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On Monday, Needham upgraded shares of Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:ONTO) from Hold to Buy, setting a price target of $245. The firm highlighted the company's solid performance outside of China and its potential in AI chip packaging technologies.
Onto Innovation, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, has been upgraded by Needham, reflecting a more optimistic view of the company's prospects. The upgrade is based on Onto's revenue growth from markets outside of China, which has outpaced competitors KLAC and NVMI. Needham also noted the company's involvement in advanced AI chip packaging solutions, such as Chip on Wafer on Substrate (CoWoS) and High Bandwidth (NASDAQ:BAND) Memory (HBM).
The analyst indicated that Onto's previous underperformance in comparison to NVMI and CAMT was largely due to share loss in the Chinese market, both voluntary and involuntary. However, with Onto having largely exited China, the expected China Wafer Fabrication Equipment (WFE) reset next year is anticipated to have minimal impact on the company.
Needham's outlook for Onto is favorable, despite ranking it slightly behind CAMT. This is due to CAMT's potential to outperform in HBM revenue growth and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) revenue recovery, areas where CAMT traditionally excels. Nonetheless, the risk/reward balance for Onto has improved significantly, warranting the Buy rating.
The new price target of $245 represents Needham's confidence in Onto Innovation's growth trajectory over the next 12 months. This upgrade comes as the semiconductor industry continues to evolve, with companies like Onto Innovation adapting to shifting market dynamics.
In other recent news, Onto Innovation Inc. has reported robust financial results, marked by a 15% year-over-year increase in revenues. The company also forecasts an increase in gross margins and revenue growth, driven by strong demand in various sectors.
In addition, Benchmark has upgraded the price target for Onto Innovation from $180 to $230, maintaining a Buy rating due to a strong sales outlook. They estimate a 23% year-over-year growth in earnings to $5.98 per diluted share for 2025.
Onto Innovation has also announced the appointment of Dr. Stephen Schwartz to its board of directors. Dr. Schwartz, who has over 25 years of leadership in high technology companies, is expected to bring valuable insights to the company. His appointment follows his retirement from Azenta, where he served as president and chief executive officer.
Furthermore, Onto Innovation has launched a new suite of products including the JetStep® X500 lithography system and the Firefly® G3 inspection system. These systems aim to support the industry's shift to glass core panels for advanced IC substrates and panel-level packaging. According to Prismark, the advanced packaging market, including panel-level packaging, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10% from 2023 to 2028.
InvestingPro Insights
Following Needham's upgrade of Onto Innovation Inc. (NYSE: ONTO) to a Buy rating, InvestingPro data reinforces the positive sentiment. The company holds a substantial market capitalization of $10.33 billion, underlining its significant presence in the semiconductor equipment industry. Despite a high P/E ratio of 57.58, indicating a premium valuation, Onto has demonstrated substantial growth, with a one-year price total return of 89.49%, showcasing the company's strong performance in the market.
Two InvestingPro Tips further illuminate Onto's financial health and outlook. Firstly, Onto maintains a robust financial position, holding more cash than debt on its balance sheet, which is a positive sign for investors concerned about the company's solvency. Secondly, three analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for the upcoming period, suggesting that Onto's future financial results may exceed current expectations.
For investors seeking a deeper dive into Onto Innovation's performance metrics and additional analyst insights, InvestingPro offers a wider array of tips, with a total of 14 tips available at https://www.investing.com/pro/ONTO. These insights could prove invaluable for those aiming to make informed investment decisions regarding Onto Innovation.
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