Semiconductors, Memory and SSDs Specialist, Objective Analysis

Jim Handy

Semiconductors, Memory and SSDs Specialist

Objective Analysis

Objective Analysis offers third-party independent market research and data for the semiconductor industry and investors in the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductors, Memory and SSDs

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>While March semiconductor revenues reached record levels, a price downturn appears to have begun.  This downturn seems likely to have a short duration before the market resumes its good growth for the rest of the year.</p>

While March semiconductor revenues reached record levels, a price downturn appears to have begun.  This downturn seems likely to have a short duration before the market resumes its good growth for the rest of the year.

Chief Economist & Political Strategist, CrossASEAN Research

Prasenjit K. Basu

Chief Economist & Political Strategist

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Macroeconomics

<p><em><strong>Taiwan's real GDP grew 3.1% in 2020 (faster than the PRC's 2.3%), and accelerated to 8.2% YoY growth in 1Q 2021, led by a capex surge. The latter should accelerate further as the global semiconductor shortage and surging demand for computers, parts and peripherals induce an investment boom in Taiwan. We recommend staying solidly Overweight Taiwan. </strong></em></p><p>Taiwan's real GDP accelerated to 8.2% YoY growth in 1Q 2021, after growing 3.1% in 2020 -- faster than the People's Republic of China's 2.3% -- including an acceleration to 4.7% YoY growth in 2H 2020. Over the latest 4 quarters, Taiwan has comfortably had the fastest-growing economy among the world's developed economies, with its real GDP expanding 4.5%, the rare economy without a solitary quarter of YoY contraction in 2020. The acceleration in 1Q 2021 was led by a surge in net external demand, bolstered by 8.3% YoY growth in gross investment. The global semiconductor cycle will continue to bolster net-external-demand-led growth through the rest of 2021, with 2Q 2021 likely to see close to 10% YoY growth. For the full year, Taiwan's real GDP will likely grow 7%.</p><p>Exports expanded 27.3% YoY in March 2021 (and 24.5% YoY in 1Q 2021), led by soaring demand for semiconductors and computers (including parts like PCBs, for all of which Taiwan is a leading global manufacturer), and even stronger growth in smaller export categories like plastics and chemicals. Imports accelerated to 20.9% YoY growth in 1Q 2021, reflecting the strengthening of domestic demand, which broadened the economic recovery. </p><p>The global electronics cycle will likely spur continued strength in Taiwan's economy through the rest of this year. The semiconductor shortage has played to Taiwan's core strength, and demand for computers &amp; parts (benefiting <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/acer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15726:1" rel="noopener">Acer Inc (2353 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asustek-computer-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13002:1" rel="noopener">Asustek Computer (2357 TT)</a>) should also remain strong. The major global winner remains <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8587:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor Sp Adr (TSM US)</a> , which has taken a huge lead at the top end of the semiconductor chain (with 84% global market share in 5nm ICs), and is ploughing much of its US$20 billion profits last year (from US$48 billion revenue) into re-investment to widen its lead over its competitors. While any such capex surge in cutting-edge technology is inherently risky/uncertain, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8587:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor Sp Adr (TSM US)</a> 's market positioning raises the probability of success, implying greater pricing power as its lead over rivals expands further. That Taiwanese corporates have been careful to ensure that the high end of their manufacturing (cutting-edge technology, capital-goods output, research and design) stays in Taiwan (creating an annual bilateral trade surplus of over US$100 billion with the PRC). Although the PRC is the largest destination for Taiwan's exports, the processing in the PRC can be gradually moved elsewhere (Vietnam, Malaysia, India) if it becomes politically/militarily threatened. The capex-led growth of Taiwanese corporates should hugely bolster Taiwan's economy this year, and we recommend staying solidly Overweight Taiwan.   </p>

