U.S., Japan & Dutch versus China Chips & Memory looks to be in a long downturn

U.S., Japan & Dutch versus China Chips & Memory looks to be in a long downturn
by Robert Maire on 02-01-2023 at 2:00 pm

US Japan China

-US, Japan & Dutch agree to embargo some China chip equip
-Goes beyond just leading edge & will increase negative impact
-China might catch up in decades or invade Taiwan tomorrow
-Why the memory downturn could be longer than expected

Ganging up on China

It appears that the US has put together a coalition of the US, Japan and… Read More


Samsung Ugly as Expected Profits off 69% Winning a Game of CAPEX Chicken

Samsung Ugly as Expected Profits off 69% Winning a Game of CAPEX Chicken
by Robert Maire on 01-09-2023 at 6:00 am

Samsung 2022

-Samsung off the same chip cliff as Micron- “No skid marks”
-Samsung may be winning at a game of “Capex Chicken”
-No expectation of recovery any time soon – Consumers weak
-2023 a write off- Recovery will be delayed if spending isn’t

Samsungs worst quarter in 8 years no surprise

Samsung pre… Read More


AMAT – Backlog buffers downcycle- still fighting shortages – WFE down in 2023

AMAT – Backlog buffers downcycle- still fighting shortages – WFE down in 2023
by Robert Maire on 11-21-2022 at 6:00 am

Applied Materials

-AMAT put up good numbers despite slowing cycle
-Growing backlog will help them manage declining orders
-Parts shortages still haunt but improving for 2-4 more quarters
-2023 will be down- too early to tell how much- 2024 who knows

Good numbers but already adjusted for China

Applied put up revenue of $6.7B and EPS of $2.03 versus … Read More


KLAC- Strong QTR and Guide but Backlog mutes China and Economic Impact

KLAC- Strong QTR and Guide but Backlog mutes China and Economic Impact
by Robert Maire on 10-30-2022 at 5:00 pm

KLA SemiWiki 2022

-KLA great quarter & guide as backlog mutes China/Economy
-Patterning starts to catch up to wafer inspection outperform
-China impact is limited to leading edge & specific customers
-Cuts in memory capex less impactful on KLA

KLAC reports strong quarter and good guide

Revenues were $2.7B with EPS of $7.06 versus street… Read More


LRCX down from here – 2023 down more than 20% due to China and Downcycle

LRCX down from here – 2023 down more than 20% due to China and Downcycle
by Robert Maire on 10-27-2022 at 10:00 am

Lam Research USA Chips

-Lam reports good quarter that is high water mark for cycle
-2023 WFE to be down more than 20%- Cuts spending & Hiring
-If we back out deferred rev outlook would be down for Dec
-Memory already Down & China down $2-$2.5B in 2023

Lam reports good quarter but likely peak of current cycle with clear drop

Lam reported revenues of … Read More


Is ASML Immune from China Impact?

Is ASML Immune from China Impact?
by Robert Maire on 10-21-2022 at 10:00 am

ASML China Immunity

-ASML has great QTR & Outlook & Huge Euro8.9B orders
-Relatively immune from China due to mainly non leading edge
-Monster Euro38B backlog – 60EUV & 375DUV systems in 2023
-5% China risk to 2023- still mainly supply constrained

ASML proves litho’s place at Apex of semiconductor food chain

ASML announced… Read More


Has KLA lost its way?

Has KLA lost its way?
by Robert Maire on 05-01-2022 at 6:00 am

KLA SPIE 2022

-KLA has another great QTR in face of overwhelming demand
-Supply chain issues obliterated by backlog
-Longer term technology leadership concerns are increasing
-We see limited upside near term & remain cyclically cautious

Another great quarter- demand remains super strong

KLA’s performance remains great as does… Read More


AMAT – Supply Constraints continue & Backlog Builds- Almost sold out for 2022

AMAT – Supply Constraints continue & Backlog Builds- Almost sold out for 2022
by Robert Maire on 02-20-2022 at 6:00 am

Applied Materials

-Production constraints push backlog up $1.3B to $8B
-Looks like $100B in WFE 2022 VS $80B in 2021
-Almost sold out for 2022- Could lead to continued growth 2023
-Insp/metrology up 68% Y/Y- Expect steady growth in 2022

Can’t keep up with demand….

Revenue came in at $6.27B and NonGAAP EPS of $1.89. A very slight beat of … Read More


LRCX- Supply Chain Catches up with Lam- Gets worse before better- Demand solid

LRCX- Supply Chain Catches up with Lam- Gets worse before better- Demand solid
by Robert Maire on 01-30-2022 at 6:00 am

Lam Research

-Supply chain issues finally catch up to Lam- Ongoing issue
-Problem from one main supplier to spread to more
-Causes low December Quarter and soft guide for March
-Quarters could be lumpy due to differed & revenue push outs

Lam Stews over supply Chain Issues

It sucks when you have all the demand in the world but can’t build… Read More


Supply Chain Breaks Under Strain Causes Miss, Weak Guide, Repairs Needed

Supply Chain Breaks Under Strain Causes Miss, Weak Guide, Repairs Needed
by Robert Maire on 11-21-2021 at 8:00 am

Applied Materials

-AMAT -Supply chain can’t keep up with expanding business
-May be longer term issue which will limit upside
-Being tough on vendors may have come back to bite Applied
-Fixing supply chain will likely take longer than the current cycle

Supply Chain issues come home to roost

Applied Materials missed on both earnings and revenues… Read More