Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Positive Management tone, as always, but no material clarification on 2026 revenues: China down (back to “normal”), Low NA EUV increase, some High NA but that’s still  pre-production.</li>
<li>ASML has many qualities: monopoly, litho intensity increasing. Downside risks: how low China revenue go, is Mngt still double counting TSMC + Intel capacity, expectations for High NA too high?</li>
<li>ASML is a lot more expensive than AMD, NVDA, MU, SK, TSM for very low growth. I don't like Broadcom for same reason: better Price / Growth in AMD, NVDA.</li>
</ul>


Positive Management tone, as always, but no material clarification on 2026 revenues: China down (back to “normal”), Low NA EUV increase, some High NA but that’s still  pre-production.
ASML has many qualities: monopoly, litho intensity increasing. Downside risks: how low China revenue go, is Mngt still double counting TSMC + Intel capacity, expectations for High NA too high?
ASML is a lot more expensive than AMD, NVDA, MU, SK, TSM for very low growth. I don't like Broadcom for same reason: better Price / Growth in AMD, NVDA.


ASML: No Clarification on 2026, China Procurement in Excess of End-Demand, High NA Start in 2028

AI | Semiconductors | Commodities, Mint Finance

Raghav Vashisht

AI | Semiconductors | Commodities

Deep Fundamental Analysis

Mint Finance

Mint Finance's investment research blends deep fundamental analysis with technical & quant insights. Investment strategies straddle across multiple asset classes with risk management embedded into every trade to deliver an outsized reward-to-risk ratio.

Mint Finance's research is centered around three key themes. First, energy transition and climate change. Second, artificial intelligence. Third, shifting world order with its impact across politics and monetary economics.

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>Citi’s claim that AI has triggered the first true semiconductor upcycle in 25 years is partially convincing but also shows signs of overreach.</li>
<li>While ASPs have soared and logic chip margins are inflated, signs of margin compression, overordering, and inventory noise suggest the <em>pricing</em> boom may be peaking.</li>
<li>Investors may need to distinguish between capital-efficient AI bets and overleveraged plays, especially as credit markets begin to price in growing execution and demand risks.</li>
</ul>


Citi’s claim that AI has triggered the first true semiconductor upcycle in 25 years is partially convincing but also shows signs of overreach.
While ASPs have soared and logic chip margins are inflated, signs of margin compression, overordering, and inventory noise suggest the pricing boom may be peaking.
Investors may need to distinguish between capital-efficient AI bets and overleveraged plays, especially as credit markets begin to price in growing execution and demand risks.


Citi’s AI Supercycle Thesis Faces a Logic Check

<ul>
<li>OpenAI’s growth model relies on an intricate loop of vendor financing, aggressive forward contracts, and $80B+ in projected external capital.</li>
<li>Long-Dated chip commitments seem less about immediate infra demand and more about bolstering OpenAI’s fundraising optics by showcasing secured access to future capacity.</li>
<li>If credit tightens or execution slips, the weakest links—OEMs and private equity firms backing infra-hungry AI startups—may snap first, with cascading effects on Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC to follow.</li>
</ul>


OpenAI’s growth model relies on an intricate loop of vendor financing, aggressive forward contracts, and $80B+ in projected external capital.
Long-Dated chip commitments seem less about immediate infra demand and more about bolstering OpenAI’s fundraising optics by showcasing secured access to future capacity.
If credit tightens or execution slips, the weakest links—OEMs and private equity firms backing infra-hungry AI startups—may snap first, with cascading effects on Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC to follow.


OpenAI and Its House Built on GPUs, Debt, and Leveraged Demand

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’s Grip Tightens: 2Q25 Market Share Hits New Heights; September Revenue Implies Even More Taken</li>
<li>TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): U.S. Stocks Plunged on October 10 Under Heavy Selling Pressure. </li>
<li>PC Monitor: Dell Doubles Multi-Year Forecasts; AI PC Up-Cycle, Art Thou Finally Here? </li>
</ul>


TSMC’s Grip Tightens: 2Q25 Market Share Hits New Heights; September Revenue Implies Even More Taken
TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): U.S. Stocks Plunged on October 10 Under Heavy Selling Pressure. 
PC Monitor: Dell Doubles Multi-Year Forecasts; AI PC Up-Cycle, Art Thou Finally Here? 


