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

<ul>
<li>
ASUS beat 1Q25 expectations, but flagged tariff risks and a potential PC demand slowdown in 2H25 as consumers front-load purchases ahead of pricing uncertainty.</li>
<li>
PC segment growth outperformed the market, led by &gt;30% YoY gains in commercial PCs and strong momentum in AI-capable and gaming systems.</li>
<li>
On-Device AI execution is emerging as the next PC evolution; Asus is preparing for this shift with GX10 edge devices and deeper integration of AI across product lines.</li>
</ul>



ASUS beat 1Q25 expectations, but flagged tariff risks and a potential PC demand slowdown in 2H25 as consumers front-load purchases ahead of pricing uncertainty.

PC segment growth outperformed the market, led by &gt;30% YoY gains in commercial PCs and strong momentum in AI-capable and gaming systems.

On-Device AI execution is emerging as the next PC evolution; Asus is preparing for this shift with GX10 edge devices and deeper integration of AI across product lines.


PC Monitor: Asus Results Warn of Coming Slowdown; PCs' Next Edge AI Shift

<ul>
<li>Branded PC makers' shares have been mostly lower in April, however Intel and Microsoft developments are providing strong signals for a future PC upgrade cycle into AI PCs.</li>
<li>Over 60% of Fortune 500 companies are now using Microsoft's CoPilot AI assistant; Intel expects the industry to exceed its prior forecast for AI PC shipments in 2024E.</li>
<li>CoPilot is the killer app that will trigger a global enterprise PC upgrade cycle; The next generation of CoPilot will be an edge AI app that will require powerful hardware.</li>
</ul>


Branded PC makers' shares have been mostly lower in April, however Intel and Microsoft developments are providing strong signals for a future PC upgrade cycle into AI PCs.
Over 60% of Fortune 500 companies are now using Microsoft's CoPilot AI assistant; Intel expects the industry to exceed its prior forecast for AI PC shipments in 2024E.
CoPilot is the killer app that will trigger a global enterprise PC upgrade cycle; The next generation of CoPilot will be an edge AI app that will require powerful hardware.


PC Monitor: The Next Version of MSFT CoPilot Will Be the Killer App for a Global AI PC Upgrade Cycle

<ul>
<li>PC &amp; Server solutions names have fallen moderately from highs in June, however enterprise server company HPE soared 20% on AI strength.</li>
<li>Despite the market pullback from highs, we note that 2025E forward growth expectations have generally increased for the universe over the last month.</li>
<li>Latest Taiwan PC company revenues indicate healthy growth and HPE's management guided for Enterprise AI orders to accelerate.</li>
</ul>


PC &amp; Server solutions names have fallen moderately from highs in June, however enterprise server company HPE soared 20% on AI strength.
Despite the market pullback from highs, we note that 2025E forward growth expectations have generally increased for the universe over the last month.
Latest Taiwan PC company revenues indicate healthy growth and HPE's management guided for Enterprise AI orders to accelerate.


PC Monitor: Growth Expectations Have Increased Recently; HPE Signals Enterprise AI Acceleration

<ul>
<li>Soft PC Results from Dell and HPQ and Delayed Industry PC Upgrades into  2025E; Dell and HPQ Shares Fall Sharply</li>
<li>Conclusion: Both Firms Confirm Relative Strength for Commercial and Weakness for Consumer; AI PCs and Windows 11 to Drive 2025E Upgrades</li>
<li>Asia PC Makers Showing Stronger Growth; However, Dell &amp; HPQ Share Rout May Weigh on Sentiment</li>
</ul>


Soft PC Results from Dell and HPQ and Delayed Industry PC Upgrades into  2025E; Dell and HPQ Shares Fall Sharply
Conclusion: Both Firms Confirm Relative Strength for Commercial and Weakness for Consumer; AI PCs and Windows 11 to Drive 2025E Upgrades
Asia PC Makers Showing Stronger Growth; However, Dell &amp; HPQ Share Rout May Weigh on Sentiment


PC Monitor: Dell & HPQ Highlight Sharp Divide Between Corporate and Consumer PC Demand; Shares Slump

