Highest P/NAV in its peer group reflects quality

Another abrupt change

The US Trade Representative on 17 April published revised US port fees with significant changes to the initial proposal based on industry feedback. In its current form, the fees will primarily discourage use of Chinese-controlled maritime trade services to the US, and directly affect the use of Chinese-built vessels in US ports (with several considerable exemptions to avoid harm to US trade). The previous broader fees based on fleet composition and share of Chinese-built vessels has been scrapped, while a specific fee for all foreign-built car carriers and long-term restrictions on non-US-buil...

Atea (Buy, TP: NOK170.00) - Solid performance

Q1 gross profit and EBIT beat our above-consensus estimates, largely on a higher gross margin offsetting a slightly softer-than-expected top line and more opex than we expected. Furthermore, adjusted for FX losses, underlying earnings were well above our estimate and consensus. In short, we see this setting Atea up to track in line with our above-consensus estimates for 2025–2027 (which we have edged up) as well as multiples expansion. We reiterate our BUY, and have raised our target price to NOK170 (160).

Nordic Semiconductor (Buy, TP: NOK160.00) - Not too bad given tail-end of 55nm

While implied guidance for H1 revenues is ~1–4% below our forecast and consensus, the underlying sequential performance is directionally in line with the broader set of peers to have reported to date. We find this growth and gross margin profile solid, given we are at the tail-end of the life of Nordic’s 10-year-old 55nm technology platform. Combined with the arguably unprecedented level of uncertainty for the company’s customers, we find it achieving a ~50% gross margin and accelerated Cellular IoT momentum while competing with companies manufacturing on process nodes with materially better c...

Hexagon (Buy, TP: SEK115.00) - Q1 results were a clearing event

Hexagon’s Q2e outlook was better than feared after its Q1 profit warning. We see an attractive risk/reward following the recent sell-off amid: 1) the organic sales growth and earnings momentum story unfolding with defensive traits (albeit bruised); 2) the ‘NewCo’ spin-off crystallising values; 3) new leadership starting on Monday, which should appeal to a broader investor base; and 4) an undemanding valuation on absolute and relative bases, near a historical trough. We reiterate our BUY but have cut our target price to SEK115 (137), having lowered our 2025e adj. EPS by 12%.