Expert Takeaways: Applied Optoelectronics
> 800G Volume Growth: Shipments are set to surge from 600K–700K this year to 5 million next year, and around 7 million the following year.
> 800G Production & Customers: AWS remains the primary customer, alongside demand from Oracle. Monthly capacity is expanding in Taiwan (200K–240K by year-end), Ningbo (~100K for AWS next year), and the U.S.
> 1.6T Demand Surge: Demand is projected to reach ~100K units per month next year, up from tens of thousands this year.
> 1.6T Primary Drivers: Currently led by Oracle projects (FRO and LRO), with potential AWS projects possible in the future.
$AAOI
Goldman Sachs in their recent note upgraded their global optical module market forecast to:
- $67.7 billion (+33% revision) for 2026
- $131.4 billion (+81% revision) for 2027
- $148.5 billion (+115% revision) for 2028
For $NVDA Rubin Ultra, GS increased its modeled optical modules per GPU:
1.6T: 0 -> 2
3.2T: 3 -> 5
GS also raised their 1.6T and above forecast for 2027 by 61%... so that's also very material, with 80% silicon photonics penetration rate estimated.
So more optical content per chip = a lot more CW lasers, more SOI substrates, happy optical companies.
광전환은 필수불가결한 상황이 온 것 같다.
지금껏 불확실한 "If" 가 "When"으로 전환되고
양산은 내년부터 적용이 되면 올해 연말쯤부터 광학섹터는
다시 불붙지않을까하는 기대를 살짝 해본다
SiPh칩엔 반드시 InP계열 외부 레이저를 붙여야한다는데
자체 레이저팹을 보유한 $LITE $AAOI 의 수요가 확대되길
바라본다-
아오이보단 루멘텀이 수혜이긴하겠지만 섹터가 가면
다 같이 갈거니깐 이제 원웨이 상방으로 달려가보면
좋겠다 Plz---!
GLOBALFOUNDRIES CEO SAYS DATA-CENTER DEMAND IS A “VERY STRONG DRIVER” FOR GROWTH AS AI WORKLOADS BECOME INCREASINGLY DATA-INTENSIVE.
CEO SAYS OPTICAL CONNECTIVITY IS NOW A “WHEN, NOT IF” TRANSITION AND GLOBALFOUNDRIES COULD 10X SILICON-PHOTONICS CAPACITY USING EXISTING US AND SINGAPORE FAB INFRASTRUCTURE.
Lot of misinterpretations flying left and right around the $600m ATM. I'm still bullish on $AAOI and I have large positions (which is why I care more).
What I've been consistent with is not being a fan of overusing ATMs/dilution for financing. I've said this before with $IREN + $POET.
And I'll be consistent with my own positions like AOI.
However, the reason I'm still overweight on AOI vs. the rest (looking at you Poet):
Is that AOI is actually capacity constrained with high demand visibility.
In terms of timing:
- AOI should have waited until completion of 1.6T qualifications (expected in the next few weeks)
- Could have used other structures like convertible notes above market prices.
But they did it on the drop from $220 -> $130, and it's likely there will be short term structural overhang whenever they want to tap into it.
I don't have to support every single business decision to remain long.
$AAOI could provide a solid entry in the coming weeks
Going to be direct here despite knowing many won’t agree
Sentiment and overreaction are probably going to pull this stock down further in the near term.
That’s exactly where I’d be watching.
Here’s why I’m still more bullish than bearish:
- Management already flagged on the last call that they’d need significantly more capital to finance their capex. The “they lied” or “no warning” narrative doesn’t really hold up for me here
- Timing was bad, doing this on a Friday right after the Rosenblatt event isn’t a great look, and there’s a fair question of why they didn’t lean on debt instead. Genuinely want to hear how they address that
- Revenue growth is real. Guidance points to $6B in annual revenue by 2028, and I’m fairly convinced they get there. Demand is clearly there, and early signs of execution are already showing
What I’d be careful of:
- Not over-concentrating the position, keep it smaller in the portfolio
- Watch the next earnings/event closely for how they address these concerns directly
- Any failure to do so could drastically change my approach here
What you do with your own position is up to you.