Weird: Why Are SMCI Margins So Low?

Core Viewpoint - Super Micro Computer (SMCI) stock has surged over 33% in two trading days due to an analyst upgrade and a $20 billion partnership with DataVolt, but the company faces critical issues with low and declining margins [1][2]. Financial Performance - As of Q3 FY'25, Super Micro's gross margin is 9.6%, down from 11.8% in Q2 FY'25 and 15.5% in Q3 FY'24, while net margins are under 3%, significantly lower than industry peers like HP Enterprise and Nvidia [2]. - Diluted EPS for Super Micro declined to $0.17 in Q3 FY'25, down from $0.51 in the previous quarter and $0.66 a year ago [2]. Revenue Growth vs. Margin Compression - Revenue increased by 19.4% year-over-year last quarter, with projections of over 45% growth this fiscal year and another 35% next year, but low margins may hinder meaningful earnings gains [3]. - If margins remain low, Super Micro risks scaling a low-margin business that could be challenging to manage without creating shareholder value [3]. Technological Advancements - Super Micro has successfully implemented liquid cooling technology at scale, overcoming reliability concerns, which may provide a competitive edge in the AI hardware market despite higher upfront costs and margin pressures [4]. Corporate Governance and Controversies - The company has faced controversies, including allegations of accounting irregularities and scrutiny from short-sellers, which may necessitate cautious investment approaches despite recent improvements in financial filings [5].