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

Equity Bottom-Up

Hon Hai Precision Industry / Equity Bottom-Up

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. provides electronic manufacturing services for computers, communications, and consumer electronic products.  The Company's business operations include desktop and notebook PC assembly, connector production, cable assembly, PCB assembly, handset manufacturing, networking equipment, and other consumer electronic devices manufacturing.

<ul>
<li>Hon Hai reported 1Q24 revenue that fell 9% YoY, however the company reiterated its guidance for significant growth in 2024E and said growth now looks stronger than guided in March.</li>
<li>Hon Hai's cloud (including servers) business didn't grow as much as guided due to material shortages; but AI server revenue up 200% YoY and significant growth is guided for 2024E.</li>
<li>The traditional server market is rebounding, to grow double digits in 2024E. Hon Hai expects to take market share in 2024. Structural Long but near-term gains could be limited.</li>
</ul>


Hon Hai reported 1Q24 revenue that fell 9% YoY, however the company reiterated its guidance for significant growth in 2024E and said growth now looks stronger than guided in March.
Hon Hai's cloud (including servers) business didn't grow as much as guided due to material shortages; but AI server revenue up 200% YoY and significant growth is guided for 2024E.
The traditional server market is rebounding, to grow double digits in 2024E. Hon Hai expects to take market share in 2024. Structural Long but near-term gains could be limited.


Hon Hai: Traditional Server Market Now Adding to AI Growth; Expects Market Share Gains in 2024E

Tracking developments across tech supply chains, Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Tracking developments across tech supply chains

ASE Technology Holding   / Equity Bottom-Up

ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. offers assembly and testing services. The Company provides outsourced assembly, semiconductor testing, semiconductor packaging, and other related services. ASE Technology Holding operates in Taiwan.

<ul><li>ASE plans to boost sales in the second half of 2024 with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Introspect CEO discusses how their GDDR7 memory test system outperforms competitors, helping customers stay ahead of the curve.</li><li>Taiwan's space dreams face hurdles from regulations and geopolitics, hindering progress. N Chandrasekaran becomes chair of Tata Electronics, signaling entry into semiconductor industry. Indian GaN startup targets global expansion in telecom and EV markets for growth.</li><li>Triton ignites Taiwan's push for satellite self-sufficiency; Apple partnership speculation with a leading EV startup generates buzz. Lam Research seeks chipmaking tool partners in India to drive innovation and collaboration. #Apple #EVstartup #newsroundup</li></ul>

ASE plans to boost sales in the second half of 2024 with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Introspect CEO discusses how their GDDR7 memory test system outperforms competitors, helping customers stay ahead of the curve.Taiwan's space dreams face hurdles from regulations and geopolitics, hindering progress. N Chandrasekaran becomes chair of Tata Electronics, signaling entry into semiconductor industry. Indian GaN startup targets global expansion in telecom and EV markets for growth.Triton ignites Taiwan's push for satellite self-sufficiency; Apple partnership speculation with a leading EV startup generates buzz. Lam Research seeks chipmaking tool partners in India to drive innovation and collaboration. #Apple #EVstartup #newsroundup

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (14-May-2024): ASE to speed up 2H24 sales growth.

Asustek Computer Inc. manufactures and markets computer motherboards, interface cards, notebook computers, and other related products.

<ul>
<li>Asus's 1Q24 earnings beat consensus by 46% thanks to major increase in operating margin driven by costs optimization. Adjusted Asus brand Op profit rose 227% YoY and 98% QoQ.</li>
<li>Asus will host a major AI PC launch event May 21st, with additional AI PCs launched at Computex in Taiwan June 4th. Will feature <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qualcomm-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:969:1" rel="noopener">Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US)</a> Snapdragon processors.</li>
<li>Asus confident in an PC upgrade cycle and has guided for sales to rise and margins to expand in the coming quarters. We maintain our Structural Long rating for Asus.</li>
</ul>


Asus's 1Q24 earnings beat consensus by 46% thanks to major increase in operating margin driven by costs optimization. Adjusted Asus brand Op profit rose 227% YoY and 98% QoQ.
Asus will host a major AI PC launch event May 21st, with additional AI PCs launched at Computex in Taiwan June 4th. Will feature Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US) Snapdragon processors.
Asus confident in an PC upgrade cycle and has guided for sales to rise and margins to expand in the coming quarters. We maintain our Structural Long rating for Asus.


Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

External broker reports(aggregated public sources), CMB International

CMB International

External broker reports(aggregated public sources)

Incorporated in Hong Kong, supported by the mainland and targeting in global market, CMB International Capital Corporation Limited (“CMBI”) is an integrated financial institution providing comprehensive and professional services. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Merchants Bank ("CMB"), by leveraging on the Group’s synergy and coordination in domestic and overseas markets, as well as CMB’s strong resources and outstanding social reputation, CMBI and its subsidiaries have been actively implementing diversified business strategies and set up an overall layout of main business segments including Corporate Finance, Asset Management, Wealth Management, Global Markets and Structured Finance, etc. Adhering to the philosophy of “being clients oriented and increasing our own values by the way of creating value for clients”, CMBI endeavors to provide quality and integrated financial services to institutional, corporate and individual customers both domestic and overseas including Hong Kong IPO sponsorship and underwriting, share placement and rights issue for listed companies, financial advisors, bonds issuance services, asset management, direct investment, wealth management, equity sales and trading, etc.

