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

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

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)

<ul>
<li>TSMC: Premium Fell and Then Rebounded, Now +15.6%; Can Consider Shorting Again</li>
<li>ASE: Falls to +12.3%; Wait for Higher Level Before Considering a New Short Again</li>
<li>ChipMOS: -0.6% Discount; Massing of Short Interest Right Ahead of Earnings</li>
</ul>


TSMC: Premium Fell and Then Rebounded, Now +15.6%; Can Consider Shorting Again
ASE: Falls to +12.3%; Wait for Higher Level Before Considering a New Short Again
ChipMOS: -0.6% Discount; Massing of Short Interest Right Ahead of Earnings


Taiwan Dual-Listings: TSMC Spread Slumps Then Fully Rebounds; Shorts Spiking Ahead of IMOS Results

Novatek Microelectronics Corp / Equity Bottom-Up

Novatek Microelectronics Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets integrated circuits (ICs).  The Company's products are used in telecommunication, computer peripherals, and LCD (liquid crystal display) drivers.

<ul>
<li>Novatek reported 1Q24 results yesterday after the Taiwan close; gross margin came in ahead of guidance and revenue was in-line.</li>
<li>Nevertheless, the company's forward color regarding end market display applications demand in 2Q24 and 2024 was relatively muted.</li>
<li>Given the stock is at all-time highs and up about 25% since early February, we see the stock at risk of selling in the near-term. We rate Novatek as Underperform.</li>
</ul>


Novatek reported 1Q24 results yesterday after the Taiwan close; gross margin came in ahead of guidance and revenue was in-line.
Nevertheless, the company's forward color regarding end market display applications demand in 2Q24 and 2024 was relatively muted.
Given the stock is at all-time highs and up about 25% since early February, we see the stock at risk of selling in the near-term. We rate Novatek as Underperform.


Novatek Seeing Soft Consumer Electronics Demand; Muted Forward Guidance; Shares Appear at Risk

<ul>
<li>Taiwan Tech Rallies Along With Rebound In Global Tech; Hon Hai, Asustek Top Gainers; KYEC a Top Loser After Announcing China Market Divestment</li>
<li>PC Monitor: The Next Version of MSFT CoPilot Will Be the Killer App for a Global AI PC Upgrade Cycle </li>
<li>ASMedia GDR Early Look - Momentum Has Been Strong, and Raising Would Grow Its Cash Base Almost 6x </li>
</ul>


Taiwan Tech Rallies Along With Rebound In Global Tech; Hon Hai, Asustek Top Gainers; KYEC a Top Loser After Announcing China Market Divestment
PC Monitor: The Next Version of MSFT CoPilot Will Be the Killer App for a Global AI PC Upgrade Cycle 
ASMedia GDR Early Look - Momentum Has Been Strong, and Raising Would Grow Its Cash Base Almost 6x 


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Hon Hai New All-Time Highs; Asustek Soars; Leading Chip Testing Firm Exits China

Silicon Motion Technology / Equity Bottom-Up

Silicon Motion Technology Corporation is a semiconductor company that designs, develops, and markets semiconductor products for the multimedia consumer electronics market. The Company's products include controllers used in mobile storage media and multimedia systems on a chip.

<ul>
<li>Silicon Motion's lQ24 results confirmed the company's end-demand strength as implied by previous Samsung and SK Hynix management commentary re: solid state memory.</li>
<li>Management has increased 2024E guidance, citing rising ASPs and strong demand due to its memory controller products' usage in edge AI applications such as AI PCs and AI smartphones.</li>
<li>The street upgraded target prices across the board after the results; however we note the stock remains below its past acquistion offer price by Maxlinear and we see further upside.</li>
</ul>


Silicon Motion's lQ24 results confirmed the company's end-demand strength as implied by previous Samsung and SK Hynix management commentary re: solid state memory.
Management has increased 2024E guidance, citing rising ASPs and strong demand due to its memory controller products' usage in edge AI applications such as AI PCs and AI smartphones.
The street upgraded target prices across the board after the results; however we note the stock remains below its past acquistion offer price by Maxlinear and we see further upside.