Taiwan Tech Weekly: TSMC's Market Share Keeps Rising; Semi Revenues Show AI the Only Pillar; AI PCs

<ul>
<li>As Chips Move to 3nm and 2nm Designs, Tech Companies Could See a Sharp Increase in Their Chip Manufacturing Cost</li>
<li>Intel (INTC.US): AMD to Submit Foundry Orders to Intel? We Think It’s Highly Unlikely. </li>
<li>HBM Stocks Will Keep Running (Micron, SK Hynix), It’s Just the Beginning </li>
</ul>


As Chips Move to 3nm and 2nm Designs, Tech Companies Could See a Sharp Increase in Their Chip Manufacturing Cost
Intel (INTC.US): AMD to Submit Foundry Orders to Intel? We Think It’s Highly Unlikely. 
HBM Stocks Will Keep Running (Micron, SK Hynix), It’s Just the Beginning 


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Why Many Tech Companies Could Soon See Their Chip Costs Rise Substantially

United States

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) produces semiconductor products and devices. The Company offers products such as microprocessors, embedded microprocessors, chipsets, graphics, video and multimedia products and supplies it to third-party foundries, as well as provides assembling, testing, and packaging services. AMD serves customers worldwide.

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Advanced Micro Devices (AMD US)

ASML: No Clarification on 2026, China Procurement in Excess of End-Demand, High NA Start in 2028

ASML's positive management tone lacks material clarification on 2026 revenues. Concerns: China revenue, double counting TSMC + Intel capacity,...

Nicolas Baratte

Citi’s AI Supercycle Thesis Faces a Logic Check

Citi believes AI has sparked a semiconductor upcycle, but warnings about potential overreach and pricing peaks still exist. Investors should be...

Mint Finance

OpenAI and Its House Built on GPUs, Debt, and Leveraged Demand

OpenAI's growth model hinges on vendor financing, forward contracts, and projected external capital, with potential risks for OEMs and private...

Mint Finance

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Why Many Tech Companies Could Soon See Their Chip Costs Rise Substantially

Tech companies face rising chip manufacturing costs as they transition to 3nm and 2nm designs. Additionally, the HBM memory rally could have legs.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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ASML: No Clarification on 2026, China Procurement in Excess of End-Demand, High NA Start in 2028

​ASML's positive management tone lacks material clarification on 2026 revenues. Concerns: China revenue, double counting TSMC + Intel capacity,...

Nicolas Baratte

Citi’s AI Supercycle Thesis Faces a Logic Check

​Citi believes AI has sparked a semiconductor upcycle, but warnings about potential overreach and pricing peaks still exist. Investors should be...

Mint Finance

OpenAI and Its House Built on GPUs, Debt, and Leveraged Demand

​OpenAI's growth model hinges on vendor financing, forward contracts, and projected external capital, with potential risks for OEMs and private...

Mint Finance

Taiwan Tech Weekly: TSMC's Market Share Keeps Rising; Semi Revenues Show AI the Only Pillar; AI PCs

​TSMC dominates market share, while Dell sees promising growth in PC monitor sales. US stocks plummet under selling pressure.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Why Many Tech Companies Could Soon See Their Chip Costs Rise Substantially

​Tech companies face rising chip manufacturing costs as they transition to 3nm and 2nm designs. Additionally, the HBM memory rally could have legs.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

ASML's positive management tone lacks material clarification on 2026 revenues. Concerns: China revenue, double counting TSMC + Intel capacity,...

Citi believes AI has sparked a semiconductor upcycle, but warnings about potential overreach and pricing peaks still exist. Investors should be...

OpenAI's growth model hinges on vendor financing, forward contracts, and projected external capital, with potential risks for OEMs and private...

TSMC dominates market share, while Dell sees promising growth in PC monitor sales. US stocks plummet under selling pressure.

Tech companies face rising chip manufacturing costs as they transition to 3nm and 2nm designs. Additionally, the HBM memory rally could have legs.