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>The WTR Sustainable Index underperformed the broader market, falling 4.9% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (down 2.7%), the Russell 2000 Index (down 2.9%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (down 3.3%).</li><li>Advanced Transportation Solutions (70.2% of the index) drove the underperformance, falling 6.0% , while Energy Technology (8.3% of index) was down 5.4% and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology was down 1.9%.</li><li>Top 10 Performers: NNOMF, LMRMF, VMC.V, APPH, FIX, AROC, LOOP, KTOS, CUBXF, TPIC</li></ul>

The WTR Sustainable Index underperformed the broader market, falling 4.9% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (down 2.7%), the Russell 2000 Index (down 2.9%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (down 3.3%).Advanced Transportation Solutions (70.2% of the index) drove the underperformance, falling 6.0% , while Energy Technology (8.3% of index) was down 5.4% and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology was down 1.9%.Top 10 Performers: NNOMF, LMRMF, VMC.V, APPH, FIX, AROC, LOOP, KTOS, CUBXF, TPIC

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor: Week Ended February 24, 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>Latest Nvidia and Apple developments are positive signals for Hon Hai, we continue to view Hon Hai as a Structural Long and also outline a potential Long/Short.</li>
<li>The Nvidia chips Hon Hai is partnered with to use in its EV autonomous driving systems are based on 7-nm technology, thus restricted for any mainland China competitors.</li>
<li>On the Apple front, Hon Hai is also reported to have won exclusive production for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.</li>
</ul>


Latest Nvidia and Apple developments are positive signals for Hon Hai, we continue to view Hon Hai as a Structural Long and also outline a potential Long/Short.
The Nvidia chips Hon Hai is partnered with to use in its EV autonomous driving systems are based on 7-nm technology, thus restricted for any mainland China competitors.
On the Apple front, Hon Hai is also reported to have won exclusive production for the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max.


Hon Hai Precision: Nvidia Chip Partnership Shows Emerging EV Advantage, Apple Issues Improving; Buy

<ul><li>WTR Sustainable Index: During the week ended February 10, 2023, the WTR Sustainable Index outperformed the broader market, rising 0.2% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (down 1.1%), the Russell 2000 Index (down 3.4%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (down 2.4%). Advanced Transportation Solutions (70% of the index) drove the outperformance, rising 1.7% , while Energy Technology (9% of index) was down 5.0% and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology was down 2.2%.</li><li>Valuation: Based on forward 12-month consensus estimates, the current P/E ratio of the WTR Sustainable index is 24.5x versus 18.4x for the S&amp;P 500.</li><li>Consensus estimates changes: During the week ended February 10, 2023, there were five <span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">increases</span> (three in Energy Technology and two in Industrial Climate and Ag Technology) 2022 revenue estimates. There were <span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;">decreases</span> in 2022 revenue estimates for two companies each in Advanced Transportation Solutions and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology.</li></ul>

WTR Sustainable Index: During the week ended February 10, 2023, the WTR Sustainable Index outperformed the broader market, rising 0.2% W/W versus the S&amp;P 500 Index (down 1.1%), the Russell 2000 Index (down 3.4%), and the Nasdaq Composite Index (down 2.4%). Advanced Transportation Solutions (70% of the index) drove the outperformance, rising 1.7% , while Energy Technology (9% of index) was down 5.0% and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology was down 2.2%.Valuation: Based on forward 12-month consensus estimates, the current P/E ratio of the WTR Sustainable index is 24.5x versus 18.4x for the S&amp;P 500.Consensus estimates changes: During the week ended February 10, 2023, there were five increases (three in Energy Technology and two in Industrial Climate and Ag Technology) 2022 revenue estimates. There were decreases in 2022 revenue estimates for two companies each in Advanced Transportation Solutions and Industrial Climate and Ag Technology.

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor: Week Ended February 10, 2023

<ul>
<li>Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT) reported 3Q22 EPS of NT$2.80 yesterday, below consensus estimates of NT$2.95, partly due to gross margin falling QoQ.</li>
<li>The company emphasized that 4Q22E could be impacted by Zhengzhou issues, but would be short-term in nature. It still aims to achieve a 10% gross margin by 2025.</li>
<li>EV business continues to expand and shares are trading near lower-end of their recent trading range.</li>
</ul>


Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT) reported 3Q22 EPS of NT$2.80 yesterday, below consensus estimates of NT$2.95, partly due to gross margin falling QoQ.
The company emphasized that 4Q22E could be impacted by Zhengzhou issues, but would be short-term in nature. It still aims to achieve a 10% gross margin by 2025.
EV business continues to expand and shares are trading near lower-end of their recent trading range.


Hon Hai 3Q22 Results Call: Indicates COVID Issue Manageable, Maintains LT Margin Expansion Target

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hon-hai-precision-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:745:1" rel="noopener">Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)</a>  announced today that it will invest up to US$170m into <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lordstown-motors-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33123:1" rel="noopener">Lordstown Motors Corp (RIDE US).</a>
</li>
<li>The deal represents favorable terms for Hon Hai in our view, given the conversion price of preferred shares involved in the deal and the after-market price for Lordstown shares.</li>
<li>Germany is expected to block a chip facility acquisition by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/navtech-inc-china" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:25361:1" rel="noopener">Navtech Inc/China (300456 CH)</a>; Alibaba and Biren are slowing chip speeds due to U.S. curbs; Lithuan-Taiwan chip partnership.</li>
</ul>



Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)  announced today that it will invest up to US$170m into Lordstown Motors Corp (RIDE US).

The deal represents favorable terms for Hon Hai in our view, given the conversion price of preferred shares involved in the deal and the after-market price for Lordstown shares.
Germany is expected to block a chip facility acquisition by Navtech Inc/China (300456 CH); Alibaba and Biren are slowing chip speeds due to U.S. curbs; Lithuan-Taiwan chip partnership.


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Hon Hai U.S. Listco EV Deal, Germany Likely to Block China Co's Factory Purchase

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.

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Nu Ride (NRDE US)

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor: Week Ended February 24, 2023

The WTR Sustainable Index underperformed the broader market, falling 4.9% W/W versus the S&P 500 Index (down 2.7%), the Russell 2000 Index...

Water Tower Research

Hon Hai Precision: Nvidia Chip Partnership Shows Emerging EV Advantage, Apple Issues Improving; Buy

Latest Nvidia and Apple developments are positive signals for Hon Hai, we continue to view Hon Hai as a Structural Long and also outline a...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Weekly Sustainable Investing Surveyor: Week Ended February 10, 2023

Based on forward 12-month consensus estimates, the current P/E ratio of the WTR Sustainable index is 24.5x versus 18.4x for the S&P 500.

Water Tower Research

Hon Hai 3Q22 Results Call: Indicates COVID Issue Manageable, Maintains LT Margin Expansion Target

The company emphasized that 4Q22E could be impacted by Zhengzhou issues, but would be short-term in nature. It still aims to achieve a 10% gross...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Hon Hai U.S. Listco EV Deal, Germany Likely to Block China Co's Factory Purchase

Hon Hai-Lordstown deal represents favorable terms for Hon Hai in our view, given the conversion price of preferred shares involved in the deal.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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