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October 20th, 2021 | 11:26 CEST

Plug Power, BrainChip, Software AG - Crisis and no end

  • Technology
Photo credits: pixabay.com

The global economy is suffering from a chip shortage. One reason for this is blown-up supply chains due to the Corona pandemic, leading to production downtime and short-time working, especially in the automotive industry. In addition, with future technologies such as the Internet of Things, autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, there is a higher demand for semiconductors in addition to more powerful processors. An end to this dilemma is far from imminent, according to industry insiders.

time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Stefan Feulner
ISIN: PLUG POWER INC. DL-_01 | US72919P2020 , BRAINCHIP HOLDINGS LTD | AU000000BRN8 , SOFTWARE AG NA O.N. | DE000A2GS401

Table of contents:


    It is a revolution

    "We have been and continue to be able to produce despite the chip shortage," BrainChip CEO Ken Scarince expressed at last week's virtual IIF- International Investment Forum. As the Company name suggests, the chip developed by the Australians is based on the human brain and, according to Scarince, offers "the most efficient AI solution ever produced."

    The Akida chip shines with up to 50% lower energy consumption than conventional CPUs. That is because traditional chips need to communicate with the data center constantly. The innovation developed by BrainChip, on the other hand, works based on impulses and events, functions completely autonomously and processes so-called spikes instead of traditional computer data. In the process, Akida learns independently using artificial intelligence; the work is done directly on the chip and not in the data center. The management team sees the areas of application in autonomous driving, IoT devices, robotics, medical diagnostics and security technology.

    Sample production has already taken place with SocioNext, a leading application-specific integrated circuit company, and Taiwan Semiconductor shipped the first generation of the chip series to Australia weeks ago. In the following weeks, it will be decided whether the starting signal for commercial production will be given already this year.

    The Company's stock market value, which is traded in Frankfurt, is EUR 437.50 million, and the share price is EUR 0.29. Pitt Street Research still sees significant upside potential compared to the peer group and placed BrainChip at "buy" with a price target of EUR 0.94 in a recent study.

    Digital disappointment

    A drop of over 12% resulted from a forecast reduction by Software AG. Due to the solid quarterly figures of software giant SAP last week, one secretly hoped for better-than-expected results at the Darmstadt-based Company. However, the fact that the growth engine Digital Business, in particular, is sputtering was more than a surprise for investors and analysts alike. For the year as a whole, management now only expects currency-adjusted growth of 13 to 17% in the digital sector, compared with 15 to 25% previously.

    Nevertheless, there was something positive to take away from the figures. The Company confirmed its medium-term forecasts until 2023. In addition, the Ebitda margin is now expected to be 17 to 19% instead of the previously forecast 16 to 18%. The reason for this is the brightening database business.

    Following the key data for the third quarter, the major Swiss bank UBS reiterated its "buy" recommendation with a price target of EUR 44. The analysts' opinion is that the database business is making up for the negative effects caused by the disappointing digital business with integration software (DBP). As the latter is a declared growth area, this is nevertheless disappointing. Although the revised forecast implies a significant increase in bookings at DBP in the final quarter, this outlook is not without risks, said analyst Michael Briest.

    Positive news flow continues

    Already last week, fuel specialist Plug Power shone with positive news. In addition to the announcement of a cooperation with Airbus, which aims to explore the feasibility of supplying aircraft and airports with green hydrogen, came a partnership with Phillips 66 to jointly develop business opportunities with low-carbon hydrogen. Last week's news was topped off by an upgrade from US bank Morgan Stanley, which upgraded Plug Power to "overweight" with a USD 40 price target.

    However, the positive news does not stop there. Plug Power is acquiring Applied Cryo Technologies, a US-based liquefied hydrogen service provider. ACT offers technologies, equipment, and services to transport, store, and distribute liquefied hydrogen, oxygen, argon, and nitrogen. The strategic acquisition expands the US Company's portfolio, which can help expand its green hydrogen ecosystem.


    The chip shortage is causing production stoppages and weakening the economic upturn in the process. According to experts, an end is not expected until 2023. BrainChip produces the latest-generation chip without failures. Plug Power is on the run, and there is digital sand in the gears at Software AG.


    Conflict of interest

    Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") may in the future hold shares or other financial instruments of the mentioned companies or will bet on rising or falling on rising or falling prices and therefore a conflict of interest may arise in the future. conflict of interest may arise in the future. The Relevant Persons reserve the shares or other financial instruments of the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as the company at any time (hereinafter referred to as a "Transaction"). "Transaction"). Transactions may under certain circumstances influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the of the Company.

    Furthermore, Apaton Finance GmbH reserves the right to enter into future relationships with the company or with third parties in relation to reports on the company. with regard to reports on the company, which are published within the scope of the Apaton Finance GmbH as well as in the social media, on partner sites or in e-mails, on partner sites or in e-mails. The above references to existing conflicts of interest apply apply to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH uses for publications on companies.

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    Der Autor

    Stefan Feulner

    The native Franconian has more than 20 years of stock exchange experience and a broadly diversified network.
    He is passionate about analyzing a wide variety of business models and investigating new trends.

    About the author



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