Actro is showing strength. Securities firms' analyses suggesting that its core actuator business, semiconductor packaging inspection, and secondary battery business divisions, among other new growth engines, will grow together appear to be influencing the stock price.
As of 2:56 PM on the 24th, Actro is trading at 8,500 KRW, up 4.55% from the previous trading day.
Meritz Securities forecasted that Actro's actuator sales, its core business, will increase by 11.5% compared to the previous year.
Researcher Yang Seung-su of Meritz Securities explained, "This year, actuator sales are expected to reach 146.9 billion KRW, an 11.5% increase from last year," adding, "Despite the slowdown in smartphone shipments, we expect expanded supply of OiS actuators for foldable phones and increased market share among domestic clients."
He continued, "Actuator sales can achieve additional growth next year due to increased sales of folded zoom actuators," adding, "Next year's actuator sales are expected to reach 169.2 billion KRW, a 15.2% increase over this year's estimate."
Researcher Yang analyzed, "The semiconductor packaging inspection device utilizing terahertz frequency, a new business, can significantly reduce EMC thickness," and added, "It has the advantage of being harmless to the human body as it allows non-destructive and non-contact inspection." He emphasized, "Starting with initial supply to domestic clients in the second half of this year, we expect full-scale sales growth next year."
Yang also introduced, "The silicon anode material graphene coating business has demonstrated performance improvements of 20-30% compared to existing silicon oxide-based (SiOx) materials in performance evaluations." He added, "We are strengthening cooperation not only with battery cell companies but also with upstream material suppliers," and predicted, "Related sales are expected to begin from next year."
Next year, when highly profitable new businesses are fully reflected, sales are estimated to reach 220.3 billion KRW and operating profit 13.1 billion KRW, representing increases of 31.1% and 183.9% respectively compared to this year.
Researcher Yang stated, "Considering the high growth potential and profitability of new businesses, performance growth and a full-scale valuation rerating are possible," adding, "Despite the recent stock price rebound, the current stock price is at a price-to-earnings ratio (PER) of 6.7 times based on next year's estimates."
Earlier, in May last year, Actro received graphene technology transferred from the Korea Institute of Energy Research. This technology is used for silicon anode materials, the next-generation anode material for secondary batteries. Actro introduced in its business report that as part of business diversification, it has entered the secondary battery market and is conducting tests for mass production of graphene-coated silicon anode materials. Graphene coating plays a role in maintaining silicon's performance while mitigating expansion issues, thereby improving durability and lifespan. As silicon is becoming the mainstream in the secondary battery anode material market, Actro expects various business opportunities to arise.
Hadong-gil, CEO of Actro, said at the regular shareholders' meeting held last month regarding the graphene coating business for secondary battery anode materials, "We are seeing more meaningful results than initially expected," and added, "We are on track to complete development within this year and aim for commercialization next year, executing the plan without delay."
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