Semiconductors, Memory and SSDs Specialist, Objective Analysis

Jim Handy

Semiconductors, Memory and SSDs Specialist

Objective Analysis

Objective Analysis offers third-party independent market research and data for the semiconductor industry and investors in the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductors, Memory and SSDs

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>AI spending is fueling today's semiconductor market, as generative AI demand falls into place</li>
<li>Hyperscale datacenters are doing the bulk of today's spending as they invest in advance of demand</li>
<li>These investments are falling into question, and spending is likely to level off or drop in 2025, leading to a dramatic semiconductor downturn</li>
</ul>


AI spending is fueling today's semiconductor market, as generative AI demand falls into place
Hyperscale datacenters are doing the bulk of today's spending as they invest in advance of demand
These investments are falling into question, and spending is likely to level off or drop in 2025, leading to a dramatic semiconductor downturn


2025 High Conviction: AI Chip Spend Slows

Independent research on the U.S. markets, Baptista Research

Baptista Research

Independent research on the U.S. markets

Baptista Research is an independent financial research house focused on the U.S. markets. We provide equity research as well as credit research reports on the top-listed U.S. companies with most of our focus on technology, consumer goods and services, automobiles, industrials, oil and gas, pharma, and healthcare. Our research has served more than 3000 institutional investors including mutual funds, hedge funds, banks, family offices, and various buy-side firms. We operate a research subscription service where institutions, as well as retail investors, can have priority access to all our research. We also have a wide distribution of our research reports across some of the top global financial platforms. Apart from equity research and credit research, we also provide advisory services with respect to mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity/ venture capital fundraising, valuation reports, and investment management services for corporates.
Baptista Research is owned and managed by Ishan Majumdar, an ex-Venture Capitalist/ Investment Banker, a Chartered Accountant, and a Masters’ degree holder in Management from HEC Paris. Ishan has nearly a decade of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs), Venture Capital Investing, Corporate Strategy, and Valuation in front-office roles at the likes of BNP Paribas CIB, Credit Agricole CIB, Groupe Danone, and TIW Private Equity. He has worked on and closed multiple acquisition deals, leveraged buyouts, and start-up investment transactions.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul><li>In a time of rapidly shifting global dynamics, NVIDIA finds itself in a delicate position amid escalating tensions between the United States, Taiwan, and China.</li><li>With Donald Trump’s return to office as the 47th President, his administration's potential tariffs on Taiwanese-made chips may spell significant implications for NVIDIA, one of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) key clients.</li><li>Trump’s administration has already criticized the U.S. CHIPS Act, calling out Taiwan for allegedly “stealing” America’s chip industry.</li></ul>

In a time of rapidly shifting global dynamics, NVIDIA finds itself in a delicate position amid escalating tensions between the United States, Taiwan, and China.With Donald Trump’s return to office as the 47th President, his administration's potential tariffs on Taiwanese-made chips may spell significant implications for NVIDIA, one of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) key clients.Trump’s administration has already criticized the U.S. CHIPS Act, calling out Taiwan for allegedly “stealing” America’s chip industry.

Is NVIDIA at Risk? Examining China Tensions and Their Impact on the Chip Giant

Analyst - Media&Entertainment Sector, Blue Lotus Research Institute

Stan Zhao

Analyst - Media&Entertainment Sector

China growth and global non-US Internet equities

Blue Lotus Research Institute

Blue Lotus Research is a Hong Kong Type 4 Licensed investment advisory firm focusing on Chinese growth equities and global non-US Internet equities

<ul>
<li>Tesla's Cybercab is expected to be under $30,000 in price, with production costs of  ~$25,000 and operating costs of 30-40 cents per mile.</li>
<li>We found Baidu's robotaxi to be faces 50% higher daily total costs and runs a fleet of 600 autonomous vehicles.</li>
<li>To compete with Tesla’s Cybercab by 2026, Baidu must significantly reduce its operating costs. Tesla's lower price and efficiency could capture a larger market share.</li>
</ul>


Tesla's Cybercab is expected to be under $30,000 in price, with production costs of  ~$25,000 and operating costs of 30-40 cents per mile.
We found Baidu's robotaxi to be faces 50% higher daily total costs and runs a fleet of 600 autonomous vehicles.
To compete with Tesla’s Cybercab by 2026, Baidu must significantly reduce its operating costs. Tesla's lower price and efficiency could capture a larger market share.


