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

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

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.

Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC) - ADR (TSM US)

<ul>
<li>TSMC: +17% Premium; Has Remained Above 15% for Over Nearly Two Weeks</li>
<li>ASE: +11.8% Premium; We Continue to View 14%+ as Range to Short From</li>
<li>CHT: +0.6% Premium; Can Consider Shorting the Spread at Current Level</li>
</ul>


TSMC: +17% Premium; Has Remained Above 15% for Over Nearly Two Weeks
ASE: +11.8% Premium; We Continue to View 14%+ as Range to Short From
CHT: +0.6% Premium; Can Consider Shorting the Spread at Current Level


Taiwan Dual-Listings Monitor: TSMC Spread Trading at New High Range, CHT Spread at Short Levels

<ul>
<li>Taiwan Tech and Nvidia Rally Ahead of Nvidia Earnings Next Week; Microsoft Build Conference Could Showcase Edge AI Copilot</li>
<li>Hon Hai: Traditional Server Market Now Adding to AI Growth; Expects Market Share Gains in 2024E </li>
<li>Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle </li>
</ul>


Taiwan Tech and Nvidia Rally Ahead of Nvidia Earnings Next Week; Microsoft Build Conference Could Showcase Edge AI Copilot
Hon Hai: Traditional Server Market Now Adding to AI Growth; Expects Market Share Gains in 2024E 
Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle 


Taiwan Tech Weekly: All Eyes on Nvidia Results Next Week; Microsoft Copilot Edge AI To Be Showcased?

Hon Hai Precision Industry / Equity Bottom-Up

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.

<ul>
<li>Hon Hai reported 1Q24 revenue that fell 9% YoY, however the company reiterated its guidance for significant growth in 2024E and said growth now looks stronger than guided in March.</li>
<li>Hon Hai's cloud (including servers) business didn't grow as much as guided due to material shortages; but AI server revenue up 200% YoY and significant growth is guided for 2024E.</li>
<li>The traditional server market is rebounding, to grow double digits in 2024E. Hon Hai expects to take market share in 2024. Structural Long but near-term gains could be limited.</li>
</ul>


Hon Hai reported 1Q24 revenue that fell 9% YoY, however the company reiterated its guidance for significant growth in 2024E and said growth now looks stronger than guided in March.
Hon Hai's cloud (including servers) business didn't grow as much as guided due to material shortages; but AI server revenue up 200% YoY and significant growth is guided for 2024E.
The traditional server market is rebounding, to grow double digits in 2024E. Hon Hai expects to take market share in 2024. Structural Long but near-term gains could be limited.


Hon Hai: Traditional Server Market Now Adding to AI Growth; Expects Market Share Gains in 2024E

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

<ul>
<li>Asus's 1Q24 earnings beat consensus by 46% thanks to major increase in operating margin driven by costs optimization. Adjusted Asus brand Op profit rose 227% YoY and 98% QoQ.</li>
<li>Asus will host a major AI PC launch event May 21st, with additional AI PCs launched at Computex in Taiwan June 4th. Will feature <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/qualcomm-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:969:1" rel="noopener">Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US)</a> Snapdragon processors.</li>
<li>Asus confident in an PC upgrade cycle and has guided for sales to rise and margins to expand in the coming quarters. We maintain our Structural Long rating for Asus.</li>
</ul>


Asus's 1Q24 earnings beat consensus by 46% thanks to major increase in operating margin driven by costs optimization. Adjusted Asus brand Op profit rose 227% YoY and 98% QoQ.
Asus will host a major AI PC launch event May 21st, with additional AI PCs launched at Computex in Taiwan June 4th. Will feature Qualcomm Inc (QCOM US) Snapdragon processors.
Asus confident in an PC upgrade cycle and has guided for sales to rise and margins to expand in the coming quarters. We maintain our Structural Long rating for Asus.


Asustek: Margin Beat, Guides More Upside; Qualcomm for AI PCs; Why Asus Confident in AI PC Up-Cycle

Himax Technologies Inc Adr / Equity Bottom-Up

Himax Technologies, Inc. designs and manufactures integrated circuits.  The Company produces liquid crystal displays (LCD).

<ul>
<li>Automotive display driver IC leader Himax reported 1Q24 results last week that were ahead of guidance. The company also guided for rising margins.</li>
<li>Management believes 1Q24 represents a cyclical bottom for the company's financial performance and expects automotive demand to rise in 2H24E.</li>
<li>Himax rallied but remains 55% below its 2021 highs, yet its market opportunity larger than ever. Himax could be benefitting from different positioning within automotive chips than NXP &amp; Infineon.</li>
</ul>


Automotive display driver IC leader Himax reported 1Q24 results last week that were ahead of guidance. The company also guided for rising margins.
Management believes 1Q24 represents a cyclical bottom for the company's financial performance and expects automotive demand to rise in 2H24E.
Himax rallied but remains 55% below its 2021 highs, yet its market opportunity larger than ever. Himax could be benefitting from different positioning within automotive chips than NXP &amp; Infineon.


Himax: Signs of Automotive Demand Rebound; Why Demand Strength Is Different Than NXP and Infineon

20 years of experience researching capital markets in Asia and the USA.