Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Equity Bottom-Up

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

<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> is currently trading at more than 2 standard deviations above its 5yr- and 10yr historical average PE range.  A premium makes sense given a significant improvement in their competitive positioning and being in the early stages of a cyclical upswing given the advent of 5G, which should also accelerate the adoption of Internet-of-Things applications. 
This raises the question as to what a fair valuation multiple for TSMC should be. In this insight I make a comparative valuation by looking at, arguably, the two most important companies in TSMC’s value chain, both dominant in their competitive environments, namely TSMC’s largest supplier <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> and their largest customer <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/apple-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:666:1" rel="noopener">Apple Inc (AAPL US)</a>. 
My analysis focuses on the companies’ competitive positioning, geographic exposure, customer concentration, growth profile and outlook, cash flow generation, balance sheets, capital allocation and returns on invested capital to assess what a fair relative valuation might look like.

TSMC (2330 TT) is currently trading at more than 2 standard deviations above its 5yr- and 10yr historical average PE range.  A premium makes sense given a significant improvement in their competitive positioning and being in the early stages of a cyclical upswing given the advent of 5G, which should also accelerate the adoption of Internet-of-Things applications. 
This raises the question as to what a fair valuation multiple for TSMC should be. In this insight I make a comparative valuation by looking at, arguably, the two most important companies in TSMC’s value chain, both dominant in their competitive environments, namely TSMC’s largest supplier ASML Holding NV (ASML NA) and their largest customer Apple Inc (AAPL US). 
My analysis focuses on the companies’ competitive positioning, geographic exposure, customer concentration, growth profile and outlook, cash flow generation, balance sheets, capital allocation and returns on invested capital to assess what a fair relative valuation might look like.

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

Brian Freitas

Pan-Asia Index Rebalances/ Events/ Delta One

Quantitative Analysis

<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.</div><div>Hong Kong saw shorts rise on <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>, <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/idreamsky-technology-holdings" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5570:1" rel="noopener">iDreamsky Technology Limited (1119 HK)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/galaxy-entertainment-group-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:806:1" rel="noopener">Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK)</a> while there was short covering on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alibaba-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28434:1" rel="noopener">Alibaba Group (9988 HK)</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/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> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ping-an-healthcare-and-technology-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27008:1" rel="noopener">Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK)</a> . Shorts increased in Real Estate, Energy and Consumer Staples and decreased in Financials, Consumer Discretionary, Health Care and Communication Services.</div><div>
There was a lot of short covering in Japan during the week. Stocks that saw the most shorts covered were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fast-retailing-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:751:1" rel="noopener">Fast Retailing (9983 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asahi-group-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:10482:1" rel="noopener">Asahi Group Holdings (2502 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/taiyo-yuden-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9924:1" rel="noopener">Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP)</a>, while shorts increased on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/nihon-m-a-center-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:17616:1" rel="noopener">Nihon M&amp;A Center (2127 JP)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yamato-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:2:1" rel="noopener">Yamato Holdings (9064 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/mitsubishi-ufj-financial-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:218:1" rel="noopener">Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP)</a>. Sectorally, the most shorts were covered in Consumer Staples, Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Financials.
Stocks in Korea that saw an increase in shorts were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kakao-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15002:1" rel="noopener">Kakao Corp (035720 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/celltrion-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:991:1" rel="noopener">Celltrion Inc (068270 KS)</a> while stocks that saw the most short covering were <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/doosan-infracore-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3982:1" rel="noopener">Doosan Infracore (042670 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-display-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:7145:1" rel="noopener">LG Display (034220 KS)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netmarble-corporation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22839:1" rel="noopener">Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lg-household-health-care" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6501:1" rel="noopener">LG Household &amp; Health Care (051900 KS)</a>.
</div><div>Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were <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/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/genius-electronic-optical-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9632:1" rel="noopener">Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hon-hai-precision-industry-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:745:1" rel="noopener">Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)</a> while shorts were covered on <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/united-microelectronics-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6450:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ase-technology-holding-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27270:1" rel="noopener">ASE Technology Holding Co Ltd (3711 TT)</a>. </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 JD.com (HK) (9618 HK), Xiaomi Corp (1810 HK), iDreamsky Technology Limited (1119 HK) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (27 HK) while there was short covering on Alibaba Group (9988 HK), Tencent Holdings (700 HK), Ping An Insurance (H) (2318 HK) and Ping An Healthcare and Technology Company Limited (1833 HK) . Shorts increased in Real Estate, Energy and Consumer Staples and decreased in Financials, Consumer Discretionary, Health Care and Communication Services.
There was a lot of short covering in Japan during the week. Stocks that saw the most shorts covered were Fast Retailing (9983 JP), Asahi Group Holdings (2502 JP), Toshiba Corp (6502 JP) and Taiyo Yuden (6976 JP), while shorts increased on Nihon M&amp;A Center (2127 JP), Yamato Holdings (9064 JP), Canon Inc (7751 JP) and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial (MUFG) (8306 JP). Sectorally, the most shorts were covered in Consumer Staples, Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary and Financials.
Stocks in Korea that saw an increase in shorts were Kakao Corp (035720 KS) and Celltrion Inc (068270 KS) while stocks that saw the most short covering were Doosan Infracore (042670 KS), LG Display (034220 KS), Netmarble Corporation (251270 KS) and LG Household &amp; Health Care (051900 KS).
Stocks in Taiwan that saw the highest increase in shorts were Largan Precision (3008 TT), TSMC (2330 TT), Genius Electronic Optical (3406 TT) and Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT) while shorts were covered on Yageo Corporation (2327 TT), Novatek Microelectronics Corp (3034 TT), United Microelectronics Corp (2303 TT) and ASE Technology Holding Co Ltd (3711 TT). 