A Comparison of Tesla’s Cybercab and Baidu’s Apollo Shows the Latter Must Improve

Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing)

<ul>
<li>TSMC and UMC reported large increase in Oct sales: +25%  and +13% MoM. Impressive, but within the big trends: TSMC high growth plateau. UMC slow recovery period.</li>
<li>Semiconductor global sales growth is accelerating slightly: up 19% YoY over the previous 6 months and +23% YoY in Sept. Reflecting both sustained AI growth and a mass-markets bottoming out.</li>
<li>TSMC: valuations are high, not extreme, the stock is not breaking the NT$1,100 barrier. UMC at average valuations, at the bottom of its NT$45-55 trading range, maybe a short-term trade.</li>
</ul>


TSMC and UMC reported large increase in Oct sales: +25%  and +13% MoM. Impressive, but within the big trends: TSMC high growth plateau. UMC slow recovery period.
Semiconductor global sales growth is accelerating slightly: up 19% YoY over the previous 6 months and +23% YoY in Sept. Reflecting both sustained AI growth and a mass-markets bottoming out.
TSMC: valuations are high, not extreme, the stock is not breaking the NT$1,100 barrier. UMC at average valuations, at the bottom of its NT$45-55 trading range, maybe a short-term trade.


TSMC, UMC, Global Semi Monthly Sales: Small Acceleration

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

David Blennerhassett

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-i-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1041:1" rel="noopener">Seven &amp; I (3382 JP)</a> selling <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/seven-bank-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16063:1" rel="noopener">Seven Bank (8410 JP)</a> is obvious. It has been obvious. It is non-core. It's always been non-core. It was made  clear in previous Strategy announcements,</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/pccw-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:873:1" rel="noopener">PCCW Ltd (8 HK)</a>'s premium to NAV is unjustified. However reversing the stub has not been going to plan of late, as the NAV premium continues to widen.</li>
<li>Mavcom HAS approved the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/malaysia-airports-holdings-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:117:1" rel="noopener">Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK)</a> deal. But still welcomes public consultation. So, approved or not?</li>
</ul>



Seven &amp; I (3382 JP) selling Seven Bank (8410 JP) is obvious. It has been obvious. It is non-core. It's always been non-core. It was made  clear in previous Strategy announcements,

PCCW Ltd (8 HK)'s premium to NAV is unjustified. However reversing the stub has not been going to plan of late, as the NAV premium continues to widen.
Mavcom HAS approved the Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB MK) deal. But still welcomes public consultation. So, approved or not?


Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I/Seven Bank, PCCW, Malaysia Airports, I'rom Group

United States

NVIDIA Corporation designs, develops, and markets three dimensional (3D) graphics processors and related software.  The Company's products provide interactive 3D graphics to the mainstream personal computer market.

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NVIDIA Corp (NVDA US)

2025 High Conviction: AI Chip Spend Slows

AI spending is driving strong semiconductor growth today, but see why hyperscale spending, like 2000's Internet Bubble, is approaching an overbuilt...

Jim Handy

Is NVIDIA at Risk? Examining China Tensions and Their Impact on the Chip Giant

In a time of rapidly shifting global dynamics, NVIDIA finds itself in a delicate position amid escalating tensions between the United States,...

Baptista Research

A Comparison of Tesla’s Cybercab and Baidu’s Apollo Shows the Latter Must Improve

Baidu's robotaxi Apollo faces higher costs to build and operate than Tesla's Cybercab and Baidu must reduce operating costs to compete effectively...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

TSMC, UMC, Global Semi Monthly Sales: Small Acceleration

TSMC and UMC report strong Oct sales growth, but remain on their bigger trends: TSMC on a high growth plateau, UMC in a slow recovery period.

Nicolas Baratte

Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I/Seven Bank, PCCW, Malaysia Airports, I'rom Group

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

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Market Cap (USDm)

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2025 High Conviction: AI Chip Spend Slows

AI spending is driving strong semiconductor growth today, but see why hyperscale spending, like 2000's Internet Bubble, is approaching an overbuilt...

Jim Handy

Is NVIDIA at Risk? Examining China Tensions and Their Impact on the Chip Giant

In a time of rapidly shifting global dynamics, NVIDIA finds itself in a delicate position amid escalating tensions between the United States,...

Baptista Research

A Comparison of Tesla’s Cybercab and Baidu’s Apollo Shows the Latter Must Improve

​Baidu's robotaxi Apollo faces higher costs to build and operate than Tesla's Cybercab and Baidu must reduce operating costs to compete effectively...

Blue Lotus Research Institute

TSMC, UMC, Global Semi Monthly Sales: Small Acceleration

​TSMC and UMC report strong Oct sales growth, but remain on their bigger trends: TSMC on a high growth plateau, UMC in a slow recovery period.

Nicolas Baratte

Last Week in Event SPACE: Seven & I/Seven Bank, PCCW, Malaysia Airports, I'rom Group

It’s Sunday! Pour yourself a coffee, grab a comfortable seat, and sift through a brief summary of insights on various events discussed during the...

David Blennerhassett

Baidu's robotaxi Apollo faces higher costs to build and operate than Tesla's Cybercab and Baidu must reduce operating costs to compete effectively...

TSMC and UMC report strong Oct sales growth, but remain on their bigger trends: TSMC on a high growth plateau, UMC in a slow recovery period.