Some are excited about the economic benefits of TSMC’s arrival in Japan. But for others, it is “more trouble than it’s worth”, says one carrot farmer in Kikuyo https://t.co/QezldjfVg7 ...

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus is on the Greater China Semiconductors industry, particularly in the context of AI supply chain updates and investment opportunities in the semiconductor sector [1][3]. Core Insights - The industry view has been upgraded to "Attractive" for the second half of 2025, with a strong preference for AI-related semiconductors over non-AI counterparts [1][3]. - Concerns regarding semiconductor tariffs and foreign exchange impacts are diminishing, leading to expectations of further sector re-rating [1][3]. - Key investment themes for 2026 are being previewed, indicating a proactive approach to future opportunities [1][3]. Investment Recommendations - Top picks in the AI semiconductor space include TSMC, Winbond, Alchip, Aspeed, MediaTek, KYEC, ASE, FOCI, Himax, and ASMPT [5]. - Non-AI recommendations include Novatek, OmniVision, Realtek, NAURA Tech, AMEC, ACMR, Silergy, SG Micro, SICC, and Yangjie [5]. - Companies like UMC, ASMedia, Nanya Tech, Vanguard, WIN Semi, and Macronix are rated as equal weight or underweight [5]. Market Dynamics - AI cannibalization may affect the recovery in the second half of 2025 due to tariff costs, but a decline in semiconductor inventory days historically signals positive stock price appreciation [5]. - The introduction of DeepSeek technology is expected to drive demand for AI inference, although there are concerns about the sufficiency of domestic GPU supply [5]. - The ramp-up of China’s fab supply is contributing to a prolonged downcycle in mature node foundry and niche memory sectors [5]. Long-term Demand Drivers - The demand for AI semiconductors is expected to accelerate due to generative AI applications spreading across various verticals [5]. - Price elasticity in technology products is anticipated to stimulate demand, indicating a potential for growth in the sector [5]. Valuation Insights - A detailed valuation comparison across various semiconductor segments, including foundry, back-end, memory, and integrated device manufacturers (IDM), is provided, highlighting key metrics such as P/E ratios, EPS growth, and return on equity [6][7]. - TSMC is projected to have AI semiconductors account for approximately 34% of its revenue by 2027 [26]. Foreign Exchange Impact - The appreciation of the TWD against the USD could negatively impact gross margins and operating profit margins for companies like TSMC, with a 1% appreciation translating to a 40 basis points downside in gross margin [34]. - Despite these concerns, the overall structural profitability of TSMC is not expected to be significantly affected [34]. Additional Considerations - The conference highlighted the importance of memory stock prices as leading indicators for logic semiconductors, reinforcing the attractive industry view on Greater China semiconductors [22]. - The forecast for the top six companies' capital expenditures is expected to grow by 62% year-over-year, reaching RMB 373 billion [39]. This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state and future outlook of the Greater China semiconductor industry.