FIT Hon Teng Limited manufactures and distributes electrical components. The Company produces backplane connectors, memory cards, sockets, terminal blocks, and other products. FIT Hon Teng markets its products throughout Taiwan.

<ul><li>FIT Hon Teng posted a solid set of 1Q24 results, in-line with its positive profit alert, and mgmt. reiterated its FY24E guidance (rev +low-double digit YoY, GP +mid-double digit YoY, OPM 5.5%) in earnings call.</li><li>After hosting post-results NDR call with mgmt. on 10 May, we believe recent stock correction was mainly due to profit taking after a 101% rally in the past three months, and we remain positive on its 2H24E outlook backed by AirPods ramp-up, integration of Voltaira auto electronics business and order wins of AI server/networking products (US$500-1,000 content value per compute tray).</li><li>We slightly adjust FY24-26E forecasts to reflect higher GPM and better sales mix offset by higher opex for new products. </li></ul><p><em>Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.</em></p>

FIT Hon Teng posted a solid set of 1Q24 results, in-line with its positive profit alert, and mgmt. reiterated its FY24E guidance (rev +low-double digit YoY, GP +mid-double digit YoY, OPM 5.5%) in earnings call.After hosting post-results NDR call with mgmt. on 10 May, we believe recent stock correction was mainly due to profit taking after a 101% rally in the past three months, and we remain positive on its 2H24E outlook backed by AirPods ramp-up, integration of Voltaira auto electronics business and order wins of AI server/networking products (US$500-1,000 content value per compute tray).We slightly adjust FY24-26E forecasts to reflect higher GPM and better sales mix offset by higher opex for new products. Content is external broker report sourced from online content aggregator through publicly available sources and is displayed below for general informational purposes only. Refer full disclaimer below.

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

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

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.

<ul>
<li>April revenue ~NT$236.02 billion, +20.9% MoM &amp; + 59.6% YoY</li>
<li>It was the company's second highest monthly revenue ever, made all the more remarkable by the fact that it occurred during its seasonally low first half year</li>
<li>Our April YoY Taiwan monthly revenue comps are flashing green across the board with just one exception, Globalwafers</li>
</ul>


April revenue ~NT$236.02 billion, +20.9% MoM &amp; + 59.6% YoY
It was the company's second highest monthly revenue ever, made all the more remarkable by the fact that it occurred during its seasonally low first half year
Our April YoY Taiwan monthly revenue comps are flashing green across the board with just one exception, Globalwafers


TSMC Surges As April Revenue Soars 60% YoY

Taiwan Tech
Insights on Taiwan Tech Stocks

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (14-May-2024): ASE to speed up 2H24 sales growth.

ASE boosting sales, Introspect CEO's GDDR7 memory test system, Taiwan's space dreams hindered, N Chandrasekaran chair of Tata Electronics, Indian...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

FIT Hon Teng (6088 HK) - 1Q24 in Line

Reiterate BUY with a new TP of HK$2.40 based on same 11x FY24E P/E. Catalysts include AirPods shipments and AI server product updates

CMB International

TSMC Surges As April Revenue Soars 60% YoY

April revenue ~NT$236.02 billion, +20.9% MoM & + 59.6% YoY. Second highest monthly revenue ever. April YoY Taiwan monthly comps green across the...

William Keating

Hon Hai: Traditional Server Market Now Adding to AI Growth; Expects Market Share Gains in 2024E

​Hon Hai anticipates significant growth in 2024E, especially in AI server market despite material shortages. Traditional server market rebounding,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Tech Supply Chain Tracker (14-May-2024): ASE to speed up 2H24 sales growth.

ASE boosting sales, Introspect CEO's GDDR7 memory test system, Taiwan's space dreams hindered, N Chandrasekaran chair of Tata Electronics, Indian...

Tech Supply Chain Tracker

Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

​Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

FIT Hon Teng (6088 HK) - 1Q24 in Line

Reiterate BUY with a new TP of HK$2.40 based on same 11x FY24E P/E. Catalysts include AirPods shipments and AI server product updates

CMB International

TSMC Surges As April Revenue Soars 60% YoY

April revenue ~NT$236.02 billion, +20.9% MoM & + 59.6% YoY. Second highest monthly revenue ever. April YoY Taiwan monthly comps green across the...

William Keating

Hon Hai anticipates significant growth in 2024E, especially in AI server market despite material shortages. Traditional server market rebounding,...

Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...