Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

Equity Bottom-Up

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

<ul>
<li>The rally of the Asia Tech sector (+24% YTD) is highly concentrated in a handful of stocks. TSMC is up 64% but Samsung is down -22% YTD. </li>
<li>With the exception of AI, end-demand isn’t great. Smartphone up 8% but below 2019-21 level. PC flattish. x86 Server flattish. Telecom capex declining. Automotive electronics declining.   </li>
<li>AI is the most disruptive trend since Cloud in 2010. Years of increasing Capex are in front of us. But short-term, stocks are properly valued to rich, growth is slowing.</li>
</ul>


The rally of the Asia Tech sector (+24% YTD) is highly concentrated in a handful of stocks. TSMC is up 64% but Samsung is down -22% YTD. 
With the exception of AI, end-demand isn’t great. Smartphone up 8% but below 2019-21 level. PC flattish. x86 Server flattish. Telecom capex declining. Automotive electronics declining.   
AI is the most disruptive trend since Cloud in 2010. Years of increasing Capex are in front of us. But short-term, stocks are properly valued to rich, growth is slowing.


All Is Not Well in Tech Sector, AI Growth Slows, TSMC Expensive. Samsung, SK Hynix More Attractive.

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing, Clepsydra Capital

Sanghyun Park

Korea / Special Sits, Pairs, Index Rebalancing

Clepsydra Capital

Investigate special situations, pairs, and index rebalancing trades in Korea.

Event-Driven

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance / Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>With the 15% ownership cap complicating buybacks, Samsung Fire’s more likely to roll out a dividend-focused value-up play instead.</li>
<li>They’ve flagged a mix of shareholder returns and investments, but the big question is how much will be funneled into returns this year.</li>
<li>If Samsung Fire hits a 50% shareholder return this year, DPS could jump to ₩23,000–₩25,000 with a 6.5% yield, potentially boosting the stock price by 20–30%.</li>
</ul>


With the 15% ownership cap complicating buybacks, Samsung Fire’s more likely to roll out a dividend-focused value-up play instead.
They’ve flagged a mix of shareholder returns and investments, but the big question is how much will be funneled into returns this year.
If Samsung Fire hits a 50% shareholder return this year, DPS could jump to ₩23,000–₩25,000 with a 6.5% yield, potentially boosting the stock price by 20–30%.


Why Samsung Fire Is Shaping Up to Be the Hottest Dividend Play Ahead of the Value-Up Disclosure

Global TMT Analyst, Ex-PM, 30 years experience

Neil Campling

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Generative AI seen through the lens of corporate earnings shows a lack of ROI or growth drivers in applications <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/broadcom-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:998:1" rel="noopener">Broadcom (AVGO US)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hewlett-packard-enterprise-co" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26511:1" rel="noopener">Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE US)</a>  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alphabet-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33361:1" rel="noopener">Alphabet (GOOGL US)</a> </li>
<li>U.S. semi equipment restrictions to China could negatively impact Tokyo Electron, ASML results in 2025 <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asml-holding-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21097:1" rel="noopener">ASML Holding NV (ASML NA)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokyo-electron-device-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10301:1" rel="noopener">Tokyo Electron Device (2760 JP)</a> </li>
<li>Flagship global Tech conference in NYC suggests interest has picked up in global software above hardware in a notable shift</li>
</ul>


Generative AI seen through the lens of corporate earnings shows a lack of ROI or growth drivers in applications Broadcom (AVGO US)Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE US)  Alphabet (GOOGL US) 
U.S. semi equipment restrictions to China could negatively impact Tokyo Electron, ASML results in 2025 ASML Holding NV (ASML NA)Tokyo Electron Device (2760 JP) 
Flagship global Tech conference in NYC suggests interest has picked up in global software above hardware in a notable shift


Global Tech Weekly - Focus on AI, Semis, China V U.S., Software V Hardware. AI Party Ending?