Summary of Earnings Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call focuses on the Asia Pacific Emerging Markets (APxJ/EM) equity strategy, particularly highlighting earnings results for the June quarter of 2025 - Key markets discussed include Japan, China, and EEMEA, with a notable emphasis on the performance of various sectors within these regions Key Points and Arguments 1. **Earnings Performance**: - June quarter results have shown improvement, especially in Japan and China, with 13-17% of companies reporting 'beat/raise' results [1][2] - Overall, APxJ/EM saw a net 4 percentage point (ppt) of results beating consensus, while 5 ppt of companies are expected to see 12-month consensus lowered [2][16] 2. **Market Revisions**: - Japan, China, and EEMEA are flagged for consensus upgrades, while other markets are expected to show downgrades [3] - Aggregate earnings estimate revisions across APAC/EM remain negative, but improvements are noted, particularly in MSCI China, which has turned positive for the first time since mid-2021 [5] 3. **Sector Performance**: - Financials, Energy, and Communication Services reported the strongest results/guidance versus consensus, while Staples, Discretionary, IT, and Materials lagged [3][15] - In Japan, sectors such as Real Estate, Financials, and Health Care showed strong results, while Information Technology faced downgrades [24][26] 4. **Earnings Guidance**: - Analysts expect 6% and 8% growth for MSCI EM in 2025 and 2026, respectively, while Japan is projected to grow by 1% and 5% [5] - Japanese companies have seen a net 15 ppt of results above consensus, with 42% above and 26% below expectations [24] 5. **Stock Surprise Screens**: - Four surprise stock screens were highlighted: 1. Best on ground: beat + raise, OW-rated 2. Tough conditions: miss + lower, UW/EW-rated 3. Short squeeze potential: highly shorted stocks seeing upgrades 4. Profit-taking risk: high short-term momentum stocks facing downgrades [4][29] 6. **Regional Insights**: - China showed a net 13% beat with 47% of results above expectations, while Taiwan faced a negative pattern with a net -26% revision [18][20] - EEMEA and Japan exhibited the strongest results patterns, contrasting with weaker performances in Taiwan, India, and Latin America [18][23] Additional Important Insights - Analysts have published a total of 943 Reaction to Earnings reports for the quarter, indicating a structured approach to assessing earnings results [16] - The conference call emphasized the importance of understanding sector-specific dynamics and regional performance to identify potential investment opportunities and risks [12][15] - The data covers reports published from May 22 to August 21, 2025, providing a comprehensive view of the earnings landscape during this period [9][28]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call primarily discusses the **AI Supply Chain** and **semiconductor industry**, focusing on **NVIDIA** and its H20 chip dynamics, as well as developments in AI factory economics and smartphone technology from **Google**. Key Insights on NVIDIA and H20 Chip - **NVIDIA's H20 Chip Production**: NVIDIA is considering halting H20 chip production due to China's restrictions on purchases. The CEO confirmed that NVIDIA has received US government approval to resume sales of the H20 chip, despite security concerns raised by China [2][9]. - **Market Dynamics**: Joe Moore's report indicates that NVIDIA's guidance for October does not include revenue from China GPUs, forecasting a total of **US$52.5 billion**. However, there is potential upside as some analysts predict revenues could reach **US$55 billion** [2][8]. - **Chinese Market Interest**: Despite the challenges, there is emerging interest from Chinese customers in NVIDIA's B40 chip, with a forecast of **2 million units** demand this year and **5 million units** next year [2]. AI Factory Economics - **Token Output Analysis**: The analysis of a **100MW AI Factory** suggests potential annual profits at different token price points. At **US$0.2 per million tokens**, the factory could generate approximately **US$1.16 billion** in revenue and **US$608 million** in profit, while at **US$0.3**, revenue could rise to **US$1.74 billion** with profits of **US$1.19 billion** [34][48]. - **Performance of AI Processors**: The report highlights that NVIDIA's GB200 NVL72 pod continues to outperform competitors in terms of computing power and networking capabilities [45]. The analysis also includes performance estimates for AMD's MI300X and MI355X platforms, noting improvements in networking bandwidth [29][30]. Google Pixel 10 Launch - **New Smartphone Features**: Google launched the **Pixel 10**, featuring the **Tensor G5 chip** manufactured by TSMC's **3nm process**. The phone includes advanced AI capabilities such as real-time translation and enhanced camera features [4][16]. - **Market Impact**: The introduction of the Pixel 10 is expected to influence the smartphone market in China, potentially triggering a replacement cycle in **2026** [4][16]. AI Demand and Token Processing - **Growing AI Inference Demand**: Monthly token processing by major cloud service providers (CSPs) indicates a significant increase in AI inference demand, with China's token consumption reaching **30 trillion daily** by June 2025, a **300x increase** from early 2024 [11]. - **CSP Performance**: Google processed over **980 trillion tokens** in July 2025, doubling from **480 trillion** in May 2025, indicating robust growth in AI applications [11]. Additional Considerations - **Supply Chain Management**: NVIDIA's management emphasized their ongoing efforts to adapt their supply chain to current market conditions, particularly in light of the uncertainties surrounding the Chinese market [2][9]. - **Profitability of AI Inference**: The analysis concludes that AI inference remains a highly profitable business, with all processors analyzed capable of generating positive profits under the current pricing assumptions [44]. Conclusion - The conference call provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of the AI semiconductor industry, highlighting NVIDIA's strategic challenges and opportunities, the economic potential of AI factories, and the impact of new product launches from Google. The insights suggest a cautiously optimistic outlook for the sector, driven by increasing demand for AI capabilities and innovative technologies.

Donald Trump’s attempts to entice and bully TSMC to manufacture more chips outside Taiwan happen to align with the company’s thinking.But going global is still a big risk https://t.co/OZffXNH0c1 ...