Taiwan's real GDP grew 3.1% in 2020 (faster than the PRC's 2.3%), and accelerated to 8.2% YoY growth in 1Q 2021, led by a capex surge. The latter should accelerate further as the global semiconductor shortage and surging demand for computers, parts and peripherals induce an investment boom in Taiwan. We recommend staying solidly Overweight Taiwan. Taiwan's real GDP accelerated to 8.2% YoY growth in 1Q 2021, after growing 3.1% in 2020 -- faster than the People's Republic of China's 2.3% -- including an acceleration to 4.7% YoY growth in 2H 2020. Over the latest 4 quarters, Taiwan has comfortably had the fastest-growing economy among the world's developed economies, with its real GDP expanding 4.5%, the rare economy without a solitary quarter of YoY contraction in 2020. The acceleration in 1Q 2021 was led by a surge in net external demand, bolstered by 8.3% YoY growth in gross investment. The global semiconductor cycle will continue to bolster net-external-demand-led growth through the rest of 2021, with 2Q 2021 likely to see close to 10% YoY growth. For the full year, Taiwan's real GDP will likely grow 7%.Exports expanded 27.3% YoY in March 2021 (and 24.5% YoY in 1Q 2021), led by soaring demand for semiconductors and computers (including parts like PCBs, for all of which Taiwan is a leading global manufacturer), and even stronger growth in smaller export categories like plastics and chemicals. Imports accelerated to 20.9% YoY growth in 1Q 2021, reflecting the strengthening of domestic demand, which broadened the economic recovery. The global electronics cycle will likely spur continued strength in Taiwan's economy through the rest of this year. The semiconductor shortage has played to Taiwan's core strength, and demand for computers &amp; parts (benefiting Acer Inc (2353 TT) and Asustek Computer (2357 TT)) should also remain strong. The major global winner remains Taiwan Semiconductor Sp Adr (TSM US) , which has taken a huge lead at the top end of the semiconductor chain (with 84% global market share in 5nm ICs), and is ploughing much of its US$20 billion profits last year (from US$48 billion revenue) into re-investment to widen its lead over its competitors. While any such capex surge in cutting-edge technology is inherently risky/uncertain, Taiwan Semiconductor Sp Adr (TSM US) 's market positioning raises the probability of success, implying greater pricing power as its lead over rivals expands further. That Taiwanese corporates have been careful to ensure that the high end of their manufacturing (cutting-edge technology, capital-goods output, research and design) stays in Taiwan (creating an annual bilateral trade surplus of over US$100 billion with the PRC). Although the PRC is the largest destination for Taiwan's exports, the processing in the PRC can be gradually moved elsewhere (Vietnam, Malaysia, India) if it becomes politically/militarily threatened. The capex-led growth of Taiwanese corporates should hugely bolster Taiwan's economy this year, and we recommend staying solidly Overweight Taiwan.   

Taiwan: The Rich World's Growth Star Continues to Shine

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<div><p>The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.</p></div><div><p>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/meituan-dianping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26970:1" rel="noopener">Meituan (3690 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wuxi-apptec" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23679:1" rel="noopener">Wuxi Biologics (2269 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/haidilao-international-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27044:1" rel="noopener">Haidilao (6862 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-int-l-holding-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22803:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunny-optical-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13363:1" rel="noopener">Sunny Optical (2382 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-insurance-grp-co-of-china-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12880:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/country-garden-services-holdings-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27343:1" rel="noopener">Country Garden Services Holdings (6098 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baidu-inc-a55ca720-5968-48f0-8194-ac94390d065c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32212:1" rel="noopener">Baidu (9888 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zhongsheng-group-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10573:1" rel="noopener">Zhongsheng Group (881 HK)</a>. Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary, Health Care and Information Technology sectors, and decreased in the Communication Services and Financials sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nexon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16032:1" rel="noopener">Nexon (3659 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/orix-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9936:1" rel="noopener">Orix Corp (8591 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/toshiba-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:637:1" rel="noopener">Toshiba Corp (6502 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hitachi-metals-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8561:1" rel="noopener">Hitachi Metals (5486 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shiseido-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5718:1" rel="noopener">Shiseido Company (4911 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tokai-carbon-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9145:1" rel="noopener">Tokai Carbon (5301 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yaskawa-electric-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2458:1" rel="noopener">Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a>. Shorts increased in the Financials and Communication Services sectors, and decreased in the Information Technology and Consumer Staples sectors.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-biologics-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22932:1" rel="noopener">Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS)</a>, <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>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/samsung-sdi-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:503:1" rel="noopener">Samsung SDI (006400 KS)</a> during the week.</p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yageo-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13212:1" rel="noopener">Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/novatek-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10904:1" rel="noopener">Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/evergreen-marine-corp-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15428:1" rel="noopener">Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fitipower-integrated-tech" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8712:1" rel="noopener">Fitipower Integrated Tech (4961 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/genius-electronic-optical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9632:1" rel="noopener">Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hannstar-display-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13922:1" rel="noopener">Hannstar Display (6116 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-cement" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19736:1" rel="noopener">Taiwan Cement (1101 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/focaltech-systems-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11240:1" rel="noopener">Focaltech Systems (3545 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/winbond-electronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9177:1" rel="noopener">Winbond Electronics (2344 TT)</a>. </p></div>