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>Apple Increasing Chip Orders with TSMC -- Expecting iPhone 16 Sales to be Much Stronger Than iPhone 15 Thanks to AI</li>
<li>Google Said to be Shifting to TSMC from Samsung for Next Generation AI Mobile Phone Chips</li>
<li>This June 28th piece appears to be timely -- Memory Monitor: Micron's Shares May Be Falling But Results' Industry Implications Are Positive</li>
</ul>


Apple Increasing Chip Orders with TSMC -- Expecting iPhone 16 Sales to be Much Stronger Than iPhone 15 Thanks to AI
Google Said to be Shifting to TSMC from Samsung for Next Generation AI Mobile Phone Chips
This June 28th piece appears to be timely -- Memory Monitor: Micron's Shares May Be Falling But Results' Industry Implications Are Positive


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Apple Hikes TSMC Orders on Strong IPhone 16 Hopes; Google Shifts AI Chip to TSMC

Silicon Motion Technology / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Silicon Motion's lQ24 results confirmed the company's end-demand strength as implied by previous Samsung and SK Hynix management commentary re: solid state memory.</li>
<li>Management has increased 2024E guidance, citing rising ASPs and strong demand due to its memory controller products' usage in edge AI applications such as AI PCs and AI smartphones.</li>
<li>The street upgraded target prices across the board after the results; however we note the stock remains below its past acquistion offer price by Maxlinear and we see further upside.</li>
</ul>


Silicon Motion's lQ24 results confirmed the company's end-demand strength as implied by previous Samsung and SK Hynix management commentary re: solid state memory.
Management has increased 2024E guidance, citing rising ASPs and strong demand due to its memory controller products' usage in edge AI applications such as AI PCs and AI smartphones.
The street upgraded target prices across the board after the results; however we note the stock remains below its past acquistion offer price by Maxlinear and we see further upside.


Silicon Motion: Leader in Powerful Niche for Edge AI Memory; Plus Key Wins for Data Center Solution

South Korea

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. manufactures a wide range of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products such as semiconductors, personal computers, peripherals, monitors, televisions, and home appliances including air conditioners and microwave ovens. The Company also produces Internet access network systems and telecommunications equipment including mobile phones.

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Samsung Electronics (SMSN LI)

All Is Not Well in Tech Sector, AI Growth Slows, TSMC Expensive. Samsung, SK Hynix More Attractive.

Difficult juncture for Asia Tech. Consumer and Enterprise segments are flattish; stocks have underperformed. AI is the only growth driver, growth...

Nicolas Baratte

Why Samsung Fire Is Shaping Up to Be the Hottest Dividend Play Ahead of the Value-Up Disclosure

Samsung Fire is emerging as the top dividend play with the value-up angle. This post dives into why the market’s abuzz about the potential dividend...

Sanghyun Park

Global Tech Weekly - Focus on AI, Semis, China V U.S., Software V Hardware. AI Party Ending?

AI related earnings exhibit a lack of ROI or uplift. Is the AI euphoria coming to an end? More U.S. sanctions could hurt Japan & European...

Neil Campling

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Apple Hikes TSMC Orders on Strong IPhone 16 Hopes; Google Shifts AI Chip to TSMC

Apple and Google are increasing chip orders with TSMC for AI capabilities. Micron's shares inititially fell after reporting results previously,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Silicon Motion: Leader in Powerful Niche for Edge AI Memory; Plus Key Wins for Data Center Solution

SIMO increased 2024E guidance citing rising ASPs and demand for memory controller products in edge AI applications. Remains well below past...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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All Is Not Well in Tech Sector, AI Growth Slows, TSMC Expensive. Samsung, SK Hynix More Attractive.

Difficult juncture for ​Asia Tech. Consumer and Enterprise segments are flattish; stocks have underperformed. AI is the only growth driver, growth...

Nicolas Baratte

Why Samsung Fire Is Shaping Up to Be the Hottest Dividend Play Ahead of the Value-Up Disclosure

Samsung Fire is emerging as the top dividend play with the value-up angle. This post dives into why the market’s abuzz about the potential dividend...

Sanghyun Park

Global Tech Weekly - Focus on AI, Semis, China V U.S., Software V Hardware. AI Party Ending?

AI related earnings exhibit a lack of ROI or uplift. Is the AI euphoria coming to an end? More U.S. sanctions could hurt Japan & European...

Neil Campling

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Apple Hikes TSMC Orders on Strong IPhone 16 Hopes; Google Shifts AI Chip to TSMC

​Apple and Google are increasing chip orders with TSMC for AI capabilities. Micron's shares inititially fell after reporting results previously,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Silicon Motion: Leader in Powerful Niche for Edge AI Memory; Plus Key Wins for Data Center Solution

SIMO increased 2024E guidance citing rising ASPs and demand for memory controller products in edge AI applications. Remains well below past...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Difficult juncture for Asia Tech. Consumer and Enterprise segments are flattish; stocks have underperformed. AI is the only growth driver, growth...

Apple and Google are increasing chip orders with TSMC for AI capabilities. Micron's shares inititially fell after reporting results previously,...