Core Viewpoint - SanDisk's shares are trading lower despite positive fourth-quarter financial results, primarily due to analyst concerns over weaker third-quarter margin forecasts [1][2]. Financial Performance - SanDisk reported second-quarter revenue of $1.90 billion, exceeding Goldman Sachs' forecast of $1.84 billion and the Street's estimate of $1.80 billion [3]. - The company guided third-quarter revenue to $2.15 billion at the midpoint, surpassing Goldman Sachs' $2.09 billion and the Street's $2 billion [4]. Margin Guidance - Gross margins for the second quarter were reported at 26.4%, aligning with Goldman Sachs' expectations but above consensus [3]. - For the third quarter, SanDisk projected a gross margin of 29%, which is below Goldman Sachs' estimate of 29.6% and significantly under the Street's 31.2% [4]. Earnings Per Share (EPS) - Adjusted EPS for the second quarter was 29 cents, beating Goldman Sachs' estimate of 12 cents and the Street's 5 cents [4]. - EPS guidance for the third quarter is set between 70 cents to 90 cents, with a midpoint of 80 cents, which falls short of Goldman Sachs' estimate of $1.16 and the Street's 95 cents [4]. Analyst Outlook - Analysts from Wells Fargo, Cantor Fitzgerald, and Goldman Sachs have raised their price targets for SanDisk, with Goldman Sachs maintaining a Buy rating and a target of $55 [2]. - Despite the positive revenue outlook, analysts express concerns over the company's gross margin guidance, attributing it to ongoing fab startup costs and underutilization charges [5]. Market Conditions - The NAND market is expected to be about 5% undersupplied by late 2025, which could lead to significant margin expansion for SanDisk if competitors maintain disciplined supply behavior [5][6]. - SanDisk's stock was down 3.73% at $44.94 at the time of publication, indicating market reaction to the mixed financial outlook [6].
SanDisk Stock Slips As Analysts Sound Alarm On Weak Margin Outlook Despite Strong Quarter