The Asia Short Interest weekly looks at moves in market wide short interest and highlights movements in stock specific short interest across Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan using the last available data published by the relevant authorities.Hong Kong saw shorts rise on Meituan (3690 HK), Wuxi Biologics (2269 HK), Haidilao (6862 HK), Yihai Int’L Holding (1579 HK) and Sunny Optical (2382 HK) while there was short covering on Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK), Country Garden Services Holdings (6098 HK), Baidu (9888 HK) and Zhongsheng Group (881 HK). Shorts increased in the Consumer Discretionary, Health Care and Information Technology sectors, and decreased in the Communication Services and Financials sectors.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Nexon (3659 JP), Orix Corp (8591 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) and Hitachi Metals (5486 JP) while shorts decreased on Shiseido Company (4911 JP), Tokai Carbon (5301 JP), Yaskawa Electric (6506 JP) and Canon Inc (7751 JP). Shorts increased in the Financials and Communication Services sectors, and decreased in the Information Technology and Consumer Staples sectors.In Korea, shorts decreased on Samsung Biologics Co., (207940 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), Celltrion Inc (068270 KS) and Samsung SDI (006400 KS) during the week.Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT), TSMC (2330 TT) and Fitipower Integrated Tech (4961 TT) while shorts were covered on Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT), Hannstar Display (6116 TT), Taiwan Cement (1101 TT), Focaltech Systems (3545 TT) and Winbond Electronics (2344 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: Meituan, WuxiBio, Tencent, Nexon, Orix, Toshiba, Shiseido, Samsung, Hannstar

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

<p>This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.  </p><p><strong><em>Companies mentioned this week:</em></strong></p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com Inc. (9618 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/prosus-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28104:1" rel="noopener">Prosus (PRX NA)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naspers-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21085:1" rel="noopener">Naspers (NPN SJ)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/tencent-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26:1" rel="noopener">Tencent Holdings (700 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xiaomi-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24409:1" rel="noopener">Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anglo-american-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21798:1" rel="noopener">Anglo American (AAL LN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/axiata-group-berhad" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:944:1" rel="noopener">Axiata Group (AXIATA MK)</a>, GlobalFoundries, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/taiwan-semiconductor-manufacturing-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11230:1" rel="noopener">TSMC (2330 TT)</a>, <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></p>

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity indices.  Companies mentioned this week:JD.com Inc. (9618 HK), Prosus (PRX NA), Naspers (NPN SJ), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), Anglo American (AAL LN), Axiata Group (AXIATA MK), GlobalFoundries, TSMC (2330 TT), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS)

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 9 April 2021

<p>For the third month in a row semiconductor revenues have been 14% or more above trend, to set historic records.  This Smartkarma Insight explores this phenomenon and the price dynamic that is driving it.</p>

For the third month in a row semiconductor revenues have been 14% or more above trend, to set historic records.  This Smartkarma Insight explores this phenomenon and the price dynamic that is driving it.

February Semiconductor Revenues Remain Impressively Above Trend

Taiwan

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. manufactures and markets integrated circuits. The Company provides the following services: wafer manufacturing, wafer probing, assembly and testing, mask production, and design services. TSMC's ICs are used in computer, communication, consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial equipment industries.

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

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) (2330 TT)

March Semiconductor Sales Up Yet Again

The SIA reported very positive semiconductor revenues for the first quarter, but leading indicators show that a correction has begun. This Insight...

Jim Handy

Taiwan: The Rich World's Growth Star Continues to Shine

Taiwan has been the rich-world's growth star, with real GDP up 4.5% in the last 12 months, including 8.2% YoY growth in 1Q2021. With capex set to...

Prasenjit K. Basu

Asia Short Interest: Meituan, WuxiBio, Tencent, Nexon, Orix, Toshiba, Shiseido, Samsung, Hannstar

The Insight looks at large short interest movements across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and highlights large increases/decreases in shorts to...

Brian Freitas

Global Emerging Markets Weekly: 9 April 2021

This insight provides a summary of the key news developments impacting the largest countries and constituents of the Global Emerging Markets equity...

Wium Malan, CFA

February Semiconductor Revenues Remain Impressively Above Trend

What is driving the current boom in semiconductors? An ongoing shortage, which is driving striking price increases, leading to record revenues. ...

Jim Handy

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)