Japanese Turnaround Situations, Short-Ideas, Azabu Research

Michael Allen

Japanese Turnaround Situations, Short-Ideas

Azabu Research

Azabu Research is a publishing and consulting firm focused on distressed equities in the Japanese market. We specialize in turnaround strategies, corporate combinations, divestitures, and restructuring.

Publisher of the Tokyo Turnaround Letter, which conducts the most thorough research possible of publicly available information, including forensic tests for fraudulent overstatement of assets and understatement of liabilities, as well as rigorous market and industry analysis to assess the underlying strengths of the company’s products or services, the appropriateness of the company’s turnaround strategy, and the skill of its current management team. The average length of a report exceeds 25 pages of text and tables, excluding any disclosures or executive summaries.

We have more than 30 years of experience in applying this process to distressed equities in Japan. Additionally, subscribers have free access to detailed, yet easily navigated earnings models for the target company as well as the top five comparable companies, and unlimited access to the analyst for follow-up questions.

Azabu Research also conducts be-spoke research on a project basis, and provides consulting services to companies looking to restructure, divest, make acquisitions, go public, or improve investor sentiment toward their stock.

Independent Research and Consulting Firm

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Rohm's relative share price is trading above the 200-day moving average for the first time since August 2023.</li>
<li>Inventory de-stocking for SiC-based semiconductor suppliers is nearing its end, paving the way for order replenishment </li>
<li>Analysts expect Rohm’s margins to lag those of rivals in the recovery, but Rohm has done more to cut inventories than any other. </li>
</ul>


Rohm's relative share price is trading above the 200-day moving average for the first time since August 2023.
Inventory de-stocking for SiC-based semiconductor suppliers is nearing its end, paving the way for order replenishment 
Analysts expect Rohm’s margins to lag those of rivals in the recovery, but Rohm has done more to cut inventories than any other. 


Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

<ul>
<li>Over past year the price of Silicon Carbide wafers has declined by 50-60%, leading to the bankruptcy of Wolfspeed. The Western media tends to blame Chinese over-capacity and price cuts. </li>
<li>But all SiC firms have massively increased capacity: Infineon, Onsemi, STMicro. The vertical integration of the majors is also to blame: over-investments in a small market (rapidly growing, but small). </li>
<li>Who benefits? Nominally the big integrated vendors Infineon, Onsemi, Rohm, STMicro – but Power SiC is a small fraction of their revenues.</li>
</ul>


Over past year the price of Silicon Carbide wafers has declined by 50-60%, leading to the bankruptcy of Wolfspeed. The Western media tends to blame Chinese over-capacity and price cuts. 
But all SiC firms have massively increased capacity: Infineon, Onsemi, STMicro. The vertical integration of the majors is also to blame: over-investments in a small market (rapidly growing, but small). 
Who benefits? Nominally the big integrated vendors Infineon, Onsemi, Rohm, STMicro – but Power SiC is a small fraction of their revenues.


Automotive Power SiC: The Bankruptcy of Wolfspeed

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

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

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR

<ul>
<li>TSMC just held a press conference this evening in Taiwan regarding its expanded U.S. investment plans. TSMC said it won't impact Taiwan investments; it is actually accelerating its Taiwan investments.</li>
<li>Additionally, we see TSMC's aggressive U.S. expansion significantly weakening Intel's ability to compete, as it removes one of Intel’s major differentiators--domestic U.S. production.</li>
<li>Maintain Structural Long rating on TSMC -- Expanded U.S. investment fortifies the company’s global leadership. ALSO -- Positive news for semiconductor manufacturing equipment companies internationally and in Taiwan. ASML, etc.</li>
</ul>


TSMC just held a press conference this evening in Taiwan regarding its expanded U.S. investment plans. TSMC said it won't impact Taiwan investments; it is actually accelerating its Taiwan investments.
Additionally, we see TSMC's aggressive U.S. expansion significantly weakening Intel's ability to compete, as it removes one of Intel’s major differentiators--domestic U.S. production.
Maintain Structural Long rating on TSMC -- Expanded U.S. investment fortifies the company’s global leadership. ALSO -- Positive news for semiconductor manufacturing equipment companies internationally and in Taiwan. ASML, etc.


TSMC Addresses U.S. Expansion Concerns: Strengthens TSMC Position & Positive for Semi Industry Capex

Equity Long-Short Analyst

Pyari Menon

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Quantum computing's outlook is like Schrödinger’s cat: a varying mix of potential and challenges, with each breakthrough or setback collapsing possibilities and probabilities into a new, uncertain reality.</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/alphabet-inc-cl-c" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11369:1" rel="noopener">Alphabet (GOOG US)</a>'s  "quantum supremacy" milestone shows quantum computing's transformative potential, but unresolved challenges despite decades of effort risks confining it to niche applications, limiting its broader impact.  </li>
<li>Among pure-plays <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ionq-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:36838:1" rel="noopener">IonQ (IONQ US)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/d-wave-quantum-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37745:1" rel="noopener">D-Wave Quantum (QBTS US)</a> , <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rigetti-computing-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:37755:1" rel="noopener">Rigetti Computing (RGTI US)</a> stand out. IonQ's focus on high-fidelity, cloud and practical applications positions it particularly well.</li>
</ul>


Quantum computing's outlook is like Schrödinger’s cat: a varying mix of potential and challenges, with each breakthrough or setback collapsing possibilities and probabilities into a new, uncertain reality.

