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

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

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: Premium Fell and Then Rebounded, Now +15.6%; Can Consider Shorting Again</li>
<li>ASE: Falls to +12.3%; Wait for Higher Level Before Considering a New Short Again</li>
<li>ChipMOS: -0.6% Discount; Massing of Short Interest Right Ahead of Earnings</li>
</ul>


TSMC: Premium Fell and Then Rebounded, Now +15.6%; Can Consider Shorting Again
ASE: Falls to +12.3%; Wait for Higher Level Before Considering a New Short Again
ChipMOS: -0.6% Discount; Massing of Short Interest Right Ahead of Earnings


Taiwan Dual-Listings: TSMC Spread Slumps Then Fully Rebounds; Shorts Spiking Ahead of IMOS Results

Novatek Microelectronics Corp / Equity Bottom-Up

Novatek Microelectronics Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets integrated circuits (ICs).  The Company's products are used in telecommunication, computer peripherals, and LCD (liquid crystal display) drivers.

<ul>
<li>Novatek reported 1Q24 results yesterday after the Taiwan close; gross margin came in ahead of guidance and revenue was in-line.</li>
<li>Nevertheless, the company's forward color regarding end market display applications demand in 2Q24 and 2024 was relatively muted.</li>
<li>Given the stock is at all-time highs and up about 25% since early February, we see the stock at risk of selling in the near-term. We rate Novatek as Underperform.</li>
</ul>


Novatek reported 1Q24 results yesterday after the Taiwan close; gross margin came in ahead of guidance and revenue was in-line.
Nevertheless, the company's forward color regarding end market display applications demand in 2Q24 and 2024 was relatively muted.
Given the stock is at all-time highs and up about 25% since early February, we see the stock at risk of selling in the near-term. We rate Novatek as Underperform.


Novatek Seeing Soft Consumer Electronics Demand; Muted Forward Guidance; Shares Appear at Risk

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

Vincent Fernando, CFA
Managing Director, Zero One
• Zero One

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

Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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

Himax reported strong 1Q24 results, with rising margins and potential for growth in automotive demand. Despite a rally, the company is still below...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Dual-Listings: TSMC Spread Slumps Then Fully Rebounds; Shorts Spiking Ahead of IMOS Results

Potential trades to consider in TSMC and CHT. Notable surge in short interest right ahead of IMOS earnings today; with the shorts be proven right?

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Novatek Seeing Soft Consumer Electronics Demand; Muted Forward Guidance; Shares Appear at Risk

Novatek's cautious outlook for future demand and all-time high share price may lead to near-term selling pressure. Limited potential for near-term...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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

​Hon Hai anticipates significant growth in 2024E, especially in AI server market despite material shortages. Traditional server market rebounding,...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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

​Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

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

​Himax reported strong 1Q24 results, with rising margins and potential for growth in automotive demand. Despite a rally, the company is still below...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Taiwan Dual-Listings: TSMC Spread Slumps Then Fully Rebounds; Shorts Spiking Ahead of IMOS Results

Potential trades to consider in TSMC and CHT. Notable surge in short interest right ahead of IMOS earnings today; with the shorts be proven right?

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Novatek Seeing Soft Consumer Electronics Demand; Muted Forward Guidance; Shares Appear at Risk

​Novatek's cautious outlook for future demand and all-time high share price may lead to near-term selling pressure. Limited potential for near-term...

Vincent Fernando, CFA

Hon Hai anticipates significant growth in 2024E, especially in AI server market despite material shortages. Traditional server market rebounding,...

Asus beats earnings expectations by 46% in 1Q24, plans major AI PC launch event with Qualcomm processors, confident in PC upgrade cycle and future...

Himax reported strong 1Q24 results, with rising margins and potential for growth in automotive demand. Despite a rally, the company is still below...

Novatek's cautious outlook for future demand and all-time high share price may lead to near-term selling pressure. Limited potential for near-term...