President, Vision Research

Robert C Prather Jr

President

Vision Research

Vision Research was formed in 2004 with the vision of generating the best possible fundamental analysis and investment research for smid cap US equities. In 2008, we broadened our coverage to include mid/large cap US stocks.  After researching a  few ideas outside the US each year for a number of years, we launched a dedicated non-US equity product at the end of 2015.  This was followed by the introduction of a product focused on IPOs in mid-2017.

Fundamental Insight

Equity Bottom-Up

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

While current tailwinds exist for Taiwan Semiconductor, the world's largest foundry faces significant competitive threats from the #2 player, Samsung.  Samsung desires to capture the #1 market position by 2030.  Samsung has been undercutting the competition on price, investing heavily in capex to gain share in lower nm products and appears to be about 2 years ahead of TSMC on the latest technology GAA-FET.  TSMC will face difficult comparisons in 2H21, a major customer may be slowing purchases, margins may have peaked, and forward estimates and lofty multiples on top of  those estimates, may create downside opportunity in the medium and long term.

While current tailwinds exist for Taiwan Semiconductor, the world's largest foundry faces significant competitive threats from the #2 player, Samsung.  Samsung desires to capture the #1 market position by 2030.  Samsung has been undercutting the competition on price, investing heavily in capex to gain share in lower nm products and appears to be about 2 years ahead of TSMC on the latest technology GAA-FET.  TSMC will face difficult comparisons in 2H21, a major customer may be slowing purchases, margins may have peaked, and forward estimates and lofty multiples on top of  those estimates, may create downside opportunity in the medium and long term.

Taiwan Semiconductor (2330 TT, TSM): Samsung Is Serious About Stealing Share

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)

2020 was a year of two halves as far as semiconductor memory was concerned. The first two quarters saw rising ASPs for both DRAM and NAND. In the case of the former, it was the reversal of a five-quarter period of declining ASPs and, in the case of the latter, the reversal of an eight quarter downward ASP spiral. That recovery changed trajectory in the second half of the year when ASPs once again declined across the board during the third and fourth quarters. So, where exactly are we in terms of the current memory cycle and what can we expect in the quarters and years ahead? Here's our thoughts on the matter.

2020 was a year of two halves as far as semiconductor memory was concerned. The first two quarters saw rising ASPs for both DRAM and NAND. In the case of the former, it was the reversal of a five-quarter period of declining ASPs and, in the case of the latter, the reversal of an eight quarter downward ASP spiral. That recovery changed trajectory in the second half of the year when ASPs once again declined across the board during the third and fourth quarters. So, where exactly are we in terms of the current memory cycle and what can we expect in the quarters and years ahead? Here's our thoughts on the matter.

Semiconductor Memory Cycles. Where Are We At & Where Are We Going?

Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory, ROK Advisory LLC

Ken S. Kim

Founder/CEO of ROK Advisory

ROK Advisory LLC

ROK is an independent research advisory firm. We guide you to minimize the information gap between foreign and local investors in Northeast Asia with a focus in Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Independent Research Advisory Firm

Event-Driven

On the latest earnings call, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-electronics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:191:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)</a> responded to a question on M&amp;A that has perked the interest of investors.   Is a M&amp;A in the cards in the near future?  We examine the likelihood and possible target(s).

On the latest earnings call, Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) responded to a question on M&amp;A that has perked the interest of investors.   Is a M&amp;A in the cards in the near future?  We examine the likelihood and possible target(s). 

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One, Periscope Analytics

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

The short sell ban in Korea that was instated on 16 March 2020 is set to expire on 15 March.However, with mayoral elections in Seoul and Busan around the corner, politicians are said to be leaning on the FSC to extend the short sell ban. Add to that the retail outrage - from petitions to the Blue House, bus tours, and posts on K-Streetbets of targeting stocks with high short interest.There is a high likelihood that the short sell ban gets extended by three more months to tide the politicians over the mayoral elections.In the event that the short sell ban expires, we highlight stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the short sell ban, stocks with high short interest as a percentage of market cap and free float, and high days of ADV to cover.This will have implications for many strategies and will open the door to trade the ordinaries vs preferred shares, long/short and other related strategies.

