US-EU Index & Corporate Actions Analyst, ORTEX

Harry Kalfas

US-EU Index & Corporate Actions Analyst

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>The merger between <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/omnicom-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15775:1" rel="noopener">Omnicom Group (OMC US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/interpublic-group-of-companies-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8544:1" rel="noopener">Interpublic Group Of Companies (IPG US)</a> aims to create a marketing powerhouse with $25.6 billion in revenue and $750 million in annual synergies.</li>
<li>Deal spread narrowed due to Omnicom's price drop, signalling market caution over post-merger performance.</li>
<li>The merger’s close, expected in 2025, will impact major US indices on an intra-quarter basis.</li>
</ul>


The merger between Omnicom Group (OMC US) and Interpublic Group Of Companies (IPG US) aims to create a marketing powerhouse with $25.6 billion in revenue and $750 million in annual synergies.
Deal spread narrowed due to Omnicom's price drop, signalling market caution over post-merger performance.
The merger’s close, expected in 2025, will impact major US indices on an intra-quarter basis.


Omnicom and IPG Merger of $25.6B Combined Revenue: Market Reaction and Major US Index Implications

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing)

<ul>
<li>There is a great opportunity for someone joining an advanced semiconductor manufacturing camp because there could be fewer players in the field.  </li>
<li>For a long time, TSMC production staff have won better bonuses in the company, meaning they might be able to overcome the difficulties in production.  </li>
<li>Rapidus might need another 5 years or more to become profitable if everything runs smoothly for 2nm technology. </li>
</ul>


There is a great opportunity for someone joining an advanced semiconductor manufacturing camp because there could be fewer players in the field.  
For a long time, TSMC production staff have won better bonuses in the company, meaning they might be able to overcome the difficulties in production.  
Rapidus might need another 5 years or more to become profitable if everything runs smoothly for 2nm technology. 


TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say.

<ul>
<li>Considering of current financial outcome of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel Corp (INTC US)</a>, we cannot but favor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-micro-devices-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19009:1" rel="noopener">Advanced Micro Devices (AMD US).</a>
</li>
<li>Currently, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-micro-devices-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19009:1" rel="noopener">Advanced Micro Devices (AMD US)</a> has a more favorable competitive landscape compared to <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel Corp (INTC US)</a>.</li>
<li>The competition in PC CPU emphasizes not only performance but also heat dissipation and other techniques related to supply management.    </li>
</ul>


Considering of current financial outcome of Intel Corp (INTC US), we cannot but favor Advanced Micro Devices (AMD US).

Currently, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD US) has a more favorable competitive landscape compared to Intel Corp (INTC US).
The competition in PC CPU emphasizes not only performance but also heat dissipation and other techniques related to supply management.    


Intel (INTC.US): Exploring a Tough Journey. (II)

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.

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs, Douglas Research Advisory

Douglas Kim

Korea/Asia, Events, IPOs

Douglas Research Advisory

<ul>
<li>S&amp;P500 is up 27.7% YTD, outperforming KOSPI which is down 6.9% YTD. Global fund flow continues to pour into top quality US stocks such as Palantir, Tesla, and NVIDIA.</li>
<li>The top 20 best performing stocks in KOSPI 200 are up on average 106.8% YTD. However, the remaining 180 stocks in KOSPI 200 are down on average 9.2% YTD. </li>
<li>There is no large Palantir-like company that deals with AI/data analytics in Korea. However, large cap IT services and telcos in Korea are increasingly expanding their AI/data analytics related business.</li>
</ul>


S&amp;P500 is up 27.7% YTD, outperforming KOSPI which is down 6.9% YTD. Global fund flow continues to pour into top quality US stocks such as Palantir, Tesla, and NVIDIA.
The top 20 best performing stocks in KOSPI 200 are up on average 106.8% YTD. However, the remaining 180 stocks in KOSPI 200 are down on average 9.2% YTD. 
There is no large Palantir-like company that deals with AI/data analytics in Korea. However, large cap IT services and telcos in Korea are increasingly expanding their AI/data analytics related business.


A Comparison of KOSPI 200 and S&P 500 Companies Performances in 2024

United States

Broadcom Inc. designs, develops, and supplies semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions. The Company offers storage adapters, controllers, networking processors, motion control encoders, and optical sensors, as well as infrastructure and security software to modernize, optimize, and secure the most complex hybrid environments. Broadcom serves customers worldwide.

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Broadcom (AVGO US)

Omnicom and IPG Merger of $25.6B Combined Revenue: Market Reaction and Major US Index Implications

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE: IPG) to merge in H2 2025 for a $25.6B Combined Revenue - intra...

Harry Kalfas

TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say.

Joining an advanced semi manufacturing camp could be a lucrative opportunity with fewer competitors, as Rapidus works on licensing IBM's 2nm GAA...

Patrick Liao

Intel (INTC.US): Exploring a Tough Journey. (II)

Intel Corp's financial outcome favors Advanced Micro Devices in the competition for PC CPU market due to a more favorable competitive landscape.

Patrick Liao

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

A Comparison of KOSPI 200 and S&P 500 Companies Performances in 2024

There is no large Palantir-like company that deals with AI/data analytics in Korea. However, large cap IT services and telcos in Korea are...

Douglas Kim

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52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Omnicom and IPG Merger of $25.6B Combined Revenue: Market Reaction and Major US Index Implications

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE: IPG) to merge in H2 2025 for a $25.6B Combined Revenue - intra...

Harry Kalfas

TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say.

​Joining an advanced semi manufacturing camp could be a lucrative opportunity with fewer competitors, as Rapidus works on licensing IBM's 2nm GAA...

Patrick Liao

Intel (INTC.US): Exploring a Tough Journey. (II)

​Intel Corp's financial outcome favors Advanced Micro Devices in the competition for PC CPU market due to a more favorable competitive landscape.

Patrick Liao

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

A Comparison of KOSPI 200 and S&P 500 Companies Performances in 2024

There is no large Palantir-like company that deals with AI/data analytics in Korea. However, large cap IT services and telcos in Korea are...

Douglas Kim

Joining an advanced semi manufacturing camp could be a lucrative opportunity with fewer competitors, as Rapidus works on licensing IBM's 2nm GAA...

Intel Corp's financial outcome favors Advanced Micro Devices in the competition for PC CPU market due to a more favorable competitive landscape.