Alphabet (GOOG US)'s  "quantum supremacy" milestone shows quantum computing's transformative potential, but unresolved challenges despite decades of effort risks confining it to niche applications, limiting its broader impact.  
Among pure-plays IonQ (IONQ US) , D-Wave Quantum (QBTS US) , Rigetti Computing (RGTI US) stand out. IonQ's focus on high-fidelity, cloud and practical applications positions it particularly well.


Quantum Computing – The Future That’s Loading… and Not Loading

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

United Microelectronics Corp / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/united-microelectron-sp-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11540:1" rel="noopener">United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US)</a> experiences approximately a 5-10% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) decline in 1Q25. For the full year of 2025, we anticipate a modest year-over-year (YoY) decline of around 5%.</li>
<li>We have observed some strength from Taiwanese Fabless companies, which could support the 1Q25 demand for UMC.  </li>
<li>It has been noted that mature wafer demand is not solely driven by China and may help offset the impacts of the US-China Trade War, benefiting foundries outside of China.</li>
</ul>



United Microelectron Sp Adr (UMC US) experiences approximately a 5-10% quarter-over-quarter (QoQ) decline in 1Q25. For the full year of 2025, we anticipate a modest year-over-year (YoY) decline of around 5%.
We have observed some strength from Taiwanese Fabless companies, which could support the 1Q25 demand for UMC.  
It has been noted that mature wafer demand is not solely driven by China and may help offset the impacts of the US-China Trade War, benefiting foundries outside of China.


UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q25 Outlook; Surprise Support of Taiwanese Fabless.

Germany

Infineon Technologies AG designs, manufactures, and markets semiconductors. The Company offers products include power semiconductors, microcontrollers, security controllers, radio frequency products, and sensors. Infineon markets its products to the automotive, industrial, communications, and consumer and security electronics sectors.

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Infineon Technologies (IFX GR)

Rohm (6964): Is the Wait Finally Over?

Rohm's stock price above 200-day average, inventory de-stocking ending across multiple end-user markets, analysts predict lagging margins but...

Michael Allen

Automotive Power SiC: The Bankruptcy of Wolfspeed

The decline in Silicon Carbide wafer price led to bankruptcy of Wolfspeed. Blame placed on Chinese over-capacity but the vertical integration of...

Nicolas Baratte

TSMC Addresses U.S. Expansion Concerns: Strengthens TSMC Position & Positive for Semi Industry Capex

TSMC explained how it is accelerating Taiwan investments while also increasing its expansion in the U.S.. Highly positive news for semiconductor...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Quantum Computing – The Future That’s Loading… and Not Loading

Quantum computing is like Schrödinger’s cat: a varying mix of potential and challenges. Each breakthrough or setback takes possibilities and...

Pyari Menon

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q25 Outlook; Surprise Support of Taiwanese Fabless.

UMC expects a 5-10% QoQ decline in 1Q25, with a modest 5% YoY decline for 2025. Taiwanese Fabless companies may boost 1Q25 demand, while mature...

Patrick Liao

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Rohm (6964): Is the Wait Finally Over?

​Rohm's stock price above 200-day average, inventory de-stocking ending across multiple end-user markets, analysts predict lagging margins but...

Michael Allen

Automotive Power SiC: The Bankruptcy of Wolfspeed

​The decline in Silicon Carbide wafer price led to bankruptcy of Wolfspeed. Blame placed on Chinese over-capacity but the vertical integration of...

Nicolas Baratte

TSMC Addresses U.S. Expansion Concerns: Strengthens TSMC Position & Positive for Semi Industry Capex

​TSMC explained how it is accelerating Taiwan investments while also increasing its expansion in the U.S.. Highly positive news for semiconductor...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Quantum Computing – The Future That’s Loading… and Not Loading

Quantum computing is like Schrödinger’s cat: a varying mix of potential and challenges. Each breakthrough or setback takes possibilities and...

Pyari Menon

UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): 1Q25 Outlook; Surprise Support of Taiwanese Fabless.

UMC expects a 5-10% QoQ decline in 1Q25, with a modest 5% YoY decline for 2025. Taiwanese Fabless companies may boost 1Q25 demand, while mature...

Patrick Liao

Rohm's stock price above 200-day average, inventory de-stocking ending across multiple end-user markets, analysts predict lagging margins but...

The decline in Silicon Carbide wafer price led to bankruptcy of Wolfspeed. Blame placed on Chinese over-capacity but the vertical integration of...

TSMC explained how it is accelerating Taiwan investments while also increasing its expansion in the U.S.. Highly positive news for semiconductor...