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

Equity Bottom-Up

<p>Local press reporting that <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> has made significant improvement on their 5nm technology which is a significant improvement given <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> 's to desire to take close the gap with <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> this is a big step.  Or was it already in the cards from a prior deal? </p>

Local press reporting that Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) has made significant improvement on their 5nm technology which is a significant improvement given Samsung Electronics (005930 KS) 's to desire to take close the gap with TSMC (2330 TT) this is a big step.  Or was it already in the cards from a prior deal? 

Samsung Closed the Gap with TSMC Already at 5nm? Whoa!

Japan/Asia Long-Short, LightStream Research

Mio Kato

Japan/Asia Long-Short

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

<p>Automakers are starting to struggle with chip shortages as the Nikkei reports <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Global-chip-shortage-threatens-automakers-worldwide" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>, <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Nissan-to-cut-car-production-due-to-lack-of-chips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a> and <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Honda-cuts-car-production-on-massive-chip-shortage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. This is an extension of a broad chip shortage globally as WFH demand, the launch of new consoles, GPUs and CPUs and rapidly recovering auto sales pour some short-term fuel on the long-term fire of expanding electrification and digitalisation. No wonder then that TSMC is up 134% from its March lows, but Renesas is up an even more impressive 248% since its lows of 2020 and could continue to outperform.</p>

Automakers are starting to struggle with chip shortages as the Nikkei reports here, here and here. This is an extension of a broad chip shortage globally as WFH demand, the launch of new consoles, GPUs and CPUs and rapidly recovering auto sales pour some short-term fuel on the long-term fire of expanding electrification and digitalisation. No wonder then that TSMC is up 134% from its March lows, but Renesas is up an even more impressive 248% since its lows of 2020 and could continue to outperform.

Renesas – Auto Chip Shortage Could Drive Further Gains

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/ind-comm-bk-of-china-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1119:1" rel="noopener">ICBC (H) (1398 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-mobile-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27:1" rel="noopener">China Mobile (941 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20962:1" rel="noopener">BYD (1211 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <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/xinyi-solar-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:318:1" rel="noopener">Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hong-kong-exchanges-clearing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:490:1" rel="noopener">HKEX (388 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jd-com-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29043:1" rel="noopener">JD.com (HK) (9618 HK)</a>. Shorts increased on Communication Services, Energy and Consumer Staples, and decreased on Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Discretionary.</p></div><div><p>In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/change-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27414:1" rel="noopener">Change Inc (3962 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advantest-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18107:1" rel="noopener">Advantest Corp (6857 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/renova-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26753:1" rel="noopener">RENOVA Inc (9519 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/shimamura-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15213:1" rel="noopener">Shimamura (8227 JP)</a> while shorts decreased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/honda-motor-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:154:1" rel="noopener">Honda Motor (7267 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12933:1" rel="noopener">Kao Corp (4452 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/canon-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1:1" rel="noopener">Canon Inc (7751 JP)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bridgestone-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8914:1" rel="noopener">Bridgestone Corp (5108 JP)</a>. Sectorally, shorts increased on Utilities and Communication Services, while decreasing on Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Information Technology and Industrials.</p></div><div><p>In Korea, there were short positions put on in <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kt-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1112:1" rel="noopener">KT Corp (030200 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/lg-uplus-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1113:1" rel="noopener">LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a>. </p></div><div><p>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <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/largan-precision-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9126:1" rel="noopener">Largan Precision (3008 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pegatron-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12852:1" rel="noopener">Pegatron Corp (4938 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> while shorts were covered on <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/walsin-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11084:1" rel="noopener">Walsin Technology (2492 TT)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/richwave-technology-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18629:1" rel="noopener">Richwave Technology (4968 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pan-jit-international-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12501:1" rel="noopener">Pan Jit International (2481 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 ICBC (H) (1398 HK), China Mobile (941 HK), CNOOC Ltd (883 HK) and BYD (1211 HK) while there was short covering on Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), Xinyi Solar Holdings (968 HK), HKEX (388 HK) and JD.com (HK) (9618 HK). Shorts increased on Communication Services, Energy and Consumer Staples, and decreased on Information Technology, Financials and Consumer Discretionary.In Japan, stocks that saw the most shorts were Change Inc (3962 JP), Advantest Corp (6857 JP), RENOVA Inc (9519 JP) and Shimamura (8227 JP) while shorts decreased on Honda Motor (7267 JP), Kao Corp (4452 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and Bridgestone Corp (5108 JP). Sectorally, shorts increased on Utilities and Communication Services, while decreasing on Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Information Technology and Industrials.In Korea, there were short positions put on in KT Corp (030200 KS), Samsung Electronics (005930 KS), LG Uplus Corp (032640 KS) and Kakao Corp (035720 KS). Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were TSMC (2330 TT), Largan Precision (3008 TT), Pegatron Corp (4938 TT) and Asustek Computer (2357 TT) while shorts were covered on Evergreen Marine Corp (2603 TT), Walsin Technology (2492 TT), Richwave Technology (4968 TT) and Pan Jit International (2481 TT). 

