Semiconductor & Technology Specialist, Ingenuity

William Keating

Semiconductor & Technology Specialist

Ingenuity

Our focus is exclusively on in-depth research & consulting in the broader semiconductor industry. We focus on the key players, namely Intel, Micron, Qualcomm, Apple, Samsung, NVIDIA, AMD, TSMC & Global Foundries - as well as some of the lesser known, but nonetheless critical, companies such as ASML (for EUV), Mellanox, Cavium, Xilinx etc. We specialise in their products, roadmaps, process technologies, competitive advantages & threats etc. We also help our clients understand the implications of new and emerging technologies, e.g. 3D X-Point, 3D NAND, Carbon Nanotubes, Autonomous Driving, Graphene, Silicon Photonics, Wafer-Level Optics, Artificial Intelligence, FPGA, GPU, ASIC etc. 

Semiconductor Analysis & Research

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>PC, Smartphone Unit shipments both registering YoY growth in Q124</li>
<li>TSMC will beat guidance &amp; likely guide Q224 up ~5% QoQ. Samsung's pre earnings showed strong recovery in operating profit</li>
<li>Server unit shipments are on a ~17% YoY growth run rate</li>
</ul>


PC, Smartphone Unit shipments both registering YoY growth in Q124
TSMC will beat guidance &amp; likely guide Q224 up ~5% QoQ. Samsung's pre earnings showed strong recovery in operating profit
Server unit shipments are on a ~17% YoY growth run rate


Multiple Positive Catalysts Ahead Of Q124 Earnings Season

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

Vanguard Intl Semiconductor / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>The utilization rate for Vanguard in 1Q24F is at a recent low of 50-53%, indicating that the utilization rate is expected to increase from 2Q24 onwards.  </li>
<li>Vanguard should consider building a new 12" Fab in Singapore, aligning with our potential acquisition of Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)'s 40nm and above business.</li>
<li>In conclusion, the future outlook appears promising for the coming 3~4 years.  </li>
</ul>


The utilization rate for Vanguard in 1Q24F is at a recent low of 50-53%, indicating that the utilization rate is expected to increase from 2Q24 onwards.  
Vanguard should consider building a new 12" Fab in Singapore, aligning with our potential acquisition of Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)'s 40nm and above business.
In conclusion, the future outlook appears promising for the coming 3~4 years.  


Vanguard (5347.TT): A Consensus View to Build a New 12" Fab in Singapore.

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

<ul>
<li>Mediatek is advancing full speed with recent industry collaborations for automotive chips, data center connectivity solutions, and AI memory solutions.</li>
<li>In particular, the company has entered the market for Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), with partnerships announced with Foxconn and Ranovus.</li>
<li>While the stock has rallied and re-rated, consensus forward estimates do not appear overly demanding and could still have room to increase further.</li>
</ul>


Mediatek is advancing full speed with recent industry collaborations for automotive chips, data center connectivity solutions, and AI memory solutions.
In particular, the company has entered the market for Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), with partnerships announced with Foxconn and Ranovus.
While the stock has rallied and re-rated, consensus forward estimates do not appear overly demanding and could still have room to increase further.


Mediatek: Accelerating Momentum in Automotive, Data Center, and AI Memory Solutions

