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>Asus's 1Q24 earnings beat consensus by 46% thanks to major increase in operating margin driven by costs optimization. Adjusted Asus brand Op profit rose 227% YoY and 98% QoQ.</li>
<li>Asus will host a major AI PC launch event May 21st, with additional AI PCs launched at Computex in Taiwan June 4th. Will feature <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qualcomm-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:969:1" rel="noopener">Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US)</a> Snapdragon processors.</li>
<li>Asus confident in an PC upgrade cycle and has guided for sales to rise and margins to expand in the coming quarters. We maintain our Structural Long rating for Asus.</li>
</ul>


Asus's 1Q24 earnings beat consensus by 46% thanks to major increase in operating margin driven by costs optimization. Adjusted Asus brand Op profit rose 227% YoY and 98% QoQ.
Asus will host a major AI PC launch event May 21st, with additional AI PCs launched at Computex in Taiwan June 4th. Will feature Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US) Snapdragon processors.
Asus confident in an PC upgrade cycle and has guided for sales to rise and margins to expand in the coming quarters. We maintain our Structural Long rating for Asus.


Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

<ul>
<li>Strong Revenue Growth Signals Robust Demand in PC and Server Markets for Asustek and Acer</li>
<li>Asus Management Continues to Describe Multi-Year PC Growth Cycle Ahead; 3Q24 Will Be Start of 'New Product Lifecycle'</li>
<li>Visit to Guang Hua Digital Plaza to Review New PC Models First-Hand. Remain Structurally Long PC Makers; Acer, Asus, Dell.</li>
</ul>


Strong Revenue Growth Signals Robust Demand in PC and Server Markets for Asustek and Acer
Asus Management Continues to Describe Multi-Year PC Growth Cycle Ahead; 3Q24 Will Be Start of 'New Product Lifecycle'
Visit to Guang Hua Digital Plaza to Review New PC Models First-Hand. Remain Structurally Long PC Makers; Acer, Asus, Dell.


Asustek & Acer Key Takeaways: Strong July Revenue Growth and 'New Product Life Cycle' Starting 3Q24

<ul>
<li>Given market concerns that AI is overhyped and not yet delivering sufficient value, we analyze Microsoft's Copilot disclosures and examine signs of AI services traction among corporate clients.</li>
<li>Signs indicate that Copilot is gaining substantial traction with corporate clients, adding value to software development, business operations, and healthcare documentation functions.</li>
<li>The number of organizations paying for MSFT's AI services is expanding rapidly. We view this as a promising indicator of increased AI adoption and substantial value creation.</li>
</ul>


Given market concerns that AI is overhyped and not yet delivering sufficient value, we analyze Microsoft's Copilot disclosures and examine signs of AI services traction among corporate clients.
Signs indicate that Copilot is gaining substantial traction with corporate clients, adding value to software development, business operations, and healthcare documentation functions.
The number of organizations paying for MSFT's AI services is expanding rapidly. We view this as a promising indicator of increased AI adoption and substantial value creation.


PC Monitor: Promising Uptake of Microsoft Copilot and AI Services; Remain Structurally Long

<ul>
<li>Dell has outperformed Acer and other Taiwan PC names Asus and MSI by a wide margin. Close Long Dell vs. Short Acer. Dell's value gap has dissipated.</li>
<li>Latest indications from Dell and HP highlight that the AI PC's will drive upgrades from customers, but the PC recovery remains soft. AI PC impact only in 2025E.</li>
<li>Dell and HPQ's recent results provide positive color for upcoming Asus, Acer, and MSI results. Trade: Long Asus into its upcoming earnings results.</li>
</ul>


Dell has outperformed Acer and other Taiwan PC names Asus and MSI by a wide margin. Close Long Dell vs. Short Acer. Dell's value gap has dissipated.
Latest indications from Dell and HP highlight that the AI PC's will drive upgrades from customers, but the PC recovery remains soft. AI PC impact only in 2025E.
Dell and HPQ's recent results provide positive color for upcoming Asus, Acer, and MSI results. Trade: Long Asus into its upcoming earnings results.


