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Advantest Corp. (JP:6857)
:6857

Advantest (6857) AI Stock Analysis

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JP:6857

Advantest

(6857)

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Outperform 77 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
¥30,486.00
▲(13.50% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by strong financial performance (high margins, low leverage, solid cash conversion) and supportive technical trend. This is tempered by a stretched technical setup (overbought signals) and a high valuation with minimal dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Sustained High Profitability
Very high core margins reflect differentiated ATE products and pricing power versus peers. Durable margin strength supports reinvestment in R&D, funds capital expenditures and enables strong returns on equity, providing a structural cushion through normal market cycles.
Conservative Balance Sheet
Low leverage affords financial flexibility to fund R&D, capex, and strategic initiatives without stressing liquidity. A strong balance sheet reduces refinancing risk in downturns, enabling the company to sustain operations and invest when competitors might retrench.
Recurring Aftermarket and Service Revenue
Recurring revenues from consumables, spares and service contracts create annuity-like cash flows and customer stickiness. Over time this stabilizes top-line visibility, improves lifetime customer value, and supports margin sustainability independent of new system cycles.
Negative Factors
Cyclicality of Results
Earnings and margins have historically swung with semiconductor demand, making revenue and profitability sensitive to industry cycles. This structural cyclicality complicates forecasting, capital allocation and can produce sharp earnings normalization during industry downturns.
Weakening Free Cash Flow Growth
Although current cash conversion is strong, negative FCF growth and prior periods of weak conversion indicate volatility. Persistent FCF erosion would constrain investments, reduce optionality for buybacks/dividends or M&A, and heighten sensitivity to profit downticks.
Dependence on Semiconductor Capex & Tech Transitions
Revenue mix is structurally tied to customer capex timing and node/packaging transitions. Delays or shifts in customer investment patterns materially affect system demand, and sustaining competitiveness requires ongoing R&D and capital intensity during technology inflection points.

Advantest (6857) vs. iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ)

Advantest Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionAdvantest Corporation manufactures and sells semiconductor and component test system products and mechatronics-related products. It operates through three segments: Semiconductor and Component Test System; Mechatronics System; and Services, Support and Others. The Semiconductor and Component Test System segment provides customers with test system products for the semiconductor industry and the electronic parts industry. This segment offers test systems for SoC semiconductor devices; and test systems for memory semiconductors devices. The Mechatronics System segment provides test handlers; mechatronic-applied products for handling semiconductor devices; and device interfaces, which serve as interfaces with the devices that are measured. This segment also engages in the operations related to nano-technology products. The Services, Support and Others segment provides customer solutions for the semiconductor and component test system and mechatronics system segments; and support services. This segment is also involved in the sale of consumables and used products; and equipment lease business and others. In addition, the company engages in the research and development activities measuring and testing technologies. Advantest Corporation serves fabless semiconductor companies, foundries, and test houses, as well as industrial, design, and manufacturing companies in Japan, rest of Asia, the United States, and Europe. Advantest Corporation has collaboration with STMicroelectronics on advanced automated test cell for IC Testing; and partnership with PDF Solutions Inc. for cloud-based software solutions. The company was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
How the Company Makes MoneyAdvantest generates revenue primarily through the sale of its semiconductor test equipment and related services. The company's main revenue streams include the sale of ATE systems, which are pivotal for semiconductor manufacturers in ensuring the quality and performance of their products. Additionally, Advantest earns significant income from maintenance and support services, software licensing, and system upgrades. The company has established strategic partnerships with major semiconductor manufacturers and foundries, which bolsters its market position and contributes to consistent demand for its testing solutions. Advantest's earnings are also influenced by market trends in the semiconductor industry, including the increasing complexity of chips and the growing demand for advanced testing solutions in emerging technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence.

Advantest Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 25, 2025
(Q4-2024)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 24, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Advantest reported a strong financial performance in FY 2024 with record-high sales and profits, driven by robust demand for AI-related semiconductors. Despite some challenges including impairment losses and geopolitical uncertainties, the company maintains a positive outlook for FY 2025, expecting continued high demand and market presence.
Q4-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Record High Financial Performance
FY 2024 sales, operating income, and net income all posted record highs due to strong tester demand for AI-related high-performance semiconductors. The demand was driven by increasing semiconductor complexity and enhanced supply capabilities.
Profitability and Revenue Surpassing Guidance
Full year sales exceeded the guidance issued in January 2025 by approximately JPY 40 billion. Core operating income was JPY 249.7 billion with a margin of 32%, significantly surpassing guidance.
Strategic Supply Chain Management
Advantest enhanced its supply chain management, resulting in record-high sales booking and a clean balance sheet for FY 2025.
Market Expansion and Share
Advantest maintained a majority share in the semiconductor tester market, with a notable market share of approximately 58% overall and over 60% in the memory test market.
Positive Outlook for FY 2025
Advantest expects sustained high demand for AI-related SoC semiconductors, with FY 2025 sales projected to grow slightly year-over-year on a constant currency basis.
Negative Updates
Impairment Loss Impact
An impairment loss of approximately JPY 24.1 billion was booked for a portion of goodwill and intangible assets related to Essai's socket business, impacting the operating margin and net profit.
Higher Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate rose to approximately 28%, higher than expected due to impairment losses which are not deductible for tax purposes.
Soft Demand for Non-AI Semiconductors
Demand for semiconductors for applications other than AI remained soft throughout the fiscal year, affecting overall sales growth.
Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainties
Ongoing geopolitical risks and macroeconomic uncertainties, including potential tariff impacts, pose challenges for the business environment.
Company Guidance
During the financial briefing for Advantest Corporation's fiscal year 2024, several key metrics were highlighted. The company achieved record highs in sales, operating income, and net income due to strong demand for AI-related high-performance semiconductors. Full-year sales exceeded the guidance by approximately JPY40 billion, driven by better-than-expected deliveries, particularly for SoC testers. The core operating income was JPY249.7 billion, with a margin of 32%, significantly surpassing expectations. However, one-time items such as an impairment loss affected the operating margin and net profit. The effective tax rate rose to approximately 28% due to non-deductible impairment losses. The annual dividend forecast was JPY39. The company anticipates continued high demand for testers in FY 2025, projecting sales of JPY755 billion and operating income of JPY242 billion. The gross profit margin is expected to remain around 58%. Advantest's market share in the semiconductor tester market was approximately 58%, with a decrease in the SoC market share due to competition from local suppliers in China, while the memory test market share exceeded 60%. The company also plans a share repurchase program up to JPY70 billion to enhance shareholder returns.