Autonomous Driving represents the perfect fusion of our love affair with automobiles and our fascination with artificial intelligence. It has been part of our collective imagination for decades, first epitomized at the 1939 New York World Fair Futurama exhibit which posited an automated highway system (AHS), sponsored by General Motors. Research on AHS conducted at The Ohio State University led to the development of the world's first partially autonomous vehicle in 1962. Fast forward half a century and the goal of achieving autonomous driving is firmly fixed in the glare of our automobile headlights. Leading automakers, as well as technology companies, are promising autonomous or at least highly autonomous automobiles within the next three years. At the forefront, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11369" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11369:1">Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US)</a> represented by its automotive spin-off Waymo, is in the process of launching the world's first driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/18811" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18811:1">General Motors Co (GM US)</a>, arguably the closest to Waymo in technology terms, has announced similar plans to launch an autonomous ride-sharing service in 2019.Not all is rosy in the autonomous driving garden, however. The sector has been plagued by high-profile defections of key staff leaving to either create their own startups or join competitors. These moves have led to equally high-profile and in some cases, embarrassing, law-suits. Other companies rush to hire talented artificial intelligence engineers has decimated the research ranks of leading universities.The safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology on our streets today has also been thrown into doubt in recent times. Just two days ago, on March 18'th, the first fatal accident involving an autonomous vehicle occurred in Phoenix Arizona, details <a href="https://electrek.co/2018/03/19/uber-self-driving-prototyp-fatal-crash-police/" target="_blank">here</a>. That vehicle was a Volvo XC90 and was part of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/430" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:430:1">Uber Technologies Inc</a> self-driving test fleet in the city. According to initial reports, the vehicle was operating in autonomous mode and had a safety driver on board. While we need to await the outcome of this particular investigation, previous incidents involving other autonomous vehicles highlight some astonishing shortcomings of the technology being used on our streets today. Indeed, there are now serious questions about the viability of so-called Level 3 autonomous driving in so far as they rely on emergency intervention by a driver highly likely to have been distracted by something more exciting than monitoring an automobile driving by itself. Autonomous driving is a subject far too broad to be covered in a single Insight. Consider this a primer where we begin by examining the origins of autonomous driving, tracing its roots back to 1960s which, by no coincidence, was also the starting point for much of the research on modern-day artificial intelligence. We look at the specific factors which combined to propel autonomous driving from the AI laboratories of prestigious universities to the drawing boards of multinationals around the globe. We review the framework for the different levels of autonomous driving and highlight the fact that most auto OEM's choose to largely ignore them. We then examine in detail the aforementioned issues with Level 3 autonomous driving and reveal that the technology used in the Volvo XC90, the vehicle involved in the recent fatal accident in Phoenix, specifically warns in its user manual that it should not be used for city driving and that it cannot detect pedestrians, cyclists etc. Recognizing the seminal role that <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/11369" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11369:1">Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US)</a> has played in advancing the technology, we provide an in-depth review of their self-driving initiative from its inception as a secretive Google X project to its current day incarnation as Waymo. By way of contrast, we examine the autonomous driving ambitions of one of the world's leading auto OEMs, General Motors, and provide a detailed review of their progress to date. Finally, we address the question on everybody's mind when it comes to autonomous driving - are we there yet?

Autonomous Driving represents the perfect fusion of our love affair with automobiles and our fascination with artificial intelligence. It has been part of our collective imagination for decades, first epitomized at the 1939 New York World Fair Futurama exhibit which posited an automated highway system (AHS), sponsored by General Motors. Research on AHS conducted at The Ohio State University led to the development of the world's first partially autonomous vehicle in 1962. Fast forward half a century and the goal of achieving autonomous driving is firmly fixed in the glare of our automobile headlights. Leading automakers, as well as technology companies, are promising autonomous or at least highly autonomous automobiles within the next three years. At the forefront, Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US) represented by its automotive spin-off Waymo, is in the process of launching the world's first driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona. General Motors Co (GM US), arguably the closest to Waymo in technology terms, has announced similar plans to launch an autonomous ride-sharing service in 2019.Not all is rosy in the autonomous driving garden, however. The sector has been plagued by high-profile defections of key staff leaving to either create their own startups or join competitors. These moves have led to equally high-profile and in some cases, embarrassing, law-suits. Other companies rush to hire talented artificial intelligence engineers has decimated the research ranks of leading universities.The safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology on our streets today has also been thrown into doubt in recent times. Just two days ago, on March 18'th, the first fatal accident involving an autonomous vehicle occurred in Phoenix Arizona, details here. That vehicle was a Volvo XC90 and was part of Uber Technologies Inc self-driving test fleet in the city. According to initial reports, the vehicle was operating in autonomous mode and had a safety driver on board. While we need to await the outcome of this particular investigation, previous incidents involving other autonomous vehicles highlight some astonishing shortcomings of the technology being used on our streets today. Indeed, there are now serious questions about the viability of so-called Level 3 autonomous driving in so far as they rely on emergency intervention by a driver highly likely to have been distracted by something more exciting than monitoring an automobile driving by itself. Autonomous driving is a subject far too broad to be covered in a single Insight. Consider this a primer where we begin by examining the origins of autonomous driving, tracing its roots back to 1960s which, by no coincidence, was also the starting point for much of the research on modern-day artificial intelligence. We look at the specific factors which combined to propel autonomous driving from the AI laboratories of prestigious universities to the drawing boards of multinationals around the globe. We review the framework for the different levels of autonomous driving and highlight the fact that most auto OEM's choose to largely ignore them. We then examine in detail the aforementioned issues with Level 3 autonomous driving and reveal that the technology used in the Volvo XC90, the vehicle involved in the recent fatal accident in Phoenix, specifically warns in its user manual that it should not be used for city driving and that it cannot detect pedestrians, cyclists etc. Recognizing the seminal role that Alphabet Inc Cl C (GOOG US) has played in advancing the technology, we provide an in-depth review of their self-driving initiative from its inception as a secretive Google X project to its current day incarnation as Waymo. By way of contrast, we examine the autonomous driving ambitions of one of the world's leading auto OEMs, General Motors, and provide a detailed review of their progress to date. Finally, we address the question on everybody's mind when it comes to autonomous driving - are we there yet?