<ul>
<li>We hosted a conference call with Elan Microelectronics management; We view the company as a Structural Long position for the AI PC upgrade cycle.</li>
<li>From the company's perspective, significant impact from AI PC demand will come but not until 4Q24E or 1H25E. However, supply chain excess inventory improved and prepping for upcycle.</li>
<li>An estimated 90% of AI PC models launched at CES 2024 use Elan's products in their design; Elan well positioned for the upcycle and entrenching its position. Maintain Structural Long.</li>
</ul>


We hosted a conference call with Elan Microelectronics management; We view the company as a Structural Long position for the AI PC upgrade cycle.
From the company's perspective, significant impact from AI PC demand will come but not until 4Q24E or 1H25E. However, supply chain excess inventory improved and prepping for upcycle.
An estimated 90% of AI PC models launched at CES 2024 use Elan's products in their design; Elan well positioned for the upcycle and entrenching its position. Maintain Structural Long.


TechChain Insights: Call with Elan Micro; AI PC Significant Uptake 4Q24/1H25; Supply Chain Preparing

Taiwan

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

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Asustek Computer (2357 TT)

PC Monitor: Asus Results Warn of Coming Slowdown; PCs' Next Edge AI Shift

ASUS surpasses 1Q25 expectations, warns of tariff risks and possible PC demand dip in 2H25 due to pricing uncertainty. PC segment growth strong,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: The Next Version of MSFT CoPilot Will Be the Killer App for a Global AI PC Upgrade Cycle

CoPilot, as an edge AI app, will drive a global PC upgrade cycle with its next-gen version requiring advanced hardware.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Growth Expectations Have Increased Recently; HPE Signals Enterprise AI Acceleration

PC & Server Solution share prices have dipped from recent highs, however forward growth expectations have increased over the last month and...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Dell & HPQ Highlight Sharp Divide Between Corporate and Consumer PC Demand; Shares Slump

Dell and HPQ report soft PC results, with industry upgrades delayed until 2025. Commercial strength confirmed, while consumer weakness persists.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TechChain Insights: Call with Elan Micro; AI PC Significant Uptake 4Q24/1H25; Supply Chain Preparing

Elan Microelectronics is poised for growth in the AI PC upgrade cycle, with a strong position in the market and potential impact expected in late...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

PC Monitor: Asus Results Warn of Coming Slowdown; PCs' Next Edge AI Shift

​ASUS surpasses 1Q25 expectations, warns of tariff risks and possible PC demand dip in 2H25 due to pricing uncertainty. PC segment growth strong,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: The Next Version of MSFT CoPilot Will Be the Killer App for a Global AI PC Upgrade Cycle

​CoPilot, as an edge AI app, will drive a global PC upgrade cycle with its next-gen version requiring advanced hardware.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Growth Expectations Have Increased Recently; HPE Signals Enterprise AI Acceleration

​PC & Server Solution share prices have dipped from recent highs, however forward growth expectations have increased over the last month and...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

PC Monitor: Dell & HPQ Highlight Sharp Divide Between Corporate and Consumer PC Demand; Shares Slump

​Dell and HPQ report soft PC results, with industry upgrades delayed until 2025. Commercial strength confirmed, while consumer weakness persists.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TechChain Insights: Call with Elan Micro; AI PC Significant Uptake 4Q24/1H25; Supply Chain Preparing

​Elan Microelectronics is poised for growth in the AI PC upgrade cycle, with a strong position in the market and potential impact expected in late...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

ASUS surpasses 1Q25 expectations, warns of tariff risks and possible PC demand dip in 2H25 due to pricing uncertainty. PC segment growth strong,...

CoPilot, as an edge AI app, will drive a global PC upgrade cycle with its next-gen version requiring advanced hardware.

PC & Server Solution share prices have dipped from recent highs, however forward growth expectations have increased over the last month and...

Dell and HPQ report soft PC results, with industry upgrades delayed until 2025. Commercial strength confirmed, while consumer weakness persists.

Elan Microelectronics is poised for growth in the AI PC upgrade cycle, with a strong position in the market and potential impact expected in late...