Silicon Motion: Leader in Powerful Niche for Edge AI Memory; Plus Key Wins for Data Center Solution

MediaTek Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company for wireless communications and digital multimedia solutions. The company provides SOC system solutions for wireless communications, high-definition TV, optical storage, DVD and Blu-ray products.

<ul>
<li>Qualcomm's latest earnings came in at the high end of guidance with automotive revenue surging and mobile steady. We analyze QCOM results' key implications for Mediatek.</li>
<li>Qualcomm's 2024E global handset market volume guidance remained unchanged vs. last quarter; however we believe Mediatek may have taken some market share in CY1Q24.</li>
<li>Qualcomm confirmed Mediatek's view regarding high-end phone demand strength right now, with AI capabilities the likely driver. Combining QCOM + Mediatek color suggests an AI-driven handset upgrade cycle ahead.</li>
</ul>


Qualcomm's latest earnings came in at the high end of guidance with automotive revenue surging and mobile steady. We analyze QCOM results' key implications for Mediatek.
Qualcomm's 2024E global handset market volume guidance remained unchanged vs. last quarter; however we believe Mediatek may have taken some market share in CY1Q24.
Qualcomm confirmed Mediatek's view regarding high-end phone demand strength right now, with AI capabilities the likely driver. Combining QCOM + Mediatek color suggests an AI-driven handset upgrade cycle ahead.


Key Insights from Qualcomm's Latest Data; Mediatek Taking Market Share?

Zero One
Independent Investment Research

Taiwan Dual-Listings: TSMC Spread Slumps Then Fully Rebounds; Shorts Spiking Ahead of IMOS Results

Potential trades to consider in TSMC and CHT. Notable surge in short interest right ahead of IMOS earnings today; with the shorts be proven right?

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Novatek Seeing Soft Consumer Electronics Demand; Muted Forward Guidance; Shares Appear at Risk

Novatek's cautious outlook for future demand and all-time high share price may lead to near-term selling pressure. Limited potential for near-term...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Hon Hai New All-Time Highs; Asustek Soars; Leading Chip Testing Firm Exits China

Taiwan tech gains alongside global tech, with Hon Hai and Asustek leading. MSFT's next CoPilot expected to drive AI PC upgrades. ASMedia GDR shows...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Silicon Motion: Leader in Powerful Niche for Edge AI Memory; Plus Key Wins for Data Center Solution

SIMO increased 2024E guidance citing rising ASPs and demand for memory controller products in edge AI applications. Remains well below past...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Dual-Listings: TSMC Spread Slumps Then Fully Rebounds; Shorts Spiking Ahead of IMOS Results

Potential trades to consider in TSMC and CHT. Notable surge in short interest right ahead of IMOS earnings today; with the shorts be proven right?

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Novatek Seeing Soft Consumer Electronics Demand; Muted Forward Guidance; Shares Appear at Risk

​Novatek's cautious outlook for future demand and all-time high share price may lead to near-term selling pressure. Limited potential for near-term...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Hon Hai New All-Time Highs; Asustek Soars; Leading Chip Testing Firm Exits China

​Taiwan tech gains alongside global tech, with Hon Hai and Asustek leading. MSFT's next CoPilot expected to drive AI PC upgrades. ASMedia GDR shows...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Silicon Motion: Leader in Powerful Niche for Edge AI Memory; Plus Key Wins for Data Center Solution

SIMO increased 2024E guidance citing rising ASPs and demand for memory controller products in edge AI applications. Remains well below past...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Key Insights from Qualcomm's Latest Data; Mediatek Taking Market Share?

We deep dive into Qualcomm's latest results and the key take-aways relative to Mediatek. Overall, we find the latest QCOM results as positive for...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Novatek's cautious outlook for future demand and all-time high share price may lead to near-term selling pressure. Limited potential for near-term...

Taiwan tech gains alongside global tech, with Hon Hai and Asustek leading. MSFT's next CoPilot expected to drive AI PC upgrades. ASMedia GDR shows...