Spotlight Stocks: Japanese Semiconductor Sector Breaks Out Against the Trend, 00954 and 00951 Surge Nearly 4% Midday

Market estimates suggest that the wafer fabrication equipment market is experiencing strong growth momentum, driven by demand for AI chips, HBM, and advanced packaging. Institutional analysts note that the Japanese semiconductor index has clearly outperformed the broader market since 2023, indicating sustained investor focus on the AI supply chain. Although short-term price movements may fluctuate due to market sentiment, the medium- to long-term business outlook for the sector remains promising. Among Japan-themed ETFs listed in Taiwan, performance diverged sharply today (9th), with CTBC Japan Semiconductor (00954-TW) and Taishin Japan Semiconductor (00951-TW) both surging nearly 4% midday, demonstrating strong rebound momentum.

On August 8, U.S. equity markets showed mixed results, with the Nasdaq and Philadelphia Semiconductor Index closing higher, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 both declined. Boosted by strength in U.S. tech stocks, Asian markets broadly rebounded on the 9th, with Japan's Nikkei 225 briefly rising over 2%. While sector performance varied, semiconductor stocks stood out the most, signaling a recovery in market risk appetite and renewed capital inflows into related industries.

According to a Goldman Sachs report, the global wafer fabrication equipment market is expected to grow by 32% by 2027. Tokyo Electron is expected to benefit from rising demand for DRAM and advanced process equipment; Lasertec from continued growth in EUV mask inspection demand; and Disco from increasing penetration of advanced packaging technologies such as CoWoS, HBM, and Hybrid Bonding. As AI infrastructure continues to expand, these companies are expected to continue benefiting from rising equipment demand driven by the AI investment cycle and upward earnings revisions.

Hsu Chia-yu, portfolio manager of 00954, stated that Japan has become an indispensable strategic hub in the global semiconductor supply chain due to its strengths in semiconductor equipment and materials. For example, Disco recently released preliminary first-quarter revenue and shipment figures, with shipments hitting a record high, driven by increased procurement demand from OSAT packaging and testing firms and memory manufacturers. Beyond equipment sales growth, consumables and after-sales service businesses have also maintained stable performance. The company is expected to continue benefiting from trends toward more precise manufacturing processes and expanding demand for advanced packaging.

Hsu further noted that financial reports and business outlooks from Japanese semiconductor equipment and materials firms show no clear signs of an industry downturn, with fundamentals remaining robust. However, considering potential market sentiment shifts and the impact of deleveraging on short-term volatility, investors are advised to adopt a dollar-cost averaging strategy when investing in Japanese semiconductor-related assets, to mitigate timing risks and capture long-term industry growth trends.

*Disclaimer: The stocks, funds, and futures products mentioned in this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Investors should make independent judgments, carefully assess risks, and bear their own profits and losses.