After AI Hyperscaler Deal, Is Aehr Test Systems Stock on Sale?

Core Viewpoint - Aehr Test Systems experienced a significant stock drop following its latest earnings report, despite beating revenue and earnings estimates. The lack of guidance for future performance, primarily due to tariff uncertainties, has disappointed investors [2][3]. Financial Performance - Aehr reported fiscal Q1 2026 revenues of $11 million, a 16% decrease from $13.1 million year-over-year, but slightly above Wall Street's estimate of $10.8 million [2]. - The company posted adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 1 cent, matching analysts' expectations [2]. Guidance and Market Reaction - The absence of guidance for the next quarter or full fiscal year was a key disappointment for the market, attributed to tariff-related uncertainties affecting 63% of revenues from Asian customers [3]. - The U.S. and China have postponed the implementation of significant tariffs until November 10, allowing for negotiations, which adds to the uncertainty [3]. Orders and Backlog - Aehr's hyperscaler orders did not significantly impact its bookings or backlog, which were reported at $11.4 million and $15.5 million, respectively, showing only slight improvements from the previous quarter [4]. - The market expected a more substantial increase in these figures following the announcement of new orders [4]. AI Market Position - The company is still in the early stages of capitalizing on AI growth, with AI sales representing 40% of total sales last year, up from 0% the previous year [5]. - Despite the decline in other markets, Aehr believes its AI opportunity is three to five times larger than its silicon carbide opportunity, indicating potential for long-term growth [5]. Valuation Metrics - Aehr's price-to-sales (P/S) ratio was nearly 17x prior to the earnings release, making it one of the highest among U.S. chip stocks with revenues over $50 million [6]. - Following the earnings report, the P/S ratio dropped to approximately 14x, still considered high compared to many peers [7]. Investment Outlook - Aehr's value proposition remains compelling, focusing on cost savings for customers by testing chips for failures before deployment [7]. - The company is viewed as one to watch closely, with potential for significant growth if it can gain traction in the AI market [7].