The short sell ban in Korea that was instated on 16 March 2020 is set to expire on 15 March.However, with mayoral elections in Seoul and Busan around the corner, politicians are said to be leaning on the FSC to extend the short sell ban. Add to that the retail outrage - from petitions to the Blue House, bus tours, and posts on K-Streetbets of targeting stocks with high short interest.There is a high likelihood that the short sell ban gets extended by three more months to tide the politicians over the mayoral elections.In the event that the short sell ban expires, we highlight stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the short sell ban, stocks with high short interest as a percentage of market cap and free float, and high days of ADV to cover.This will have implications for many strategies and will open the door to trade the ordinaries vs preferred shares, long/short and other related strategies.

Korea Short Sell Ban: Elections, Public Outrage, Bus Tours, Blue House Petitions, K-Streetbets

<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel</a>'s CEO in waiting, Pat Gelsinger, joined last week's earnings call along with outgoing CEO Bob Swan and Chairman of the Board, Omar Ishrak. Among many other things, he promised a return to a "Grovian, maniacal execution", a reference to the management style of the company's first employee and third CEO, the legendary Andy Grove. Is this what Intel has been missing and what the company requires in its hour of need? Here's our thoughts on the matter.

Intel's CEO in waiting, Pat Gelsinger, joined last week's earnings call along with outgoing CEO Bob Swan and Chairman of the Board, Omar Ishrak. Among many other things, he promised a return to a "Grovian, maniacal execution", a reference to the management style of the company's first employee and third CEO, the legendary Andy Grove. Is this what Intel has been missing and what the company requires in its hour of need? Here's our thoughts on the matter. 

Intel. Will A Return To A Grovian, Maniacal Execution Style Save The Day?

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.

Samsung Electronics Pref Shares (005935 KS)

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

Samsung Electronics Pref Shares (005935 KS)

Semiconductor Memory Cycles. Where Are We At & Where Are We Going?

With the memory boom & bust cycle of the past three years in our rear view mirror, we posit that we are now entering a period of greater stability...

William Keating

Samsung Electronics - M&A in the Cards?

Samsung Electronics' M&A desire. To me there is a clear target that can be done in the near future even with JY Lee in the can.

Ken S. Kim

Korea Short Sell Ban: Elections, Public Outrage, Bus Tours, Blue House Petitions, K-Streetbets

With the short sell ban in Korea scheduled to expire 15 March, we look at stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the ban,...

Brian Freitas

Intel. Will A Return To A Grovian, Maniacal Execution Style Save The Day?

Intel's incoming CEO is promising a return to a "Grovian, maniacal execution" style. What exactly is this and is it what Intel needs at this time?

William Keating

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Taiwan Semiconductor (2330 TT, TSM): Samsung Is Serious About Stealing Share

Peak growth, peak margins, and peak multiples have pushed TSMC to all time highs. Difficult comps and increasing competition may lead to share...

Robert C Prather Jr

Semiconductor Memory Cycles. Where Are We At & Where Are We Going?

With the memory boom & bust cycle of the past three years in our rear view mirror, we posit that we are now entering a period of greater stability...

William Keating

Samsung Electronics - M&A in the Cards?

Samsung Electronics' M&A desire. To me there is a clear target that can be done in the near future even with JY Lee in the can.

Ken S. Kim

Korea Short Sell Ban: Elections, Public Outrage, Bus Tours, Blue House Petitions, K-Streetbets

With the short sell ban in Korea scheduled to expire 15 March, we look at stocks that have seen the most short covering since the start of the ban,...

Brian Freitas

Intel. Will A Return To A Grovian, Maniacal Execution Style Save The Day?

Intel's incoming CEO is promising a return to a "Grovian, maniacal execution" style. What exactly is this and is it what Intel needs at this time?

William Keating