Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>AI Accelerators (Nvidia and AMD GPU, hyperscalers’ chips) receive a lot of attention. AI rack assemblers, the companies that turn GPU into systems are equally interesting – and concentrated.</li>
<li>They are mostly Taiwanese firms: Hon Hai, Quanta, Wistron, Wiwynn and module makers like Accton. Growth of the top suppliers is impressive, stocks aren’t expensive.</li>
<li>2 different markets: hyperscalers customized racks, and Nvidia standard products. It is possible that standard racks that go into AI data centers or “AI factory” will outgrow hyperscalers’ spending.</li>
</ul>


AI Accelerators (Nvidia and AMD GPU, hyperscalers’ chips) receive a lot of attention. AI rack assemblers, the companies that turn GPU into systems are equally interesting – and concentrated.
They are mostly Taiwanese firms: Hon Hai, Quanta, Wistron, Wiwynn and module makers like Accton. Growth of the top suppliers is impressive, stocks aren’t expensive.
2 different markets: hyperscalers customized racks, and Nvidia standard products. It is possible that standard racks that go into AI data centers or “AI factory” will outgrow hyperscalers’ spending.


AI Servers: The Big System Designers / Assemblers in Taiwan

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>Intel Down But Not Out -- Reportedly Wins Major Microsoft Foundry Contract; Significant Interest from Nvidia and Google</li>
<li>AMD CEO Lisa Su Presents to U.S. Senate -- Taiwan is America’s Key Ally in the AI Chip Race</li>
<li>Mediatek Approaching Potential Share Catalyst at Computex Taiwan; Nvidia PC PC Announcement Expected</li>
</ul>


Intel Down But Not Out -- Reportedly Wins Major Microsoft Foundry Contract; Significant Interest from Nvidia and Google
AMD CEO Lisa Su Presents to U.S. Senate -- Taiwan is America’s Key Ally in the AI Chip Race
Mediatek Approaching Potential Share Catalyst at Computex Taiwan; Nvidia PC PC Announcement Expected


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Intel Foundry Gains Big Tech Interest; AMD CEO Champions Taiwan in D.C

<ul>
<li>Leaked Mediatek Chip Specs? -- Talk of a "Qualcomm Killer"</li>
<li>Hon Hai in the New York Times -- Why Foxconn is Investing in Texas &amp; Thailand</li>
<li>TSMC's Arizona 4nm Production On Track to Start 2H25E -- Still Expected to Be 30% Higher Cost vs. Taiwan and That's Okay</li>
</ul>


Leaked Mediatek Chip Specs? -- Talk of a "Qualcomm Killer"
Hon Hai in the New York Times -- Why Foxconn is Investing in Texas &amp; Thailand
TSMC's Arizona 4nm Production On Track to Start 2H25E -- Still Expected to Be 30% Higher Cost vs. Taiwan and That's Okay


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Leaked Mediatek Specs Spur Talk Of "Qualcomm Killer"'; TSMC on Track in Arizona

<ul>
<li>IDC reported 3Q24 PC shipments declining -2% YoY, Canalys an increase of +1%. Let’s call this flat. If 4Q24 is “average seasonal”, 2024 will reach ~265m, or the pre-Covid range. </li>
<li>No AI fever, no accelerated replacement cycle, for now. If it happens, it will take time, ie compelling AI apps that only run locally and need a new PC.</li>
<li>In Asia, PC vendors: Lenovo, Acer, Asus. Taiwan ODM: Compal, Quanta, Wistron. Semi with high exposure: Novatek, Realtek. </li>
</ul>


IDC reported 3Q24 PC shipments declining -2% YoY, Canalys an increase of +1%. Let’s call this flat. If 4Q24 is “average seasonal”, 2024 will reach ~265m, or the pre-Covid range. 
No AI fever, no accelerated replacement cycle, for now. If it happens, it will take time, ie compelling AI apps that only run locally and need a new PC.
In Asia, PC vendors: Lenovo, Acer, Asus. Taiwan ODM: Compal, Quanta, Wistron. Semi with high exposure: Novatek, Realtek. 


3Q24 PC Shipments Are Flat YoY. Lenovo, Acer, Asus. Compal, Quanta, Wistron.