Advantest Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong TTM profitability (about 61% gross margin, ~27% net margin, ~38% EBIT margin) with continued revenue growth (+5.69%) and materially improved margins vs FY2024. Balance sheet is conservatively leveraged (~0.15x debt/equity). Cash generation is solid with FCF ~91% of net income, but FCF growth is negative (-14.7%) and results are notably cyclical.
Income Statement
92
Very Positive
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) results show strong profitability with ~61% gross margin and ~27% net margin, alongside very high operating profitability (~38% EBIT margin). Revenue is still growing (+5.69% TTM), and margins have expanded materially versus FY2024, which was a down year (revenue decline and much lower profitability). The main drawback is cyclicality: results have swung meaningfully across years, indicating earnings sensitivity to industry demand.
Balance Sheet
88
Very Positive
Leverage is conservative with low debt relative to equity (about 0.15x TTM), supporting financial flexibility. Equity and asset base have grown over time, and returns on equity are exceptionally strong in TTM (~48%), reflecting high profitability. The key watch-out is that such elevated returns can be cycle-driven and may normalize if earnings cool, though the balance sheet itself remains solid.
Cash Flow
84
Very Positive
Cash generation is healthy in TTM with operating cash flow (~334B) and free cash flow (~304B) closely tracking earnings (free cash flow at ~91% of net income). However, free cash flow growth is negative in TTM (-14.7%), and history shows volatility—FY2024 had notably weak cash conversion versus profits. Overall cash flow quality is good today, but it can fluctuate materially through the cycle.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.03T779.71B486.51B560.19B416.90B312.79B
Gross Profit644.22B445.08B246.03B319.06B235.91B168.29B
EBITDA437.54B257.13B105.63B193.38B131.59B83.25B
Net Income288.49B161.18B62.29B130.40B87.30B69.79B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.02T854.21B671.23B600.22B494.70B422.64B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments329.32B262.54B106.70B85.54B116.58B149.16B
Total Debt102.35B93.50B94.44B50.84B43.46B11.85B
Total Liabilities346.22B347.67B240.05B231.53B200.07B142.27B
Stockholders Equity674.30B506.54B431.18B368.69B294.62B280.37B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow304.00B268.56B12.13B46.64B60.67B54.55B
Operating Cash Flow334.16B285.97B32.67B70.22B78.89B67.83B
Investing Cash Flow-50.09B-42.19B-27.94B-26.71B-46.91B-16.83B
Financing Cash Flow-150.39B-82.82B10.76B-77.43B-68.74B-30.41B

Advantest Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price26860.00
Price Trends
50DMA
20992.50
Positive
100DMA
19094.45
Positive
200DMA
14071.06
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1387.37
Negative
RSI
65.88
Neutral
STOCH
75.42
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For JP:6857, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 26860 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 22625.75, above the 50-day MA of 20992.50, and above the 200-day MA of 14071.06, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1387.37 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 65.88 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.42 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for JP:6857.

Advantest Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
81
Outperform
¥3.54T37.3253.12%1.11%32.51%57.19%
77
Outperform
¥18.69T64.6547.37%0.25%63.36%149.43%
75
Outperform
¥7.64T58.2025.78%0.79%13.45%20.37%
73
Outperform
¥20.07T37.0927.73%1.79%16.74%16.03%
72
Outperform
¥1.87T21.3121.73%2.29%11.29%11.38%
63
Neutral
¥4.60T-93.09-2.51%1.31%-10.97%-118.87%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
JP:6857
Advantest
26,860.00
18,242.35
211.69%
JP:7735
SCREEN Holdings Co
19,980.00
9,347.43
87.91%
JP:6146
Disco
67,340.00
23,090.21
52.18%
JP:6920
Lasertec
37,460.00
22,229.74
145.96%
JP:6723
Renesas Electronics
2,624.50
544.29
26.17%
JP:8035
Tokyo Electron
41,330.00
15,766.23
61.67%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 30, 2026