Aehr Test(US:AEHR) The Motley Foolยท2025-07-12 22:43Core Insights - Aehr Test Systems experienced significant stock volatility in 2025, with a 22.2% decline in the first half, following a 56% drop in the first quarter and a subsequent 77.4% rise in the last quarter of the half-year [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company's financial year ends on May 30, and for the fiscal year 2024, the silicon carbide (SiC) wafer-level burn-in (WLBI) market accounted for 90% of its sales [2]. - In fiscal year 2025, SiC WLBI revenue dropped to less than 40% of total revenue, indicating a significant shift in the company's revenue sources [4]. Market Dynamics - ON Semiconductor, a key customer, has faced a sales slowdown, reflecting a broader downturn in the SiC market, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, influenced by high interest rates and a correction from previous EV spending booms [3]. - The weakening EV market negatively impacted Aehr's growth prospects in the SiC WLBI market during the first three months of fiscal 2025 [4]. Strategic Developments - A turnaround in Aehr's stock occurred after the third-quarter earnings report in April, where management announced plans to expand into new markets, projecting that 35% of revenue would come from the artificial intelligence (AI) processor burn-in market [5]. - The company has secured four customers contributing over 10% of revenue, with three of these being in new markets, including gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor supply for the automotive sector [5]. Customer Base and Future Outlook - Aehr has identified a major hyperscaler as a first production AI customer in the packaged part burn-in (PPBI) market, with notable customers including Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, ON Semiconductor, and Infineon [7]. - Management believes that AI end markets could be 3 to 5 times larger than traditional SiC markets, which is driving optimism and strength in the current stock price [8].