Here's Why I'm Staying Away from Super Micro Stock

Company Overview - Super Micro Computer (SMCI) regained compliance with Nasdaq by filing outstanding financial reports after a delay due to internal control issues [1] - The company reported a significant reduction in its fiscal third-quarter revenue outlook, now expecting $4.5 billion to $4.6 billion, down from $5 billion to $6 billion [2] - Adjusted earnings per share guidance was also lowered to $0.29 to $0.31 from a previous range of $0.46 to $0.62 [2] Revenue and Margin Challenges - Customer delays in purchasing decisions contributed to the revenue shortfall, pushing some sales into the fourth quarter [3] - Gross margin is expected to decline by approximately 220 basis points in the third quarter compared to the second quarter, driven by higher inventory reserves and costs related to expediting new products [4] Market Dynamics - Despite the challenges, Supermicro claims robust design wins for newer products, although no specific numbers were provided [5] - The AI infrastructure market may be experiencing a cooling demand, with reports of oversupply in China and questions about the necessity of AI computing capacity [9] - Major companies like Microsoft and Amazon are reportedly pulling back on some data center leases, indicating a cautious approach to spending despite ongoing expansions [10] Stock Performance and Valuation - Supermicro's stock has declined approximately 74% since early 2024, with a market capitalization around $18 billion, resulting in a price-to-sales ratio below 1 based on fiscal 2025 sales estimates [8] - The pessimistic outlook for the stock may be justified given the steep guidance cuts and signs of cooling demand for AI infrastructure [9][11] - The stock could be considered a bargain if demand for AI servers continues to rise, but further declines may occur if sales contract [12]