KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 7): Shares of Stratus Global Holdings Bhd (KL:STRATUS) jumped as much as 30% on Friday, as investors piled into the newly listed semiconductor factory automation firm on expectations of stronger earnings and sustained positive market sentiment towards AI-linked stocks.
The stock rose as much as 69 sen, hitting limit-up of RM2.99 during the afternoon session, from Thursday's close of RM2.30.
It later pared some gains, but still closed up 58 sen or 25.22% higher at RM2.88, making it the second-biggest gainer on Bursa Malaysia.
Compared with its initial public offering (IPO) price of 80 sen on July 21, the stock has rallied 260%.
A total of 47.12 million shares changed hands, making Stratus Global the seventh most actively traded counter on the local bourse.
When contacted, analysts attributed Friday's rally to growing expectations of stronger earnings guidance and demand for its semiconductor factory automation solutions.
Market consensus forecasts Stratus Global's annual profit to come in at RM67.2 million for the financial year ending March 31, 2027 (FY2027), and for this to further grow to RM80.6 million in FY2028.
The group posted a net profit of RM9.5 million for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026 (1QFY2027) on revenue of RM34.84 million. There are no previous quarterly figures for comparison as this is the company’s first interim results before listing.
Stratus Global focuses almost exclusively on semiconductor cleanroom automation. It provides services for both front-end wafer fabrication facilities and, increasingly, back-end semiconductor assembly and testing.
Stratus Global designs and builds automated material handling systems (AMHS), which are conveyor-based systems that transport silicon wafers and other sensitive materials in semiconductor fabrication plants.
The sharp share price appreciation has brought Stratus Global' valuation closer to its fair value, one analyst noted.
The stock now trades at about 55.3 times FY2027 earnings and 45.8 times FY2028 earnings based on Bloomberg’s consensus forecasts.
Stratus Global's latest share price has surpassed PublicInvest Research's 12-month target price of RM1.72 by about 67%, following the stock's sharp post-listing rally.
PublicInvest Research is the only research house currently covering the stock.
Earnings momentum is expected to strengthen in the second half of the financial year (2HFY2027) as larger projects reach completion, the research house said in its July 20 note.
It also said the company is well positioned to benefit from the ongoing global semiconductor fabrication expansion cycle.
The research house also shared management's optimism in securing several semiconductor automation contracts, with each valued at about US$20 million (RM81.8 million) to US$45 million.
“If the expected contracts are secured by July/August, management expects 50-60% revenue recognition in FY2027, providing meaningful earnings upside,” it noted
Stratus Global is also bidding for contracts from another key customer under the Phase 1 Plant 3 project in the northern region, with an estimated AMHS project value of US$100 million, and another larger foundry project (US$250 million) under the Phase 2 development, the research firm added.