Asia Short Interest Weekly: JD, Xiaomi, Nihon M&A, Asahi, Toshiba, Kakao, Netmarble, Largan, Novatek

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)

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics for August have just been released, and revenues increased for the second sequential month, a positive sign in a puzzling year.  All in all, it appears that the semiconductor sector is faring well despite the pandemic.  It's far too soon to call this growth a trend, though, but it currently appears that the industry is poised to grow at its historical 3.9% annual average rate.

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics for August have just been released, and revenues increased for the second sequential month, a positive sign in a puzzling year.  All in all, it appears that the semiconductor sector is faring well despite the pandemic.  It's far too soon to call this growth a trend, though, but it currently appears that the industry is poised to grow at its historical 3.9% annual average rate.

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas, CrossASEAN Research

Henry Soediarko

Asian Insight Provider - Actionable ideas

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

The existence of the annual cap from BYD Electronics to the BYD group which then sells the masks to the distributors or end customers through BYD Care (a subsidiary of BYD Group), BYD Electronics will see an increase in revenues but not so much of the increase in the margin as BYD Care (the seller of surgical masks) is a subsidiary of <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> rather than BYD Electronics. Among Trump's outperforming Biden in the first Presidential debate, an attempt to make up for the loss, overly bullish investors in China's plan on domestic consumption and surgical masks production, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/byd-electronic-international-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1927:1" rel="noopener">BYD Electronics (285 HK)</a> share price rose close to 10% today makes an attractive entry point to shorting the stock. Size up your bet!

The existence of the annual cap from BYD Electronics to the BYD group which then sells the masks to the distributors or end customers through BYD Care (a subsidiary of BYD Group), BYD Electronics will see an increase in revenues but not so much of the increase in the margin as BYD Care (the seller of surgical masks) is a subsidiary of BYD (1211 HK) rather than BYD Electronics. Among Trump's outperforming Biden in the first Presidential debate, an attempt to make up for the loss, overly bullish investors in China's plan on domestic consumption and surgical masks production, BYD Electronics (285 HK) share price rose close to 10% today makes an attractive entry point to shorting the stock. Size up your bet!

BYD Electronics (285): Where Is the Margin At?

Silver Point

Thomas J. Monaco

Independent Insight Provider

Silver Point is a boutique research firm that focuses on the broader financial services sector, with a particular focus on troubled institutions globally. 

Asia Ex Japan

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor firm), with American US firms being required to apply for a license in order to export certain products to SMIC. These restrictions were reportedly implemented due to "an unacceptable risk of diversion to a military end use" and confirmed the recent market speculation of US action against SMIC;*Unreliable Entity List: Mainland China’s Ministry of Commerce finally issued regulations for its “unreliable entity” list aimed at foreign companies that it deems endanger national sovereignty, security, or development interests. Companies which end up on the list could be banned from importing/exporting from/to mainland China, and may be barred from investing in the country; and*Taiwan Flashpoint Coming: Rhetoric between is also being ramped up militarily between both sides over Taiwan, as the US government is contemplating providing Taiwan with an advanced defensive system and provocations of more "high-level official visits to Taiwan" by U.S. officials.

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor firm), with American US firms being required to apply for a license in order to export certain products to SMIC. These restrictions were reportedly implemented due to "an unacceptable risk of diversion to a military end use" and confirmed the recent market speculation of US action against SMIC;*Unreliable Entity List: Mainland China’s Ministry of Commerce finally issued regulations for its “unreliable entity” list aimed at foreign companies that it deems endanger national sovereignty, security, or development interests. Companies which end up on the list could be banned from importing/exporting from/to mainland China, and may be barred from investing in the country; and*Taiwan Flashpoint Coming: Rhetoric between is also being ramped up militarily between both sides over Taiwan, as the US government is contemplating providing Taiwan with an advanced defensive system and provocations of more "high-level official visits to Taiwan" by U.S. officials.

Trump Administration Continues to Ratchet Up The Pressure

Taiwan

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. manufactures integrated circuits based on its proprietary designs.  The Company offers a comprehensive set of integrated circuit fabrication processes to manufacture CMOS logic, mixed-mode, volatile and non-volatile memory and BiCMOS chips.  Taiwan Semiconductor is an affiliate of Philips Electronics N.V.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)

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Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)

TSMC: A Comparative Valuation

In this insight, I make a comparative valuation by looking at two value-chain companies, both dominant in their own right, namely TSMC’s largest...

Wium Malan, CFA

Asia Short Interest Weekly: JD, Xiaomi, Nihon M&A, Asahi, Toshiba, Kakao, Netmarble, Largan, Novatek

Highlighting changes in short interest across stocks in HK, Japan, Korea and Taiwan to pinpoint stocks/sectors that are being shorted or covered...

Brian Freitas

August Semiconductor Sales Increase

The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics for August have just been released, and revenue

Jim Handy

BYD Electronics (285): Where Is the Margin At?

The share price increase of close to 10% today makes a more attractive entry point to shorting BYD Electronics.

Henry Soediarko

Trump Administration Continues to Ratchet Up The Pressure

*Export Restrictions On SMIC: The US Commerce Department has reportedly imposed export restrictions on mainland China’s SMIC (largest semiconductor...

Thomas J. Monaco

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