Asia Short Interest: China Mobile, CNOOC, Xiaomi, JD, Change, KT, Samsung, TSMC, Largan

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

<p>Things took a dramatic turn for the worse at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel</a> last week with the publication of a letter from activist hedge fund Third Point to Intel's board chairman, Dr Omar Ishrak. Having taken a significant stake in the company, Third Point is now setting out to drive sweeping changes at Intel. What are the implications for Intel and how is the company likely to respond to this challenge? Here's our thoughts on the matter.</p>

Things took a dramatic turn for the worse at Intel last week with the publication of a letter from activist hedge fund Third Point to Intel's board chairman, Dr Omar Ishrak. Having taken a significant stake in the company, Third Point is now setting out to drive sweeping changes at Intel. What are the implications for Intel and how is the company likely to respond to this challenge? Here's our thoughts on the matter.

Intel Beware ! The Vultures Are Circling.

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

<p>Micron reported earnings above guidance in its first fiscal quarter, and told of a new effort to increase its share of industry profits without changing its share of industry gigabit sales.  Although the company was hit in early December by both a power outage and an earthquake, production has not been substantially reduced.  Customer demand is currently somewhat constrained by shortages of chips that Micron does not produce.</p>

Micron reported earnings above guidance in its first fiscal quarter, and told of a new effort to increase its share of industry profits without changing its share of industry gigabit sales.  Although the company was hit in early December by both a power outage and an earthquake, production has not been substantially reduced.  Customer demand is currently somewhat constrained by shortages of chips that Micron does not produce.

Micron Reports Solid 1QFY21, Adds New Twist to Strategy

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.

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Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) (2330 TT)

Samsung Closed the Gap with TSMC Already at 5nm? Whoa!

Samsung Electronics' desire to catch TSMC starts with how they can proceed with leading tech. Are we almost there already?

Ken S. Kim

Renesas – Auto Chip Shortage Could Drive Further Gains

Renesas could continue to outperform despite a 248% rally from its 2020 lows as automotive electrification joins work from home demand to create a...

Mio Kato

Asia Short Interest: China Mobile, CNOOC, Xiaomi, JD, Change, KT, Samsung, TSMC, Largan

The weekly short interest report looks at large moves across HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan stocks and helps in determining market interest that could...

Brian Freitas

Intel Beware ! The Vultures Are Circling.

Intel has been targeted by activist hedge fund Third Point. Do the charges they lay against Intel have merit and if so, how serious are they?

William Keating

Micron Reports Solid 1QFY21, Adds New Twist to Strategy

Micron reported better-than-expected earnings in its January 7 earnings call, with a new strategy and technology leadership to improve...

Jim Handy

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