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mediatek-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:772:1" rel="noopener">Mediatek Inc (2454 TT)</a> Dimensity 9400 is expected to be released in September 2024F.  </li>
<li>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a trending topic, and MediaTek is adapting by emphasizing Generative AI functionality in its Dimensity 9300 and 9400 smartphone models.  </li>
<li>The smartphone market is expected to recover in 2024F, with MediaTek's revenue in the second quarter potentially surpassing the first quarter.</li>
</ul>



Mediatek Inc (2454 TT) Dimensity 9400 is expected to be released in September 2024F.  
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a trending topic, and MediaTek is adapting by emphasizing Generative AI functionality in its Dimensity 9300 and 9400 smartphone models.  
The smartphone market is expected to recover in 2024F, with MediaTek's revenue in the second quarter potentially surpassing the first quarter.


MediaTek (2454.TT): Dimensity 9400 Unveiled in Sep; 2Q24F Sales Could Be a Bit Higher than 1Q24F.

United States

QUALCOMM, Inc . manufactures digital wireless communications equipment.  The Company licenses its code division multiple access (CDMA) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing access intellectual property to other companies, and produces CDMA-based integrated circuits; and produces equipment and software used to track workers and assets; and software for wireless content enablement.

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Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US)

Multiple Positive Catalysts Ahead Of Q124 Earnings Season

PC, Smartphone Unit shipments both registering YoY growth in Q124. TSMC will beat guidance. Samsung sees strength in memory, smartphone shipments....

William Keating

Vanguard (5347.TT): A Consensus View to Build a New 12" Fab in Singapore.

Vanguard's utilization rate is low in 1Q24F but expected to rise in 2Q24, potential new Fab in Singapore and acquisition of TSMC's business point...

Patrick Liao

Mediatek: Accelerating Momentum in Automotive, Data Center, and AI Memory Solutions

Mediatek is expanding rapidly with collaborations in automotive, data center, and AI, including new partnerships for Co-Packaged Optics,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Autonomous Driving- Are We There Yet?

I find it fascinating to read this again, almost six years to the day since I published it. I intend to publish an update on this topic in the...

William Keating

MediaTek (2454.TT): Dimensity 9400 Unveiled in Sep; 2Q24F Sales Could Be a Bit Higher than 1Q24F.

Dimensity 9400 is expected to be released in September 2024F. Generative AI in its Dimensity 9300 and 9400. MediaTek's revenue in the second...

Patrick Liao

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Multiple Positive Catalysts Ahead Of Q124 Earnings Season

PC, Smartphone Unit shipments both registering YoY growth in Q124. TSMC will beat guidance. Samsung sees strength in memory, smartphone shipments....

William Keating

Vanguard (5347.TT): A Consensus View to Build a New 12" Fab in Singapore.

​Vanguard's utilization rate is low in 1Q24F but expected to rise in 2Q24, potential new Fab in Singapore and acquisition of TSMC's business point...

Patrick Liao

Mediatek: Accelerating Momentum in Automotive, Data Center, and AI Memory Solutions

​Mediatek is expanding rapidly with collaborations in automotive, data center, and AI, including new partnerships for Co-Packaged Optics,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Autonomous Driving- Are We There Yet?

I find it fascinating to read this again, almost six years to the day since I published it. I intend to publish an update on this topic in the...

William Keating

MediaTek (2454.TT): Dimensity 9400 Unveiled in Sep; 2Q24F Sales Could Be a Bit Higher than 1Q24F.

Dimensity 9400 is expected to be released in September 2024F. Generative AI in its Dimensity 9300 and 9400. MediaTek's revenue in the second...

Patrick Liao

Vanguard's utilization rate is low in 1Q24F but expected to rise in 2Q24, potential new Fab in Singapore and acquisition of TSMC's business point...

Mediatek is expanding rapidly with collaborations in automotive, data center, and AI, including new partnerships for Co-Packaged Optics,...