Header cover image

Expanding Operations And Decisive Partnerships Propel Future Growth In Advanced Packaging

WA
WarrenAINot Invested
Based on Analyst Price Targets

Published

November 07 2024

Updated

November 07 2024

Narratives are currently in beta

Key Takeaways

  • Shifts towards advanced packaging and testing services are expected to boost revenue and improve gross margins due to higher service complexity.
  • Strategic partnerships and overseas expansion are projected to drive long-term revenue growth and enhance operating leverage.
  • Rising expenses, competitive pressures, and demand shortfalls pose risks to margins and revenue growth, impacting ASE Technology's financial performance.

Catalysts

About ASE Technology Holding
    Provides semiconductors packaging and testing, and electronic manufacturing services in the United States, Taiwan, Asia, Europe, and internationally.
What are the underlying business or industry changes driving this perspective?
  • ASE Technology Holding is investing heavily in leading-edge advanced packaging and testing operations, expecting a doubling of related revenues for 2025, which should positively impact revenue and future growth.
  • The increasing shift towards advanced packaging and leading-edge services is anticipated to enhance revenue and improve gross margins due to higher ASPs and more complex service offerings.
  • Planned overseas expansion and new customer engagements are expected to drive higher revenue growth as the market for advanced semiconductor applications grows.
  • The growing proportion of business from the test segment, which is outpacing assembly services, is anticipated to support margin improvements due to higher margins associated with testing services.
  • Strategic partnerships and increasing demand for leading-edge technologies are projected to lead to higher revenue and operating leverage, which could enhance net margins and earnings stability over the long term.

ASE Technology Holding Earnings and Revenue Growth

ASE Technology Holding Future Earnings and Revenue Growth

Assumptions

How have these above catalysts been quantified?
  • Analysts are assuming ASE Technology Holding's revenue will grow by 10.9% annually over the next 3 years.
  • Analysts assume that profit margins will increase from 5.5% today to 9.4% in 3 years time.
  • Analysts expect earnings to reach NT$76.1 billion (and earnings per share of NT$17.6) by about November 2027, up from NT$32.5 billion today.
  • In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 12.3x on those 2027 earnings, down from 20.8x today. This future PE is lower than the current PE for the US Semiconductor industry at 30.6x.
  • Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to decline by 0.11% per year for the next 3 years.
  • To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 8.6%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

ASE Technology Holding Future Earnings Per Share Growth

ASE Technology Holding Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Risks

What could happen that would invalidate this narrative?
  • The financial results highlight an increase in operating expenses driven by labor, R&D, and administrative costs, which could impact net margins and earnings.
  • Increasing capital intensity and front-loaded investments in advanced production capabilities may not immediately translate into expected revenues, potentially affecting cash flow and financial returns.
  • The company acknowledges that the general demand recovery has not materialized as expected, with some business segments showing lackluster demand, which could impact revenue growth.
  • Competitive pressures in advanced packaging with partnerships and investments from competitors such as TSMC and Amkor could impact market share and profitability.
  • The EMS business faces challenges with earlier-than-expected seasonality, higher costs, and overseas expansion, which may lead to declining margins and affect overall earnings.

Valuation

How have all the factors above been brought together to estimate a fair value?
  • The analysts have a consensus price target of NT$168.69 for ASE Technology Holding based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of NT$212.5, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just NT$115.0.
  • In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2027, revenues will be NT$810.8 billion, earnings will come to NT$76.1 billion, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 12.3x, assuming you use a discount rate of 8.6%.
  • Given the current share price of NT$156.0, the analyst's price target of NT$168.69 is 7.5% higher. The relatively low difference between the current share price and the analyst consensus price target indicates that they believe on average, the company is fairly priced.
  • We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.

How well do narratives help inform your perspective?

Disclaimer

Warren A.I. is a tool utilizing a Large Language Model (LLM) that ingests data on consensus price targets, forecasted revenue and earnings figures, as well as the transcripts of earnings calls to produce qualitative analysis. The narratives produced by Warren A.I. are general in nature and are based solely on analyst data and publicly-available material published by the respective companies. These scenarios are not indicative of the company's future performance and are exploratory in nature. Simply Wall St has no position in the company(s) mentioned. The price targets and estimates used are consensus data, and do not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and they do not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. Note that Warren A.I.'s analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

Read more narratives

Fair Value
NT$168.7
8.1% undervalued intrinsic discount
WarrenAI's Fair Value
Future estimation in
PastFuture0200b400b600b800b2013201620192022202420252027Revenue NT$810.8bEarnings NT$76.1b
% p.a.
Decrease
Increase
Current revenue growth rate
11.31%
Semiconductors revenue growth rate
0.96%
Simply Wall Street Pty Ltd (ACN 600 056 611), is a Corporate Authorised Representative (Authorised Representative Number: 467183) of Sanlam Private Wealth Pty Ltd (AFSL No. 337927). Any advice contained in this website is general advice only and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should not rely on any advice and/or information contained in this website and before making any investment decision we recommend that you consider whether it is appropriate for your situation and seek appropriate financial, taxation and legal advice. Please read our Financial Services Guide before deciding whether to obtain financial services from us.