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.

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Tan’s continuation of IDM 2.0 marks a pragmatic recalibration. By focusing on margin recapture and tailored customer models, Intel's ambitions are not just about competing with TSMC at scale.</li>
<li>Intel’s 18A node was never intended as a mass-market foundry product; it was a strategic, internal milestone to reestablish process credibility, with commercial foundry ambitions anchored in 18A-P and 14A.</li>
<li>Intel’s future hinges less on market share and more on executing a credible, margin-accretive foundry model.  It could well emerge as a second-source alternative in a geopolitically fragmented supply chain.</li>
</ul>


Tan’s continuation of IDM 2.0 marks a pragmatic recalibration. By focusing on margin recapture and tailored customer models, Intel's ambitions are not just about competing with TSMC at scale.
Intel’s 18A node was never intended as a mass-market foundry product; it was a strategic, internal milestone to reestablish process credibility, with commercial foundry ambitions anchored in 18A-P and 14A.
Intel’s future hinges less on market share and more on executing a credible, margin-accretive foundry model.  It could well emerge as a second-source alternative in a geopolitically fragmented supply chain.


Carving Out a Niche: The Case for Intel’s Foundry Strategy Beyond the TSMC Benchmark

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

United Microelectronics Corp / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>UMC’s renewed push into 6nm, paired with Intel’s strategic overhaul under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, raises the likelihood of an Intel equity stake in UMC.</li>
<li>We maintain our Structural Long view on UMC and reiterate our original thesis: a deeper partnership via a stake from Intel would be transformative.</li>
<li>At 12.5x trailing PER with a net cash position, UMC remains attractively valued as a strategic asset -- especially if can essentially have its own 'Group' advanced fabs with Intel.</li>
</ul>


UMC’s renewed push into 6nm, paired with Intel’s strategic overhaul under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, raises the likelihood of an Intel equity stake in UMC.
We maintain our Structural Long view on UMC and reiterate our original thesis: a deeper partnership via a stake from Intel would be transformative.
At 12.5x trailing PER with a net cash position, UMC remains attractively valued as a strategic asset -- especially if can essentially have its own 'Group' advanced fabs with Intel.


Our Thesis: Intel Should Take a Stake in UMC -- New Signals Reinforce the Case

Technology / Semiconductor / Internet Research

Nicolas Baratte

<ul>
<li>The real point of Reuters’ article on Intel CEO “new” Foundry strategy is, imo, to pre-announce the possibility of a very large write off </li>
<li>TSMC discontinues GaN doesn’t matter, it’s not even 1% of revenue. 1) Auto demand is slow, GaN is lower margins, lot of competition  2) management has better things to do </li>
<li>UMC 6nm rumor, maybe yes but most likely with Intel’s manufacturing after 2030. UMC and Intel first start with 12nm in 2027-28.</li>
</ul>


The real point of Reuters’ article on Intel CEO “new” Foundry strategy is, imo, to pre-announce the possibility of a very large write off 
TSMC discontinues GaN doesn’t matter, it’s not even 1% of revenue. 1) Auto demand is slow, GaN is lower margins, lot of competition  2) management has better things to do 
UMC 6nm rumor, maybe yes but most likely with Intel’s manufacturing after 2030. UMC and Intel first start with 12nm in 2027-28.


Intel 18A Not Ready for Foundry (Preparing for Bad News?), TSMC Exit GaN (Doesn’t Matter), UMC 6nm

Taiwan Tech Focused Senior Analyst

Patrick Liao

<ul>
<li>Even if <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/intel-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:16764:1" rel="noopener">Intel Corp (INTC US)</a> ceases marketing 18A to new customers, the company will still fulfill existing foundry commitments.</li>
<li>In response to the 18A dilemma, Intel’s initial solution is to redirect resources toward the development of 14A, a next-generation process where Intel hopes to gain an edge over TSMC.</li>
<li>In addition to the strategic realignment of the foundry business, Tan’s broader efforts include refreshing Intel’s leadership team.</li>
</ul>


Even if Intel Corp (INTC US) ceases marketing 18A to new customers, the company will still fulfill existing foundry commitments.
In response to the 18A dilemma, Intel’s initial solution is to redirect resources toward the development of 14A, a next-generation process where Intel hopes to gain an edge over TSMC.
In addition to the strategic realignment of the foundry business, Tan’s broader efforts include refreshing Intel’s leadership team.


