Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Zero One

Founded in 2015, Zero One produces independent investment research and provides corporate finance advisory services with a focus on both listed and private technology companies. Founder Vincent Fernando has over 20 years of experience in US and Asia capital markets.

Independent Investment Research

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>MSFT's new AI features for Windows will need computers with at least 16GB of DRAM to run effectively. MSFT is asking manufacturers for this as a minimum for AI models.</li>
<li>MSFT announced Copilot Pro for individuals and small businesses last week. The desire to use generative AI and the minimum required DRAM will drive accelerated PC upgrades.</li>
<li>We note relative strength in 16GB DRAM prices; In Memory space, we continue to see relative value in SK Hynix, however, Nanya has the opportunity to Outperform in Taiwan.</li>
</ul>


MSFT's new AI features for Windows will need computers with at least 16GB of DRAM to run effectively. MSFT is asking manufacturers for this as a minimum for AI models.
MSFT announced Copilot Pro for individuals and small businesses last week. The desire to use generative AI and the minimum required DRAM will drive accelerated PC upgrades.
We note relative strength in 16GB DRAM prices; In Memory space, we continue to see relative value in SK Hynix, however, Nanya has the opportunity to Outperform in Taiwan.


Memory Monitor: Microsoft Copilot Will Supercharge Demand for DRAM; SK Hynix, Nanya Tech, Micron

<ul>
<li>Asustek reported results on November 13th that beat analyst expectations thanks to a major margin rebound. The stock soared post results.</li>
<li>Asus plans to be the first company globally to release an AI PC, leveraging extensive AI R&amp;D across different devices as well as its leading market share in gaming PCs.</li>
<li>However, gaming PC competitor MSI is already moving fast; Shows how gaming PCs are likely to be the first AI PC battleground. Long Asustek, remains preferred over Acer.</li>
</ul>


Asustek reported results on November 13th that beat analyst expectations thanks to a major margin rebound. The stock soared post results.
Asus plans to be the first company globally to release an AI PC, leveraging extensive AI R&amp;D across different devices as well as its leading market share in gaming PCs.
However, gaming PC competitor MSI is already moving fast; Shows how gaming PCs are likely to be the first AI PC battleground. Long Asustek, remains preferred over Acer.


How Asustek Plans to Take the Lead Globally in AI PCs; Gaming PCs First Key Battleground

<ul>
<li>Intel's results last week beat expectations by a wide margin, with margins recovering better than expected by the Street and guided to keep improving through 4Q23E.</li>
<li>New Meteor Lake chips for PCs, branded as 'Intel Core Ultra' will officially launch December 14th and are expected to drive demand for new AI-optimized PCs in 2024E.</li>
<li>Intel said that the PC industry completed its inventory digestion in 1H23, drove sequential demand growth in 3Q23, and this is expected to continue into 4Q23E.</li>
</ul>


Intel's results last week beat expectations by a wide margin, with margins recovering better than expected by the Street and guided to keep improving through 4Q23E.
New Meteor Lake chips for PCs, branded as 'Intel Core Ultra' will officially launch December 14th and are expected to drive demand for new AI-optimized PCs in 2024E.
Intel said that the PC industry completed its inventory digestion in 1H23, drove sequential demand growth in 3Q23, and this is expected to continue into 4Q23E.


PC Monitor: Inventories Healthy & Intel Expects Over 100 Million AI PCs In Two Years

<ul>
<li>Dell and HP's latest results indicate an improving PC industry environment in 2H23E, though weaker than expected China demand has softened initial expectations.</li>
<li>A key take-away is that a major AI PC upgrade cycle is indeed on the horizon, with additional clarity now provided as to when and how it will unfold.</li>
<li>A 'step-change' AI PC upgrade cycle will make the strength of the current near-term cycle recovery less relevant, and isn't yet priced-in by the market.</li>
</ul>


Dell and HP's latest results indicate an improving PC industry environment in 2H23E, though weaker than expected China demand has softened initial expectations.
A key take-away is that a major AI PC upgrade cycle is indeed on the horizon, with additional clarity now provided as to when and how it will unfold.
A 'step-change' AI PC upgrade cycle will make the strength of the current near-term cycle recovery less relevant, and isn't yet priced-in by the market.


