Research from Water Tower Research, Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research

Research from Water Tower Research

Water Tower Research is a leading equity research firm that provides research on micro, small and mid cap companies.

Water Tower Research was founded by Wall Street veterans after witnessing a fundamental shift in the investment research industry with the result being a declining knowledge base among investors, a lack of awareness and a shrinking pool of fundamental research being conducted on companies across the small-cap and micro-cap spectrum. The same issues are now increasingly occurring in the mid-cap space. This sea change within the investment community is impacting not only the companies themselves but also current shareholders and potential investors. With significantly less active sell-side sponsorship by Wall Street, a substantial information gap has developed between companies and various constituents in the financial community. The net result is fewer channels for insight and information to flow between companies and investors.

Equity Research Firm

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>WTR Sustainable Index: During the week ended May 19, 2023, the WTR Sustainable Index outperformed the broader market, rising 4.4% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (up 1.6%), the Russell 2000 Index (up 1.9%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (up 3.0%).</li>
<li>Advanced Transportation Solutions (69.0% of the index) drove the index’s outperformance, rising 6.2%, while Energy Technology (7.9% of the index) was up 0.1% and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology was up 0.9%.</li>
<li>Valuation: Based on forward 12-month consensus estimates, the current P/E ratio of the WTR Sustainable index is 25.9x versus 19.5x for the S&amp;P 500.</li>
</ul>


WTR Sustainable Index: During the week ended May 19, 2023, the WTR Sustainable Index outperformed the broader market, rising 4.4% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (up 1.6%), the Russell 2000 Index (up 1.9%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (up 3.0%).
Advanced Transportation Solutions (69.0% of the index) drove the index’s outperformance, rising 6.2%, while Energy Technology (7.9% of the index) was up 0.1% and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology was up 0.9%.
Valuation: Based on forward 12-month consensus estimates, the current P/E ratio of the WTR Sustainable index is 25.9x versus 19.5x for the S&amp;P 500.


Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor : Week Ended May 19, 2023

Managing Director, Zero One, Zero One

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Managing Director, Zero One

Equity Bottom-Up

Hon Hai Precision Industry / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>In our view, Hon Hai 3Q23 results showcased stability for 2023E ahead of expected growth in 2024E-2025E.</li>
<li>The company has maintained its 2025E 10% gross margin target and highlighted how its EV business expansion is continuing.</li>
<li>While Consumer Electronics revenue is expected to fall this year, PC Products is expected to grow given the company believes the PC market has bottomed. Stay Long Hon Hai.</li>
</ul>


In our view, Hon Hai 3Q23 results showcased stability for 2023E ahead of expected growth in 2024E-2025E.
The company has maintained its 2025E 10% gross margin target and highlighted how its EV business expansion is continuing.
While Consumer Electronics revenue is expected to fall this year, PC Products is expected to grow given the company believes the PC market has bottomed. Stay Long Hon Hai.


Hon Hai Sees Computing Products Rebound, PC Market Bottomed; EV Expanding

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

<ul>
<li>Another major earnings week with AMD, Qualcomm, Apple, Acer, Winbond, Wistron, Micro-Star, and more.</li>
<li>Hon Hai could terminate its investment deal in U.S.-based Lordstown Motors as per an exchange notice posted by Lordstown.</li>
<li>AMD reportedly transfers some 4nm chip business to Samsung from TSMC.</li>
</ul>


Another major earnings week with AMD, Qualcomm, Apple, Acer, Winbond, Wistron, Micro-Star, and more.
Hon Hai could terminate its investment deal in U.S.-based Lordstown Motors as per an exchange notice posted by Lordstown.
AMD reportedly transfers some 4nm chip business to Samsung from TSMC.


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Another Major Earnings Week; Hon Hai Deal Exit? AMD Transfers Orders to Samsung

<ul>
<li>Hon Hai results slightly beat on revenue and slightly missed on EPS, but overall the result was decent since China COVID margin impact was well managed.</li>
<li>The company has reiterated its 2025 target for gross margin to rise to 10% and over NT$1 trillion of revenue by 2025 from its new Electric Vehicle platform business. </li>
<li>While 2023E revenue was guided to be flat YoY, this was already roughly expected. We maintain our structural Long view on the shares.</li>
</ul>


Hon Hai results slightly beat on revenue and slightly missed on EPS, but overall the result was decent since China COVID margin impact was well managed.
The company has reiterated its 2025 target for gross margin to rise to 10% and over NT$1 trillion of revenue by 2025 from its new Electric Vehicle platform business. 
While 2023E revenue was guided to be flat YoY, this was already roughly expected. We maintain our structural Long view on the shares.


Hon Hai Results: Managed Q4 COVID Issues Well, Reiterates Margin Expansion & EV Targets; Stay Long

<ul><li>The WTR Sustainable Index underperformed the broader market, falling 10.3% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (down 4.5%), the Russell 2000 Index (down 8.1%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (down 4.7%).</li><li>Advanced Transportation Solutions (67.9% of the index) drove the index underperformance, falling 12.4%, while Industrial Climate and Ag Technology (23.6% of the index) was down 3.4% and Energy Technology was down 10.3%.</li><li>Top 10 Performers: WWR, ABML, EFOI, LPEN, AMYZF, FCSMD, REE, PPSI, JEV.V, TPIC</li></ul>

The WTR Sustainable Index underperformed the broader market, falling 10.3% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (down 4.5%), the Russell 2000 Index (down 8.1%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (down 4.7%).Advanced Transportation Solutions (67.9% of the index) drove the index underperformance, falling 12.4%, while Industrial Climate and Ag Technology (23.6% of the index) was down 3.4% and Energy Technology was down 10.3%.Top 10 Performers: WWR, ABML, EFOI, LPEN, AMYZF, FCSMD, REE, PPSI, JEV.V, TPIC

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor: Week Ended March 10, 2023

United States

New Pride Corp manufactures and distributes tires for intermodal transports. The Company products includes OEM and retread tires, and also provdies inspection service for intermodal transport related.

