Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nanofilm-technologies-international" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29700:1" rel="noopener">Nanofilm (NANO SP)</a> is a Singapore-based nanotechnology solutions provider. Its principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of advanced materials and nanoproducts for the consumer electronics, communications, and automotive industries.Founded in 1999 by Executive Chairman Dr Shi Xu, who was then an associate professor at Nanyang Technology University (NTU)'s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanofilm raised approximately SGD470.1 million in IPO proceeds in October 2020.During its short history as a public company, the company had to endure significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par H1 2021 results and senior management changes, including the abrupt resignations of former CEO, Mr Lee Liang Huang and former COO, Mr Ricky Tan, in quick succession (June and August 2021 respectively). Dr Shi, assumed the role of interim CEO, until the <a href="https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/nanofilm-appoints-new-ceo-says-it-continues-to-see-growth-momentum-for-business#:~:text=MAINBOARD%2DLISTED%20Nanofilm%20Technologies%20International,on%20Thursday%20(Oct%2014)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent appointment</a> of Mr Gary Ho Hock Yong, as Nanofilm's CEO.  Dr Shi served as the company's CEO from 1999 to 2017. On 14 October 2021, Nanofilm provided a business update for Q3 2021, which highlighted continued growth momentum despite a volatile business environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. In this Insight, we examine Nanofilm's financial and business risks based on its IPO prospectus disclosures and certain new risks that emerged given latest available facts and developments, including but not limited to the following: <ol>
<li>High Customer Concentration  </li>
<li>Competition from Alternative Products and Solutions</li>
<li>Significant Management Changes </li>
<li>Management Share Disposals </li>
</ol>Accordingly, we highlight the key areas of concern for investors.

Nanofilm (NANO SP) is a Singapore-based nanotechnology solutions provider. Its principal business is the manufacturing and distribution of advanced materials and nanoproducts for the consumer electronics, communications, and automotive industries.Founded in 1999 by Executive Chairman Dr Shi Xu, who was then an associate professor at Nanyang Technology University (NTU)'s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanofilm raised approximately SGD470.1 million in IPO proceeds in October 2020.During its short history as a public company, the company had to endure significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par H1 2021 results and senior management changes, including the abrupt resignations of former CEO, Mr Lee Liang Huang and former COO, Mr Ricky Tan, in quick succession (June and August 2021 respectively). Dr Shi, assumed the role of interim CEO, until the recent appointment of Mr Gary Ho Hock Yong, as Nanofilm's CEO.  Dr Shi served as the company's CEO from 1999 to 2017. On 14 October 2021, Nanofilm provided a business update for Q3 2021, which highlighted continued growth momentum despite a volatile business environment, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions. In this Insight, we examine Nanofilm's financial and business risks based on its IPO prospectus disclosures and certain new risks that emerged given latest available facts and developments, including but not limited to the following: 
High Customer Concentration  
Competition from Alternative Products and Solutions
Significant Management Changes 
Management Share Disposals 
Accordingly, we highlight the key areas of concern for investors. 

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst, Obex Capital Research

Aaron Gabin

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research Analyst

TMT & Consumer Independent Equity Research

Obex Capital Research

“Obex” is Latin for Barriers to Entry. Obex Capital Management’s investment philosophy is driven by an intense focus on which business model’s Barriers to Entry are able to withstand the ever increasing competitive disruption in the TMT and Consumer Sectors.

Equity Bottom-Up

Apple's quasi loss in the Epic lawsuit regarding app store take rates makes us all the more bullish on one of our favorite longs...Match Group. And also more bullish on Roblox (another long recommendation) and ATVI (less a beneficiary, but still a good entry point. We think Spotify and Netflix's benefits are overstated. Spotify has run too much on the news, and we think its potentially another good short entry point.

Apple's quasi loss in the Epic lawsuit regarding app store take rates makes us all the more bullish on one of our favorite longs...Match Group. And also more bullish on Roblox (another long recommendation) and ATVI (less a beneficiary, but still a good entry point. We think Spotify and Netflix's benefits are overstated. Spotify has run too much on the news, and we think its potentially another good short entry point.

Apple's App Store Price Cut Beneficiaries

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

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Significant revenue guidance hike -- TSMC reported 2Q24 results, increasing 2024E revenue growth guidance to exceed 'mid-20's' percent, a significant hike from previous guidance.</li>
<li>Management is low-balling LT margins -- Latest figures and long-term margin color makes us believe that TSMC will be able to increase GM much higher than current official LT guidance.</li>
<li>Signs of Apple expecting strong iPhone 16 sales -- TSMC reported strength in smartphone end-applications and we believe this is reflective of Apple ramping up re: stronger iPhone volume expectations.</li>
</ul>


Significant revenue guidance hike -- TSMC reported 2Q24 results, increasing 2024E revenue growth guidance to exceed 'mid-20's' percent, a significant hike from previous guidance.
Management is low-balling LT margins -- Latest figures and long-term margin color makes us believe that TSMC will be able to increase GM much higher than current official LT guidance.
Signs of Apple expecting strong iPhone 16 sales -- TSMC reported strength in smartphone end-applications and we believe this is reflective of Apple ramping up re: stronger iPhone volume expectations.


