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>We visited Yageo's headquarters to learn more about the business and strategy. We expect revenue quality to improve, margins to rise through 2025E, and possible accretive acquisitions.</li>
<li>The company is a heavily shorted stock based on our short model -- This implies short squeeze potential we believe. The company has over US$1.5bn of dry powder for acquisitions.</li>
<li>We rate Yageo as a Structural Long with a NT$690 target price. Potential upside catalysts outnumber downside catalysts in our view.</li>
</ul>


We visited Yageo's headquarters to learn more about the business and strategy. We expect revenue quality to improve, margins to rise through 2025E, and possible accretive acquisitions.
The company is a heavily shorted stock based on our short model -- This implies short squeeze potential we believe. The company has over US$1.5bn of dry powder for acquisitions.
We rate Yageo as a Structural Long with a NT$690 target price. Potential upside catalysts outnumber downside catalysts in our view.


Yageo: Company Visit -- Improving Revenue Quality & Cashed-Up Actively Looking For Acquisitions

<ul>
<li>Yageo has been relatively range-bound since early 2023E, missing completely the 'AI Rally' that caused many other Taiwan names to rise. Hence one can buy it without chasing hype.</li>
<li>We spoke with management. The company has historically enjoyed durable margins and we believe could enjoy a cycle turn-around as its products are linked to high-tech power needs.</li>
<li>While not directly linked to AI demand, its products have strong long-term demand dynamics and are necessary for AI servers, high-end computing, autos, defense, and communications. Structural Long, NT$690 target.</li>
</ul>


Yageo has been relatively range-bound since early 2023E, missing completely the 'AI Rally' that caused many other Taiwan names to rise. Hence one can buy it without chasing hype.
We spoke with management. The company has historically enjoyed durable margins and we believe could enjoy a cycle turn-around as its products are linked to high-tech power needs.
While not directly linked to AI demand, its products have strong long-term demand dynamics and are necessary for AI servers, high-end computing, autos, defense, and communications. Structural Long, NT$690 target.


Yageo: Left Behind By the 'AI Rally', But Robust Business Still Tied to Strong Power/EV Drivers

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

<ul>
<li>TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): US$6.6bn from US CHIPS Act; the Earthquake Impact and the 2nd Japanese Fab. </li>
<li>Memory Monitor: Nanya's Results to Provide Latest Color on DRAM Post Earthquake; Short Int Rising </li>
<li>UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): Some Rush Orders Coming in and 2Q24F Could Post Positive QoQ. </li>
</ul>


TSMC (2330.TT; TSM.US): US$6.6bn from US CHIPS Act; the Earthquake Impact and the 2nd Japanese Fab. 
Memory Monitor: Nanya's Results to Provide Latest Color on DRAM Post Earthquake; Short Int Rising 
UMC (2303.TT; UMC.US): Some Rush Orders Coming in and 2Q24F Could Post Positive QoQ. 


Taiwan Tech Weekly: TSMC Wins Major U.S. Support; Nanya Results; UMC Rush Orders

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Taiwan Tech Plays Have Soared Since TSMC's Strong Outlook, and SK Hynix Reported a Return to Op Profit</li>
<li>Memory Monitor: Microsoft Copilot Will Supercharge Demand for DRAM; SK Hynix, Nanya Tech, Micron</li>
<li>Key Upcoming Events -- Intel, Microsoft, Mediatek, UMC Results Ahead</li>
</ul>


Taiwan Tech Plays Have Soared Since TSMC's Strong Outlook, and SK Hynix Reported a Return to Op Profit
Memory Monitor: Microsoft Copilot Will Supercharge Demand for DRAM; SK Hynix, Nanya Tech, Micron
Key Upcoming Events -- Intel, Microsoft, Mediatek, UMC Results Ahead


Taiwan Tech Weekly: SK Hynix Boosts Optimism for Memory; Intel, Mediatek, Microsoft, UMC Key Events

