Citi Downgrades Semiconductor Equipment Stocks Amid Industry Challenges

Citi downgrades Veeco Instruments stock amid broader OEM selectivity By Investing.com

On Monday, Veeco (NASDAQ:VECO) Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:VECO) experienced a shift in its stock rating as a leading financial firm adjusted its stance on the company. Citi has downgraded Veeco Instruments from 'Buy' to 'Neutral', despite raising the price target to $50 from the previous $45. The adjustment in the price target to $50 reflects a valuation at approximately 21 times the projected earnings per share (EPS) for the year 2025, indicating an expansion in the multiple compared to the prior three-year average of 19 times for small to mid-sized semiconductor capital equipment peers. This change is attributed to the growing opportunities in laser and nano anneal technologies. Citi's modification in rating aligns with a broader strategic approach where selectivity is increasing in the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and components space, as the sector is believed to be in the latter stages of its second phase. Despite the downgrade, Citi maintains a positive outlook on Veeco's expanding serviceable available market (SAM) and the company's gains in laser annealing and nanosecond annealing. These areas are expected to benefit from industry trends such as gate-all-around (GAA) transition, backside power, and high bandwidth memory (HBM). However, Citi remains cautious about Veeco's market penetration potential with ion beam deposition (IBD) technology. The firm suggests that Veeco's current stock price now accurately reflects its value, implying limited potential for significant price increases in the near term. In other recent news, Veeco Instruments Inc. has been making waves with its strong financial performance and promising growth prospects. The company reported first-quarter earnings for 2024, showcasing a robust performance with $174 million in revenue and non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.45. Following these results, financial firms Oppenheimer, Needham, and Benchmark have increased their price targets for Veeco shares, reflecting confidence in the company's growth trajectory. Oppenheimer sees potential for medium to long-term growth driven by leading-edge logic and memory sectors and has adjusted its 2024 and 2025 estimated earnings per share for Veeco accordingly. Needham and Benchmark also raised their price targets for Veeco, citing strong financial results and the potential expansion of applications for Veeco's anneal products. These adjustments come in the wake of Veeco's successful quarter and its strategic positioning to capitalize on trends in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing, and the electric vehicle sector. As the company continues to innovate and expand its market presence, it remains a subject of increased interest among analysts and investors. Veeco Instruments Inc. (NASDAQ:VECO) has demonstrated a notable performance with a strong return over the last three months, as per InvestingPro data, showcasing a 31.85% return in that period. This momentum aligns with the positive outlook from analysts who predict the company will be profitable this year, as reflected by the InvestingPro Tips. Additionally, Veeco's liquid assets exceed its short-term obligations, indicating a healthy liquidity position that may reassure investors about the company's short-term financial stability. InvestingPro metrics further reveal that Veeco's revenue growth in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 was 6.87%, with a more impressive quarterly revenue growth rate of 13.67% in Q1 2024. While the company is trading at a high EBIT valuation multiple, its EBITDA growth of 37.82% during the same period is significant, possibly justifying the premium valuation to some investors. For those interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers additional insights and metrics. There are over 12 additional InvestingPro Tips available for Veeco, which can be accessed by signing up for the service. Use coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, and gain comprehensive data that could support your investment decisions.

Citi downgrades Cohu stock citing semiconductor market challenges By Investing.com

On Monday, Citi adjusted its stance on Cohu Inc (NASDAQ:COHU), a company specializing in semiconductor equipment, by downgrading its stock rating from Buy to Neutral. The firm has kept its price target steady at $36.00, citing a valuation that aligns with an approximately 19 times price-to-earnings ratio on the estimated 2025 earnings per share. This figure is notably above the three-year average of 13 times, reflecting anticipation of multiple expansions based on Cohu's stable gross margin performance. The rationale behind the downgrade is tied to Citi's broader strategy in the semiconductor sector, as it becomes more selective amid the progression into what it identifies as a late Phase 2 cycle within the industry. The firm acknowledges Cohu's growing services revenue mix, which contributes to higher profit margins, but also notes the need for visible recovery signs in several of Cohu's key end markets such as automotive, mobile, and industrial sectors. Cohu has a significant presence in these markets, and Citi expresses a cautious stance, preferring to observe clear indicators of market recovery before reassessing the company's growth potential. In its analysis, Citi suggests that Cohu's current stock price accurately reflects its value, implying that there is limited room for further upside in the near term. The investment firm's position reflects a broader sentiment of careful optimism, recognizing Cohu's positive attributes such as the beneficial shift in revenue composition. However, it tempers this by pointing out the need for market improvements in areas where Cohu is most active. With the price target unchanged, Citi appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach to Cohu's future performance in the context of industry-wide developments. In other recent news, Cohu Inc. has been active with significant developments. The company announced changes in its executive roles, with Thomas D. Kampfer transitioning to a part-time role, and Emily R. Lough assuming his legal and corporate secretary responsibilities. In addition, Karen M. Rapp, an executive with extensive experience in financial management, corporate development, and information technology, has been appointed to Cohu's Board of Directors. Cohu recently reported first-quarter 2024 earnings per share of $0.01, with a non-GAAP gross margin of 46%. The company's revenue for the quarter was $107.6 million, with recurring revenue representing 66% of the total. For the second quarter, Cohu is projecting revenues of approximately $105 million and a gross margin of around 45%. Financial analysts have adjusted their outlook for Cohu following the company's updated second-quarter guidance. Needham cut its target from $36 to $34, maintaining a Buy rating, while Citi lowered its target from $40 to $36, also retaining a Buy rating. These adjustments were attributed to a slower-than-anticipated recovery in the semiconductor sector. Despite these adjustments, Cohu remains optimistic about its future, anticipating stable business conditions for the next few quarters, with potential improvements expected by the end of the year. The company also highlighted AI on-the-edge technology as a key factor in achieving its $1 billion revenue target. These are the recent developments for Cohu Inc., as it continues to navigate through the dynamic semiconductor market. Amidst Citi's neutral outlook on Cohu Inc, real-time data from InvestingPro offers additional insights into the company's financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $1.66 billion, Cohu's valuation reflects significant investor interest. However, the company's P/E ratio stands at a negative -770, indicating that investors may be weighing future growth prospects rather than current earnings. Additionally, the substantial decline in revenue over the last twelve months, at nearly -28.93%, aligns with Citi's cautious stance regarding the need for recovery in Cohu's key end markets. InvestingPro Tips highlight that Cohu holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, suggesting a solid liquidity position that could favor resilience in uncertain market conditions. Yet, with six analysts having revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, and an anticipated sales decline in the current year, the market may have already priced in some of the challenges facing the company. For investors seeking a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers a broader set of tips, with 12 additional insights available to guide investment decisions. To access these valuable tips and more, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 for up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription. Overall, Cohu's financial metrics and InvestingPro Tips provide a nuanced view that complements Citi's analysis, offering investors a more comprehensive picture of the company's standing in a competitive semiconductor industry.