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

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Nvidia GTC Conference This Week Likely to Create Newsflow for Many Tech Names</li>
<li>Samsung Could Hike NAND Flash Prices by 20%; Silicon Motion for Exposure</li>
<li>TSMC Reportedly Placing Orders for Additional Advanced Packaging Capacity, Likely In Response to Demand Strength</li>
</ul>


Nvidia GTC Conference This Week Likely to Create Newsflow for Many Tech Names
Samsung Could Hike NAND Flash Prices by 20%; Silicon Motion for Exposure
TSMC Reportedly Placing Orders for Additional Advanced Packaging Capacity, Likely In Response to Demand Strength


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Nvidia Conference; Samsung to Hike NAND Prices; TSMC Adding Capex Due to Demand

<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>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

China

Lenovo Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, sells, and manufactures personal computers and handheld devices. The Company also provides Internet services and IT services, and contracting manufacturing business.

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Lenovo Group Ltd Adr (LNVGY US)

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

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Nvidia Conference; Samsung to Hike NAND Prices; TSMC Adding Capex Due to Demand

Many Taiwanese companies participating at Nvidia's GTC conference this week. Local reports say Samsung to hike NAND flash prices by 20%. Also,...

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

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

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

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Nvidia Conference; Samsung to Hike NAND Prices; TSMC Adding Capex Due to Demand

​Many Taiwanese companies participating at Nvidia's GTC conference this week. Local reports say Samsung to hike NAND flash prices by 20%. Also,...

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

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

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

Many Taiwanese companies participating at Nvidia's GTC conference this week. Local reports say Samsung to hike NAND flash prices by 20%. Also,...

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

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...