Intel (INTC.US): Abandon Promoting 18A to Fully Focus on 14A

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR / Equity Bottom-Up

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR

<ul>
<li>Samsung Said to Have Give Up Chasing TSMC at the Leading Edge of Chip Manufacturing</li>
<li>Xiaomi’s Tesla-Killer YU7 EV Surges in Orders -- TSMC Rides the Wave as Core Chip Supplier</li>
<li>TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say (II)</li>
</ul>


Samsung Said to Have Give Up Chasing TSMC at the Leading Edge of Chip Manufacturing
Xiaomi’s Tesla-Killer YU7 EV Surges in Orders -- TSMC Rides the Wave as Core Chip Supplier
TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): Will Rapidus Threaten TSMC's 2nm Market? We Think It's Too Early to Say (II)


Taiwan Tech Weekly: Has Samsung Given Up Chasing TSMC?; Xiaomi Tesla-Killer EV Using Key TSMC Chips

Taiwan

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. manufactures integrated circuits based on its proprietary designs.  The Company offers a comprehensive set of integrated circuit fabrication processes to manufacture CMOS logic, mixed-mode, volatile and non-volatile memory and BiCMOS chips.  Taiwan Semiconductor is an affiliate of Philips Electronics N.V.

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR (TSM US)

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TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) - ADR (TSM US)

Carving Out a Niche: The Case for Intel’s Foundry Strategy Beyond the TSMC Benchmark

Many are calling the internalisation of 18A a retreat. We see that claim as a point of information, and Intel’s playbook as one that’s tightening...

Mint Finance

Our Thesis: Intel Should Take a Stake in UMC -- New Signals Reinforce the Case

UMC's partnership with Intel, including a possible equity stake, could be transformative and strategically valuable for both companies. Latest...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Intel 18A Not Ready for Foundry (Preparing for Bad News?), TSMC Exit GaN (Doesn’t Matter), UMC 6nm

Reuters' on Intel "new" Foundry strategy may be hinting at a potential write off in the future. TSMC discontinuing GaN insignificant due to low...

Nicolas Baratte

Intel (INTC.US): Abandon Promoting 18A to Fully Focus on 14A

Intel Corp will continue fulfilling foundry commitments despite ceasing marketing of 18A, focusing on developing 14A to compete with TSMC and...

Patrick Liao

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Has Samsung Given Up Chasing TSMC?; Xiaomi Tesla-Killer EV Using Key TSMC Chips

Samsung has reportedly stopped trying to catch up to TSMC in chip manufacturing, while TSMC benefits from Xiaomi's surge in EV orders. The threat...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Carving Out a Niche: The Case for Intel’s Foundry Strategy Beyond the TSMC Benchmark

Many are calling the internalisation of 18A a retreat. We see that claim as a point of information, and Intel’s playbook as one that’s tightening...

Mint Finance

Our Thesis: Intel Should Take a Stake in UMC -- New Signals Reinforce the Case

​UMC's partnership with Intel, including a possible equity stake, could be transformative and strategically valuable for both companies. Latest...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Intel 18A Not Ready for Foundry (Preparing for Bad News?), TSMC Exit GaN (Doesn’t Matter), UMC 6nm

​Reuters' on Intel "new" Foundry strategy may be hinting at a potential write off in the future. TSMC discontinuing GaN insignificant due to low...

Nicolas Baratte

Intel (INTC.US): Abandon Promoting 18A to Fully Focus on 14A

​Intel Corp will continue fulfilling foundry commitments despite ceasing marketing of 18A, focusing on developing 14A to compete with TSMC and...

Patrick Liao

Taiwan Tech Weekly: Has Samsung Given Up Chasing TSMC?; Xiaomi Tesla-Killer EV Using Key TSMC Chips

​Samsung has reportedly stopped trying to catch up to TSMC in chip manufacturing, while TSMC benefits from Xiaomi's surge in EV orders. The threat...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

UMC's partnership with Intel, including a possible equity stake, could be transformative and strategically valuable for both companies. Latest...

Reuters' on Intel "new" Foundry strategy may be hinting at a potential write off in the future. TSMC discontinuing GaN insignificant due to low...

Intel Corp will continue fulfilling foundry commitments despite ceasing marketing of 18A, focusing on developing 14A to compete with TSMC and...

Samsung has reportedly stopped trying to catch up to TSMC in chip manufacturing, while TSMC benefits from Xiaomi's surge in EV orders. The threat...