PC Monitor: Long Dell Vs. Short Acer Update; Dell & HPQ Results Indicate Opportunity in Asus

<ul>
<li>PC Maker Shares Under Pressure -- PC makers' share prices fell by mid-to-high single digits during July. However, pure PC exposure outperformed as shown by HPQ's gain during the month.</li>
<li>Latest PC Industry Data is Promising -- Latest IDC data shows that global PC shipments increased 3% YoY in 2Q24, and are up 5% YoY ex-China.</li>
<li>Microsoft &amp; Taiwan PC Maker Earnings Ahead -- Microsoft reports July 30th U.S. time. We expect Taiwan PC makers to report earnings within the first two weeks of August.</li>
</ul>


PC Maker Shares Under Pressure -- PC makers' share prices fell by mid-to-high single digits during July. However, pure PC exposure outperformed as shown by HPQ's gain during the month.
Latest PC Industry Data is Promising -- Latest IDC data shows that global PC shipments increased 3% YoY in 2Q24, and are up 5% YoY ex-China.
Microsoft &amp; Taiwan PC Maker Earnings Ahead -- Microsoft reports July 30th U.S. time. We expect Taiwan PC makers to report earnings within the first two weeks of August.


PC Monitor: MSFT Results Imminent; Look for Copilot Progress; Taiwan PC Makers Show Healthy Growth

Taiwan

Asustek Computer Inc. manufactures and markets computer motherboards, interface cards, notebook computers, and other related products.

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Asustek Computer (2357 TT)

Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Asustek & Acer Key Takeaways: Strong July Revenue Growth and 'New Product Life Cycle' Starting 3Q24

Strong revenue growth in PC and server markets for Asustek and Acer signals robust demand, with Asus management forecasting a multi-year growth...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Promising Uptake of Microsoft Copilot and AI Services; Remain Structurally Long

MSFT's latest Copilot disclosures reveal growing traction with corporates, indicating increased AI adoption and value creation in software...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Long Dell Vs. Short Acer Update; Dell & HPQ Results Indicate Opportunity in Asus

Dell has outperformed Acer and other Taiwan PC names. Positive results from Dell and HPQ remove risk of disappointment in upcoming results for...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: MSFT Results Imminent; Look for Copilot Progress; Taiwan PC Makers Show Healthy Growth

PC makers' shares fell in July, but pure PC exposure like HPQ outperformed. Global PC shipments increased 3% YoY in 2Q24, with Microsoft and...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

​Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Asustek & Acer Key Takeaways: Strong July Revenue Growth and 'New Product Life Cycle' Starting 3Q24

​Strong revenue growth in PC and server markets for Asustek and Acer signals robust demand, with Asus management forecasting a multi-year growth...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Promising Uptake of Microsoft Copilot and AI Services; Remain Structurally Long

MSFT's latest Copilot disclosures reveal growing traction with corporates, indicating increased AI adoption and value creation in software...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Long Dell Vs. Short Acer Update; Dell & HPQ Results Indicate Opportunity in Asus

​Dell has outperformed Acer and other Taiwan PC names. Positive results from Dell and HPQ remove risk of disappointment in upcoming results for...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: MSFT Results Imminent; Look for Copilot Progress; Taiwan PC Makers Show Healthy Growth

​PC makers' shares fell in July, but pure PC exposure like HPQ outperformed. Global PC shipments increased 3% YoY in 2Q24, with Microsoft and...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Strong revenue growth in PC and server markets for Asustek and Acer signals robust demand, with Asus management forecasting a multi-year growth...

Dell has outperformed Acer and other Taiwan PC names. Positive results from Dell and HPQ remove risk of disappointment in upcoming results for...

PC makers' shares fell in July, but pure PC exposure like HPQ outperformed. Global PC shipments increased 3% YoY in 2Q24, with Microsoft and...