We See TSMC's Margins Increasing Much Higher Than Guidance in Long-Term; 2Q24 Shows Apple Ramping Up

Blue Lotus China New Economy Research, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Eric Wen

Blue Lotus China New Economy Research

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>981 HK/1810 HK: Huawei to launch updated Nova series smartphones (+//)</li>
<li>BEKE US:China's residential property prices show narrowing MoM decline in June (+)</li>
<li>1810 HK/AAPL US: IDC publishes 2Q24 smartphone sales data (+)</li>
</ul>


981 HK/1810 HK: Huawei to launch updated Nova series smartphones (+//)
BEKE US:China's residential property prices show narrowing MoM decline in June (+)
1810 HK/AAPL US: IDC publishes 2Q24 smartphone sales data (+)


[Blue Lotus Daily]:981 HK/1810 HK/BEKE US/AAPL US/688036 CH/QCOM US

Top 10 Mega Caps | Artificial Intelligence, Mint Finance

Uttkarsh Kohli

Top 10 Mega Caps | Artificial Intelligence

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

<ul>
<li>TSMC’s June 2024 revenue increased by 32.9% YoY, exceeding expectations with $6.42 billion. </li>
<li>It dominates with &gt;62% of the global foundry market share, propelled by AI demand. </li>
<li>Expansion into the automotive market and new fabs in the U.S. and Japan highlight TSMC’s growth strategy. </li>
</ul>


TSMC’s June 2024 revenue increased by 32.9% YoY, exceeding expectations with $6.42 billion. 
It dominates with &gt;62% of the global foundry market share, propelled by AI demand. 
Expansion into the automotive market and new fabs in the U.S. and Japan highlight TSMC’s growth strategy. 


[Q2 Earnings Preview] TSMC: All Eyes on 2nm Chips, Fab Expansion & Continued Earnings Beat

United States

Western Digital Corporation is a global provider of solutions for the collection, storage, management, protection and use of digital content, including audio and video. The Company's products include hard drives, solid-state drives, and home entertainment and networking products.

HP Inc. provides imaging and printing systems, computing systems, mobile devices, solutions, and services for business and home. The Company offers products which includes laser and inkjet printers, scanners, copiers and faxes, personal computers, workstations, storage solutions, and other computing and printing systems. HP sells its products worldwide.

Super Micro Computer, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and sells server solutions based on modular and open-standard x86 architecture. The Company's products include servers, motherboards, chassis, and accessories.

Seagate Technology Holdings Public Limited Company offers computer hardware products. The Company designs, manufactures, and markets hard disk drives for enterprise applications, client compute applications, client non-compute applications, personal data backup systems, portable external storage systems and digital media systems.

NetApp, Inc. provides storage and data management solutions. The Company's storage solutions include specialized hardware, software, and services that provide storage management for open network environments. NetApp  serves enterprises, government agencies, and universities worldwide.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company provides information technology solutions. The Company offers enterprise security, analytics and data management, applications development and testing, data center care, cloud consulting, and business process services. Hewlett Packard Enterprise serves customers worldwide.

Pure Storage, Inc. provides enterprise storage solutions. The Company offers flash enterprise arrays for high performance workloads, including server consolidation, virtualization desktop, database, and cloud computing. Pure Storage serves customers throughout the United States.

NCR Corporation manufactures financial transaction machines and other products. The Company produces automated teller machines (ATM), self-checkout and self-service kiosks, point-of-sale workstations and scanners; manufactures printer consumable products; and manages networks and servers for ATMs and kiosks.

Avid Technology, Inc. develops, markets, sells, and supports a variety of software and systems for creating and manipulating digital media content. The Company develops and sells digital editing systems and newsroom computer systems, as well as digital audio systems.  Avid's products are used worldwide in production and post-production film, video, and television facilities.

Xerox Holdings Corporation operates as a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries provides printers, scanners, supplies, and accessories. Xerox Holdings serves health care, insurance, government and retail sectors worldwide.

Canon Inc. is a professional and consumer imaging solutions company and patent-holder of digital imaging technologies. The Company's products include networked multifunction devices, digital and analog copiers, computer peripherals, facsimile machines, image filing systems, camcorders, cameras and lenses, semiconductor, and broadcast and medical equipment.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products such as semiconductors, personal computers, peripherals, monitors, televisions, and home appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens. The Company also produces Internet access network systems and telecommunications equipment including mobile phones.