Superior Industries International, Inc. designs and manufactures motor vehicle parts and accessories.  The Company's products are sold to original equipment manufacturers and the automotive aftermarket on an integrated one-segment basis. Superior's products include vehicle aluminum road wheels, as well as custom road wheels and accessories.

Strattec Security Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks, and related security products. The Company's customers include auto and light truck manufacturers, over-the-road heavy truck manufacturers, and recreational vehicle manufacturers.

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. manufactures replacement alternators and starters for imported and domestic cars and light trucks in the United States and Canada.  The Company also assembles and distributes ignition wire sets for imported and domestic cars and light trucks.  Motorcar Parts has facilities in the United States, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Reading International, Inc. owns and operates cinemas and develops, owns, and operates real estate assets. The Company develops, owns, and operates multiplex cinemas and commercial real estates in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

Winnebago Industries, Inc. manufactures motor homes that are self-contained recreation vehicles used primarily in leisure travel and outdoor recreation activities.  The Company's motor homes are sold through dealer organizations under the Winnebago, Itasca, Rialta, and Ultimate brand names. Winnebago also manufactures extruded aluminum, commercial vehicles, and components.

Lumber Liquidators Holdings, Inc. retails hardwood flooring in the United States.  The Company sells domestic and exotic wood species in both prefinished and unfinished forms.

The Container Store Group, Inc. operates specialty retail stores. The Company offers storage, organizational products and solutions. The Container Store Group owns and operates its retail stores throughout the United States.

2U, Inc. provides online educational services. The Company offers graduate and undergraduate degree programs in social work, data science, public administration, healthcare, laws, and industrial relations. 2U serves customers  worldwide.

Big Lots, Inc. is a broadline closeout retailer that operates stores across the United States.  The Company's stores offer an assortment of merchandise, including consumables, seasonal products, furniture, housewares, toys, and gifts.

KR Motors Co., Ltd. manufactures motorcycles, scooters, and automotive parts. The Company provides its products to domestic and overseas markets.

Aftab Automobiles Limited, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a vehicle assembler and body fabricator primarily in Bangladesh. The company assembles Toyota Land Cruiser soft top/pick-up, Land Cruiser Prado, Hino buses, and Hino mini buses/truck chassis. It also produces motorcycles; and manufactures and markets automotive, industrial, and solar batteries. The company was incorporated in 1967 and is headquartered in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Vmoto Limited manufactures, marketss and distributes scooters, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles.  The Company has operations in Australia, New Zealand the Americas, and the Middle East.

Majestic Auto Limited manufactures a variety of motorized two-wheel vehicles, including scooters and mopeds.  The Company manufactures an assortment of wheel spokes and nipples for cars, motorized two-wheelers and bicycles, as well as Hero Allegro exerbikes, steppers and joggers.  Majestic exports its products to Africa, North & South America, Europe and the Middle East.

Hybrid Kinetic Group Ltd. seeks to develop and manufacture hybrid vehicles. The Company's initial targeted production is targeted for 2012.

Her Chee Industrial Co., Ltd. manufactures and markets all terrain vehicles (ATVs), go karts, electric bicycles (E-Bikes), motorbikes, scooters, as well as related parts and accessories.

AEON Motor Co Ltd. manufactures and distributes terrain and electric vehicles. The Company sells ATVs, motorcycles and electric carrying vehicle, as well as spare parts. AEON Motor Co Ltd. offers its products in Taiwan.

Hindustan Motors Limited manufactures cars, trucks, diesel engines, bulldozers, cranes, dumpers, compactors, shovels and scrapers. The Company also manufactures a wide range of steel products, axle assemblies, special purpose machine tools, hydraulic pumps and hydraulic valves.

Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (Holdings) Limited manufactures scooter and cub motorbikes.  The Company produces motorbike engines and parts for use in its own motorbikes and for sale, and also sells and services moulds for making die-cast and forged metal parts.

Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing (422 HK)

Vietnam Manufacturing and Export Processing

Scooters India Limited manufactures and distributes motorized 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler scooters.

Nu Ride Inc. designs and manufactures electric vehicles. The Company offers electric light duty and pickup trucks, and other vehicles. Nu Ride serves customers in the United States.

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

Nu Ride (NRDE US)

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor : Week Ended May 19, 2023

Valuation: Based on forward 12-month consensus estimates, the current P/E ratio of the WTR Sustainable index is 25.9x versus 19.5x for the S&P 500.

Water Tower Research

Hon Hai Sees Computing Products Rebound, PC Market Bottomed; EV Expanding

Hon Hai 3Q23 results showcased stability for 2023E... ahead of expected strong profit growth in 2024E-2025E. Computing Products will show relative...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Another Major Earnings Week; Hon Hai Deal Exit? AMD Transfers Orders to Samsung

Hon Hai could terminate its investment deal in U.S.-based Lordstown Motors as per an exchange notice posted by Lordstown.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Hon Hai Results: Managed Q4 COVID Issues Well, Reiterates Margin Expansion & EV Targets; Stay Long

The company has reiterated its 2025 target for gross margin to rise to 10% and over NT$1 trillion of revenue by 2025 from its new Electric Vehicle...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor: Week Ended March 10, 2023

The WTR Sustainable Index underperformed the broader market, falling 10.3% W/W versus the S&P 500 Index (down 4.5%), the Russell 2000 Index (down...

Water Tower Research

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)