<ul>
<li>Apple Increasing Chip Orders with TSMC -- Expecting iPhone 16 Sales to be Much Stronger Than iPhone 15 Thanks to AI</li>
<li>Google Said to be Shifting to TSMC from Samsung for Next Generation AI Mobile Phone Chips</li>
<li>This June 28th piece appears to be timely -- Memory Monitor: Micron's Shares May Be Falling But Results' Industry Implications Are Positive</li>
</ul>


Apple Increasing Chip Orders with TSMC -- Expecting iPhone 16 Sales to be Much Stronger Than iPhone 15 Thanks to AI
Google Said to be Shifting to TSMC from Samsung for Next Generation AI Mobile Phone Chips
This June 28th piece appears to be timely -- Memory Monitor: Micron's Shares May Be Falling But Results' Industry Implications Are Positive


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Apple Hikes TSMC Orders on Strong IPhone 16 Hopes; Google Shifts AI Chip to TSMC

Taiwan

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. provides electronic manufacturing services for computers, communications, and consumer electronic products.  The Company's business operations include desktop and notebook PC assembly, connector production, cable assembly, PCB assembly, handset manufacturing, networking equipment, and other consumer electronic devices manufacturing.

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Hon Hai Precision Industry (2317 TT)

AI Servers: The Big System Designers / Assemblers in Taiwan

Taiwanese AI rack assemblers are gaining attention for turning GPUs into systems, showing impressive growth in the AI server rack market. Stocks...

Nicolas Baratte

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Intel Foundry Gains Big Tech Interest; AMD CEO Champions Taiwan in D.C

Intel secures Microsoft contract, AMD emphasizes Taiwan alliance in AI chip race, Mediatek poised for growth at Computex Taiwan.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Leaked Mediatek Specs Spur Talk Of "Qualcomm Killer"'; TSMC on Track in Arizona

Leaked Mediatek chip specs hint at potential rival to Qualcomm's flagship chips; Foxconn investing in Texas & Thailand; TSMC's Arizona production...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

3Q24 PC Shipments Are Flat YoY. Lenovo, Acer, Asus. Compal, Quanta, Wistron.

3Q24 PC shipments are flat YoY. The great recovery or AI replacement cycle aren’t happening (for now). IDC reported 3Q24 PC shipments declining -2%...

Nicolas Baratte

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Apple Hikes TSMC Orders on Strong IPhone 16 Hopes; Google Shifts AI Chip to TSMC

Apple and Google are increasing chip orders with TSMC for AI capabilities. Micron's shares inititially fell after reporting results previously,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

AI Servers: The Big System Designers / Assemblers in Taiwan

​Taiwanese AI rack assemblers are gaining attention for turning GPUs into systems, showing impressive growth in the AI server rack market. Stocks...

Nicolas Baratte

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Intel Foundry Gains Big Tech Interest; AMD CEO Champions Taiwan in D.C

​Intel secures Microsoft contract, AMD emphasizes Taiwan alliance in AI chip race, Mediatek poised for growth at Computex Taiwan.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Leaked Mediatek Specs Spur Talk Of "Qualcomm Killer"'; TSMC on Track in Arizona

​Leaked Mediatek chip specs hint at potential rival to Qualcomm's flagship chips; Foxconn investing in Texas & Thailand; TSMC's Arizona production...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

3Q24 PC Shipments Are Flat YoY. Lenovo, Acer, Asus. Compal, Quanta, Wistron.

3Q24 PC shipments are flat YoY. The great recovery or AI replacement cycle aren’t happening (for now). IDC reported 3Q24 PC shipments declining -2%...

Nicolas Baratte

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Apple Hikes TSMC Orders on Strong IPhone 16 Hopes; Google Shifts AI Chip to TSMC

​Apple and Google are increasing chip orders with TSMC for AI capabilities. Micron's shares inititially fell after reporting results previously,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwanese AI rack assemblers are gaining attention for turning GPUs into systems, showing impressive growth in the AI server rack market. Stocks...

Intel secures Microsoft contract, AMD emphasizes Taiwan alliance in AI chip race, Mediatek poised for growth at Computex Taiwan.

Leaked Mediatek chip specs hint at potential rival to Qualcomm's flagship chips; Foxconn investing in Texas & Thailand; TSMC's Arizona production...

Apple and Google are increasing chip orders with TSMC for AI capabilities. Micron's shares inititially fell after reporting results previously,...