Core Viewpoint - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is positioned as a strong investment opportunity in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, supported by significant investments and growth prospects [1][12]. Company Overview - TSMC is a leading chip manufacturer and operates the world's premier chip foundry business, serving major clients like Nvidia and Apple [5]. - The company is experiencing rapid growth, driven by key trends in AI, with no signs of slowing down [5]. Investment Activity - Notable investors, such as Stanley Druckenmiller, have increased their stakes in TSMC, indicating a bullish outlook on the company's future [2][12]. Growth and Capacity Expansion - TSMC is investing $165 billion in the U.S. to establish its Arizona chip factory, which will enhance supply chain reliability and help clients avoid tariffs [7]. - The company is committed to continuous innovation, with advancements in chip technology, including the upcoming launch of 2nm chips [8]. Market Positioning - TSMC's stock is trading at nearly 25 times forward earnings, comparable to the S&P 500's 24.1 times forward earnings, indicating it is fairly priced [9]. - The company is well-positioned to benefit from increasing capital expenditures in data centers, particularly as AI hyperscalers plan for growth in 2026 [10]. Conclusion - Overall, TSMC remains a top investment pick in the AI sector, with strong support from recent purchases by prominent hedge fund managers, suggesting continued growth potential [12].

CHIPS Act and Semiconductor Industry Objectives - The CHIPS Act aims to incentivize domestic semiconductor manufacturing by closing the cost gap with countries like Taiwan and Korea [3] - The core objective is to bolster national security by reducing reliance on foreign chip manufacturers [5][10] - A stable, long-term industrial policy is crucial due to the significant investment (e g, $25 billion for a leading-edge fab) and long construction timelines (3-5 years) involved in semiconductor manufacturing [8] Equity Stakes vs Grants - Providing equity as an incentive differs from grants, as companies can typically raise equity in private markets [4] - Concerns exist that equity stakes may attract companies primarily seeking liquidity rather than enhancing competitiveness [12] - Grants are designed to make companies cost-competitive with international manufacturers [11] Government's Role and Potential Risks - The government's role is to take calculated risks to support the semiconductor industry [20] - There's a need to protect taxpayer dollars through structured awards tied to milestones [19][20] - The government should focus on the demand side to help companies like Intel fill their fabs [21] - Pressuring private enterprises to purchase domestically produced chips raises complex questions [22] Industrial Policy Toolkit - Tariffs, grants, tax credits, and loans are all tools in the industrial policy toolkit [7] - The current administration has increased the tax credit for CHIPS investment [7] - A diversified investment portfolio across companies like Micron, Samsung, TSMC, and Intel is essential [19]

TSMC has fared exceptionally well at home, growing into a giant of the global tech industry. But expanding abroad is a geopolitical risk for the Taiwanese firm https://t.co/2U0jrUVp8r ...

>> THIS IS "HORIZONS MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA." OUR TOP STORIES THIS MORNING. MARKETS REMAIN IN WAIT AND SEE MODE AS CENTRAL BANKERS GATHERED IN JACKSON HOLE WITH INVESTORS AWAITING REMARKS FROM FED CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL. FED GOVERNOR LISA COOK SAYS SHE WILL NOT BE BULLIED INTO STEPPING DOWN AS PRESIDENT TRUMP DEMANDS HER RESIGNATION OVER ALLEGATIONS OF MORTGAGE FRAUD.AND ISRAEL IS DOUBLING ITS ARMY RESERVISTS IN THE WAR AGAINST HAMAS IN GAZA, A SIGN THAT PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR A STEPPED-UP OFFENSIVE DE ...

Company Overview - Khaveen Investments is a global investment advisory firm serving high-net-worth individuals, corporations, associations, and institutions [1] - The firm offers a range of services including market and security research, business valuation, and wealth management [1] Investment Strategy - The flagship Macroquantamental Hedge Fund maintains a diversified portfolio with exposure to hundreds of investments across various asset classes, geographies, sectors, and industries [1] - The investment approach integrates top-down and bottom-up analysis, blending three core strategies: global macro, fundamental, and quantitative [1] Core Expertise - The firm specializes in disruptive technologies that are transforming modern industries, including Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, 5G, Autonomous and Electric Vehicles, FinTech, Augmented and Virtual Reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT) [1]