Hon Hai Precision Industry / Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>U.S. chip restrictions have hobbled Hon Hai's China EV competition.</li>
<li>AI and advanced semiconductors will become a necessity for a globally competitive EV platform and Hon Hai appears to be moving aggressively to capture this opportunity.</li>
<li>The shares should see topline growth and major margin expansion into 2025, and the market appears to have not yet priced-in Hon Hai's latest advantageous position.</li>
</ul>


U.S. chip restrictions have hobbled Hon Hai's China EV competition.
AI and advanced semiconductors will become a necessity for a globally competitive EV platform and Hon Hai appears to be moving aggressively to capture this opportunity.
The shares should see topline growth and major margin expansion into 2025, and the market appears to have not yet priced-in Hon Hai's latest advantageous position.


Hon Hai: U.S. Chip Restrictions Vs. China Have Put Hon Hai in a Stronger Than Ever Position

Taiwan

Yageo Corporation manufactures resistors and related equipment.  The Company also produces thick-film resistors which are used in downstream electronics products, and high power thin-film resistors and chip resistors which are used in aerospace, automobile, and precision electronics industries.  Through its subsidiaries, Yageo also operates a consumer goods importing business.

Yageo Corporation (2327 TT)

Yageo: Company Visit -- Improving Revenue Quality & Cashed-Up Actively Looking For Acquisitions

The company is a heavily shorted stock based on our short model -- This implies short squeeze potential we believe. The company has over US$1.5bn...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Yageo: Left Behind By the 'AI Rally', But Robust Business Still Tied to Strong Power/EV Drivers

We spoke with management. Opportunity to acquire a stock with strong fundamentals... Without having to chase a hyped-up share price.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: TSMC Wins Major U.S. Support; Nanya Results; UMC Rush Orders

TSMC receives $6.6bn from US CHIPS Act; also plans for 2nd Japanese fab; Nanya's results to shed light on DRAM post-earthquake; UMC sees rush...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: SK Hynix Boosts Optimism for Memory; Intel, Mediatek, Microsoft, UMC Key Events

A strong outlook from TSMC and SK Hynix's return to op profit have boosted Taiwan tech; Why Microsoft's Copilot will accelerate demand for DRAM;...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Hon Hai: U.S. Chip Restrictions Vs. China Have Put Hon Hai in a Stronger Than Ever Position

AI and advanced semiconductors will become a necessity for a globally competitive EV platform -- This means that U.S. chip restricitons for China...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Yageo: Company Visit -- Improving Revenue Quality & Cashed-Up Actively Looking For Acquisitions

The company is a heavily shorted stock based on our short model -- This implies short squeeze potential we believe. The company has over US$1.5bn...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Yageo: Left Behind By the 'AI Rally', But Robust Business Still Tied to Strong Power/EV Drivers

We spoke with management. Opportunity to acquire a stock with strong fundamentals... Without having to chase a hyped-up share price.

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: TSMC Wins Major U.S. Support; Nanya Results; UMC Rush Orders

​TSMC receives $6.6bn from US CHIPS Act; also plans for 2nd Japanese fab; Nanya's results to shed light on DRAM post-earthquake; UMC sees rush...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Tech Weekly: SK Hynix Boosts Optimism for Memory; Intel, Mediatek, Microsoft, UMC Key Events

​A strong outlook from TSMC and SK Hynix's return to op profit have boosted Taiwan tech; Why Microsoft's Copilot will accelerate demand for DRAM;...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Hon Hai: U.S. Chip Restrictions Vs. China Have Put Hon Hai in a Stronger Than Ever Position

AI and advanced semiconductors will become a necessity for a globally competitive EV platform -- This means that U.S. chip restricitons for China...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

TSMC receives $6.6bn from US CHIPS Act; also plans for 2nd Japanese fab; Nanya's results to shed light on DRAM post-earthquake; UMC sees rush...

A strong outlook from TSMC and SK Hynix's return to op profit have boosted Taiwan tech; Why Microsoft's Copilot will accelerate demand for DRAM;...