Semiconductor OSAT stocks

Discussion in 'Stocks' started by 777, Oct 20, 2021.

  1. 777

    777

    Thoughts on stocks like AMKR.and.ASX?

    OSAT = Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2021
  2. fan27

    fan27

    Their charts do not currently look good...there are plenty of other stocks in nice uptrends right now.
     
  3. The bottleneck in semiconductor capacity is in wafer manufacturing, not in assembly and test. Which is why companies like Amkor do not really profit from the current market upheaval.
     
    777 likes this.
  4. 777

    777

    Thank you.

    If inflation runs hot for two or more years, how do you see that affecting these stocks?
     
  5. maxinger

    maxinger

    wafer fab requires a very heavy investment & operating cost is very high.



    assembly and test require relatively low investment.
    the operating cost is just a tiny fraction of the wafer fab operating cost.
    It is relatively easy to expand the operation and can be done in many countries.


    definitely, when the wafer fab operation expands, assembly and test operation will also expand.


    but don't expect a spectacular performance from semiconductor assembly and test stocks.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2021
    777 likes this.
  6. Inflation? You and I don't go to shops to buy semiconductors and complain that the prices are increasing. What you do do is to buy stuff which contain semiconductors (phones, cars, computers, fridges, etc). Will you buy less of those due to inflation? That's the question you'll need to answer, and I don't have the answer to that.
     
    777 likes this.
  7. Indeed. And it is a slow process: building a new fab, installing all equipment and get it running profitably takes easily 2 ~ 3 years. Invest a few $B today, and have a suitable location already available, and the wafers start coming out in Q4 2023, or early 2024.
    Building back-end capacity (assembly&test) is much faster and thus can respond quicker to changes in front end capacity.
     
    777 likes this.
  8. 777

    777

    @maxinger and @HobbyTrading are giving me quite and education. Thank you!

    Do either of you have thoughts specially on Amkor (AMKR)?
     
  9. You're welcome. I used to work in the semiconductor industry (not anymore though). My comments in this thread are based on that work experience.
    I have no thoughts on Amkor specifically.
     
    777 likes this.
  10. 777

    777

    #10     Nov 8, 2021