Stockchase Opinions

Patricia Perez-Coutts Taiwan Semiconductor MFG. TSM-N TOP PICK Sep 19, 2022

The demand for chips should continue growing well since there are many uses including automobiles, cloud computing, EV's, internet of things, AI, etc. It has proprietary knowledge in the design of 3 to 5 manometer semiconductor chips. Has a sustainable ROE of 22%. Buy 12, Hold 2, Sell 0 (Analysts’ price target is $126.73)
$78.230

Stock price when the opinion was issued

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BUY
Just announced a build-out in the U.S.

Didn't they say a few years ago they would build a plant in the U.S., but permitting, labour and other factors would make it costs 6x more. Trump is kidding himself that the most strategic Taiwanese company will move their IP of strategic importance to the US. Think about it. A great company and major beneficiary of AI. ETFs drive the valuation. 

BUY

Core holding in his global portfolio. Eaten INTC's lunch. Believes there's at least double-digit (10%) annualized upside over the next 5 years. Earnings will jump significantly this year with Arizona plant coming on stream. Growth over the next 2-3 years will be in the 15-20% annualized range.

Companies like NVDA must use TWM.

BUY

Undisputed leader in leading-edge foundries, and it's been that way for several years. Has anything changed? Now branching out to the US, which gives geographic diversification. This may be costly, but it has pricing power. 

Another reason it's done well is because competitors have done poorly. But INTC is getting its act together, and Samsung will at some point. Down the road (and it may be a long road), there will be some additional competition. But TSM will still be the leader. A staple in most growth portfolios.

BUY
TSM vs. NVDA

His choice in the space. It makes the chips for NVDA and a whole slew of others. It's more diversified. Valuation is cheaper. Much clearer growth path going forward over next few years.

NVDA has fallen, but it's not a cheap stock. Factored into the share price is a huge growth expectation. Just because share price has fallen on a high flyer, that doesn't necessarily make it cheap.

WATCH

Many feel this is am Nvidia proxy, that if NVDA is strong, TSM flies. But this hasn't been true in the last couple quarters. Listen to their call only to get a sense on the semis space.

BUY

All chips flow through this name, no matter who's designing them in the future. Aside from its being in Taiwan, less risk than other chip companies. Growth profile is quite good. Valuation significantly lower than NVDA.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Incredible company, has a huge edge, run incredibly well. Tariffs are the main issue pressuring the stock. Potential for China to take over Taiwan is an overhang. Great time to buy if you can wait it out, as he expects more volatility.

BUY

Offers you what INTC can, but without the risk.

WEAK BUY

Takes about 10 years to build a foundry, and you need access to water. So there goes Texas, Arizona, etc. In Japan, a foundry was rejected because they didn't want to divert water that's needed to grow food. Overhang of geopolitical risk of China invading Taiwan. Only 10% of foundries are in the US.

Great products. Leader. Alternative in Europe is ASML, which he owns. He wouldn't own both. No problems with TSM, but you have to understand geopolitical and cost risks.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 07/24, Up 42%)

Great example of a direct AI beneficiary. World's leading foundry business -- they make all the chips for everyone. Completely dominant via size, scale, and expertise. Though spending billions on building fabs, it extends competitive advantage because no one can compete.

One of the few stocks you can still get at inexpensive valuations, due to Taiwan invasion risk. Concern is not going away, but it's not near term. Smart to offer Trump additional investment, but to be vague on the timeline. Strong demand for US production, but it will come at higher costs of production.