Quanta Computer Inc. manufactures and markets notebook computers and related peripheral equipment.

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation develops, sells and services Imaging, Information, and Document Solutions.  Its products include color films, digital cameras, photofinishing products and equipment.  The Group also manufactures medical and graphic art use equipment and materials, FPD materials, and optical devices, and provides services on office copy machines, printers, and related equipment.

NEC Corporation manufactures and markets computers, telecommunication equipment, electronic devices, semiconductors, and software.  The Company's products include printers, modems, cellular phones, plasma display panels (PDP), network systems, memory, integrated circuits (IC), thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), and printed circuit boards (PCB). NEC operates worldwide.

BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. manufactures display products. The Company produces display panels, sensor devices, and other products. BOE Technology Group supplies its products in mobile phones, tablets, notebooks, monitors, and other fields.

Wistron Corporation manufactures and markets notebook computers, personal computers, and other related information products.

Inspur Electronic Information Industry Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets computer servers, computer terminal products, electronic products, and telecommunication equipment.  The Company also develops computer software, provides system integration services, and operates in import and export trading.

Inspur Electronic Infmtn Indtry (000977 CH)

Advantech Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets embedded personal computers (PC), network computing products, industrial automation products, and panel PCs.

Pegatron Corp is a design, manufacturing and service company. The Company produces motherboards, desktop PCs, notebooks, broadband, wireless systems, game consoles, networking, multimedia, LCD TV, and more.

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets smartphones, personal computers, tablets, wearables and accessories, and sells a variety of related accessories. The Company also offers payment, digital content, cloud and advertising services. Apple Inc.'s customers are primarily in consumer, small & mid-sized business, education, enterprise and government markets worldwide.

Price Gauge
52-week Range	0.00 - 0.00
Market Cap (USDm)	0.00
P/E	0.00
Dividend (Yield)	0.00

Apple (AAPL US)

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

In its short listed history, Nanofilm endured significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par results, management share disposals and...

Jason Yap, CFA

Apple's App Store Price Cut Beneficiaries

Apple's quasi loss in the Epic lawsuit regarding app store take rates makes us all the more bullish on one of our favorite longs...Match Group.

Aaron Gabin

We See TSMC's Margins Increasing Much Higher Than Guidance in Long-Term; 2Q24 Shows Apple Ramping Up

TSMC raises revenue guidance significantly for 2024E. We also see many signs that TSMC can earn higher LT margins than it is guiding. TSMC shows...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

[Blue Lotus Daily]:981 HK/1810 HK/BEKE US/AAPL US/688036 CH/QCOM US

Huawei to launch updated Nova series smartphones, China's residential property prices show narrowing decline, IDC publishes 2Q24 smartphone sales...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

[Q2 Earnings Preview] TSMC: All Eyes on 2nm Chips, Fab Expansion & Continued Earnings Beat

TSMC reports Q2 results on 18/Jul. Investors will look to fabs expansion in US & Japan, & progress in 2nm & 3nm chips. TSMC holding 62% of global...

Mint Finance

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Understanding Nanofilm (Nano SP)'s 3Cs - Customer Concentration, Competition and Management Changes

In its short listed history, Nanofilm endured significant regulator and investor scrutiny following sub-par results, management share disposals and...

Jason Yap, CFA

Apple's App Store Price Cut Beneficiaries

Apple's quasi loss in the Epic lawsuit regarding app store take rates makes us all the more bullish on one of our favorite longs...Match Group.

Aaron Gabin

We See TSMC's Margins Increasing Much Higher Than Guidance in Long-Term; 2Q24 Shows Apple Ramping Up

​TSMC raises revenue guidance significantly for 2024E. We also see many signs that TSMC can earn higher LT margins than it is guiding. TSMC shows...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

[Blue Lotus Daily]:981 HK/1810 HK/BEKE US/AAPL US/688036 CH/QCOM US

​Huawei to launch updated Nova series smartphones, China's residential property prices show narrowing decline, IDC publishes 2Q24 smartphone sales...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

[Q2 Earnings Preview] TSMC: All Eyes on 2nm Chips, Fab Expansion & Continued Earnings Beat

TSMC reports Q2 results on 18/Jul. Investors will look to fabs expansion in US & Japan, & progress in 2nm & 3nm chips. TSMC holding 62% of global...

Mint Finance

TSMC raises revenue guidance significantly for 2024E. We also see many signs that TSMC can earn higher LT margins than it is guiding. TSMC shows...

Huawei to launch updated Nova series smartphones, China's residential property prices show narrowing decline, IDC publishes 2Q24 smartphone sales...