Recent Dell & HP Results Provide Additional Clarity on Coming AI PC Wave

<ul>
<li>Asustek and Acer recently reported 2Q23 results with both companies showing a rebound in margins and normalized inventory levels. The cycle trough is clearly past.</li>
<li>Asustek expects to grow its server product revenue by 500% by 2027 and is also developing AI PCs that could generate a significant sales volume by 3Q24.</li>
<li>The latest results and comments not just make a coming PC up-cycle clear, but also imply that it could be stronger than previous cycles thanks to AI PCs.</li>
</ul>


Asustek and Acer recently reported 2Q23 results with both companies showing a rebound in margins and normalized inventory levels. The cycle trough is clearly past.
Asustek expects to grow its server product revenue by 500% by 2027 and is also developing AI PCs that could generate a significant sales volume by 3Q24.
The latest results and comments not just make a coming PC up-cycle clear, but also imply that it could be stronger than previous cycles thanks to AI PCs.


PC Monitor: Asustek Preparing for AI PC Upgrade Wave, Volume Sales in 3Q24

Taiwan

Acer Inc. manufactures and distributes semiconductor products, personal computers, computer peripherals, multimedia products, and computer software. The Company also provides maintenance and repair services to customers.  In addition, Acer Inc. operates real estate business. The Company markets its products under the Acer brand name.

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Acer Inc (2353 TT)

Memory Monitor: Microsoft Copilot Will Supercharge Demand for DRAM; SK Hynix, Nanya Tech, Micron

Microsoft's new AI features for Windows require a minimum of 16GB of DRAM, prompting accelerated PC upgrades and a pulling forward of the demand...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

How Asustek Plans to Take the Lead Globally in AI PCs; Gaming PCs First Key Battleground

However, gaming PC competitor MSI is already moving fast; Shows how gaming PCs are likely to be the first AI PC battleground. Long Asustek, remains...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Inventories Healthy & Intel Expects Over 100 Million AI PCs In Two Years

New Meteor Lake chips launching in December are anticipated to boost demand for AI-optimized PCs in 2024. The PC industry's inventory digestion is...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Recent Dell & HP Results Provide Additional Clarity on Coming AI PC Wave

A 'step-change' AI PC upgrade cycle will make the strength of the current near-term cycle recovery less relevant, and isn't yet priced-in by the...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Asustek Preparing for AI PC Upgrade Wave, Volume Sales in 3Q24

Asustek and Acer recently reported 2Q23 results with both companies showing a rebound in margins and normalized inventory levels. The cycle trough...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Memory Monitor: Microsoft Copilot Will Supercharge Demand for DRAM; SK Hynix, Nanya Tech, Micron

​Microsoft's new AI features for Windows require a minimum of 16GB of DRAM, prompting accelerated PC upgrades and a pulling forward of the demand...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

How Asustek Plans to Take the Lead Globally in AI PCs; Gaming PCs First Key Battleground

However, gaming PC competitor MSI is already moving fast; Shows how gaming PCs are likely to be the first AI PC battleground. Long Asustek, remains...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Inventories Healthy & Intel Expects Over 100 Million AI PCs In Two Years

New Meteor Lake chips launching in December are anticipated to boost demand for AI-optimized PCs in 2024. The PC industry's inventory digestion is...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Recent Dell & HP Results Provide Additional Clarity on Coming AI PC Wave

A 'step-change' AI PC upgrade cycle will make the strength of the current near-term cycle recovery less relevant, and isn't yet priced-in by the...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Asustek Preparing for AI PC Upgrade Wave, Volume Sales in 3Q24

Asustek and Acer recently reported 2Q23 results with both companies showing a rebound in margins and normalized inventory levels. The cycle trough...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Microsoft's new AI features for Windows require a minimum of 16GB of DRAM, prompting accelerated PC upgrades and a pulling forward of the demand...