On Monday, UBS reaffirmed its confidence in Samsung Electronics (LON:0593xq) Co Ltd (KS:005930:KS) (OTC: SSNLF (OTC:SSNLF)), maintaining a Buy rating and a price target of KRW116,000.00. This endorsement comes amid a steady memory sector, with near-term memory bit shipments aligning with the company's expectations for a low single-digit percentage increase quarter over quarter for both DRAM and NAND in the third quarter of 2024.
The analysis by UBS reflects a stable outlook for the overall memory supply and demand. Despite a pullback in procurement from certain Chinese smartphone manufacturers and some PC clients for the second half of 2024, the impact appears to be selective, based on varying inventory levels. However, the demand for server DDR5 and enterprise SSDs continues to be strong.
Samsung has not provided specific guidance on pricing but anticipates a favorable supply and demand situation extending into at least the first half of 2025. This projection is based on current market conditions and the company's recent performance trends.
The tech giant's expectations for the memory market are particularly noteworthy as they indicate potential stability in the sector. Samsung's outlook suggests that while some areas may experience softened demand, others, such as the server and enterprise segments, remain robust, which could balance out the overall market dynamics.
Investors and market watchers will likely monitor Samsung's performance closely, especially considering the company's significant role in the global memory market. The UBS rating and price target provide a snapshot of the company's current valuation and expected performance in the near to mid-term future.
In other recent news, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has reported a 3% increase in overall revenue for the second quarter of 2024, reaching KRW 74.1 trillion. This increase was accompanied by a significant rise in operating profit to KRW 10.4 trillion, largely due to higher average selling prices and a strong demand for OLED products.
Despite a seasonal dip in smartphone sales, the company achieved record-high sales in the first half of the year, primarily driven by its semiconductor and display businesses.
Samsung's DS Division and Displays revenue grew by 23% and 42% respectively, while the MX division saw a 19% revenue drop due to weaker seasonal smartphone demand. Samsung's capital expenditures totaled KRW 12.1 trillion, focusing on memory, foundry, and display investments. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of KRW 361 per share.
Looking ahead, Samsung anticipates further stabilization of consumer prices and potential interest rate cuts, with limited impact on ICT devices. The company also expects increased demand for premium products and ecosystem products in the second half of the year.
Furthermore, Samsung plans to continue investing in advanced packaging, capacity expansion, and technology development.
InvestingPro Insights
As UBS maintains a Buy rating for Samsung Electronics Co Ltd , the latest data from InvestingPro offers additional insights into the company's financial health and market performance. With a market capitalization of $389.51 billion and a healthy P/E ratio standing at 18.53 for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, Samsung's valuation reflects its prominent position in the industry. The company's revenue growth of 3.75% during the same period further underscores its steady performance amidst fluctuating market conditions.
From an investment standpoint, two InvestingPro Tips stand out for Samsung. Firstly, the company holds more cash than debt on its balance sheet, providing it with financial stability and flexibility. Secondly, Samsung has been a reliable dividend payer, maintaining dividend payments for 32 consecutive years, which may appeal to income-focused investors. These factors, combined with analysts' upward earnings revisions for the upcoming period, paint a picture of a company with solid fundamentals and a positive outlook.
For those interested in diving deeper into Samsung's investment profile, InvestingPro offers a suite of additional tips, with a total of 9 tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/SSNLF. These tips provide further analysis and could serve as a valuable resource for investors looking to make informed decisions regarding Samsung's stock.
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