18% YoY in 2025E, led by higher growth in memoryproducts as demand recovers. GPM may rise modestly to 19.5%, consideringthe ongoing ramp-up dilution, in our view.
    Upgrade to BUY, with new TP of RMB146.81. The new TP is based on 5-year avg. historical forward PE of 31.0x. We believe SCC performed betterthan expected during the sectoral downcycle. Looking forward, the companyis set to ride the tailwind of domestic localization with its leading position inPCB market and capacity addition from its FC-BGA substrate line.