Chicago, IL – January 10, 2024 – Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Qorvo QRVO and RF Industries RFIL.
Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/2207439/2-radio-frequency-stocks-to-watch-in-a-challenging-industry
The Zacks Semiconductors - Radio Frequency industry players are suffering from a rise in commodity prices, raging inflation, high interest rates and global macroeconomic uncertainties. However, continued higher spending on the deployment of 5G networking and the rapid proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT), Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality devices are catalysts.
The growing need for faster connections, low latency and efficient battery life in wirelessly connected devices has been driving the demand for WiFi-enabled hotspots. The democratization of 5G smartphones has been a tailwind for the industry players. These factors have bolstered the demand for radio-frequency semiconductor solutions provided by industry players like Qorvo and RF Industries.
The Zacks Semiconductors - Radio Frequency Industry comprises companies that provide radio frequency solutions, front-end modules, low-noise amplifiers, diodes, multi-chip modules, optical components, surface acoustic wave, bulk acoustic wave technology-based antenna-plexers and film bulk acoustic resonator filters to enable smartphone devices to function more efficiently in congested RF spectrum.
They serve a wide array of industries with their solutions, finding ample applications in 5G and smartphone equipment, aerospace and defense, optical networks, cellular base stations, automotive and smart home applications. Most of these companies utilize robust wafer fabrication technologies, as well as ZigBee, Bluetooth Low Energy, Thread, silicon germanium and Gallium Nitride technologies, to stay ahead of the competition.
Accelerated 5G Deployment is a Tailwind: The rapid implementation of 5G networking infrastructure and the robust adoption of cloud computing applications look promising for the wireless communication market. The coronavirus crisis-induced work-from-home wave has necessitated the need for higher bandwidth and triggered LTE advancements, which are expected to bolster the demand for RF power amplifiers.
Increasing RF content in the latest 5G smartphones is a key catalyst. Further, the growing demand for WiFi hotspots, as the number of wirelessly connected devices increases in households, is enhancing industry prospects. Cisco forecasts that the number of hotspots worldwide will reach 600 million in 2023.
Innovation is Opening up Business Avenues: The rapid proliferation of IoT, wearables, drones, VR/AR devices, autonomous cars and ADAS is expected to drive the demand for RF semiconductor products beyond smartphone devices, favoring industry prospects. Notably, RF Semiconductors are setting the pace for technology modernization by consequently digitizing aspects like connectivity, healthcare, transport and defense. The diversified utilization of RF Semiconductor products bodes well for the industry players.
Moreover, the evolution of semiconductor manufacturing processes from 10 nanometers (nm) to 7 nm, and even 5 nm and 3 nm technology, is anticipated to bolster the industry prospects. Further, the rollout of bands and band combinations has led to considerable design challenges for OEM smartphone manufacturers. The industry participants are looking to address these challenges with a robust range of antenna-plexer portfolios utilizing the BAW technology.
Growing Adoption of Electric Vehicles Aids Prospect: Industry players are gaining from the increasing inclusion of their products in electric vehicles (EVs). The market for EVs is expected to expand fourfold by 2027.
Supply-Chain and Higher Commodity Costs to Hinder Prospects: The industry players are reeling under the impact of supply-chain constraints, as well as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Volatility in prices of certain commodities like copper does not bode well for industry participants.
The Zacks Semiconductors - Radio Frequency Industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #228, which places it in the bottom 8% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group's Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bearish near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than two to one.
The industry's position in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of a negative earnings outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate earnings estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are pessimistic about this group's earnings growth potential. The industry's earnings estimates for 2024 have moved down 39% since Jan 31, 2023.
Before we present the top industry picks, it is worth looking at the industry's shareholder returns and current valuation first.
The Zacks Semiconductors - Radio Frequency Industry has underperformed the S&P 500 and its sector over the past year. The industry has increased 2.5% over this period against the S&P 500's gain of 21.9% and the broader sector's growth of 45.1%.
On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio (P/E), which is a commonly used multiple for valuing the Semiconductors - Radio Frequency stocks, the industry is currently trading at 15.62X, lower than the S&P 500's 19.59X and the sector's 23.59X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 23.62X and as low as 8.17X, with the median being 14.87X.
Qorvo: This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company is benefiting from rising demand for highly integrated IoT connectivity solutions, Wi-Fi 7 RF front ends and force-sensing touch sensors. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Qorvo's expertise in domains like radio frequency and power management enables it to deliver high-performance, efficient semiconductor solutions. Strength in automotive connectivity, indoor navigation, smart home and sensor business are positive factors.
Shares of Qorvo have returned 9.6% year to date.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for QRVO's fiscal 2024 earnings has been unchanged at $5.61 per share over the past 60 days.
RF Industries: This Zacks Rank #3 company is riding on strong demand for its RF coaxial cable and connector product, as well as Optiflex hybrid fiber solutions.
Growing demand for wireless carrier infrastructure builds for 5G is a tailwind for RF Industries. Increased spending from carriers deploying 5G bodes well for RFIL.
RF Industries' shares have lost 44.3% in the past year.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RF Industries' fiscal 2024 earnings has remained unchanged at 34 cents per share over the past 60 days.
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