ANET Rides on Strong Operating Margin Expansion: Will it Persist?

Core Insights - Arista Networks Inc. reported a record non-GAAP operating income of $1.08 billion in Q2, marking the first time it exceeded $1 billion, with an operating margin increase to 48.8% from 46.5% year-over-year [1][8] - The company's business model shows strong momentum, particularly in AI networking, with significant renewals in software and services despite a 13.2% increase in operating expenses [2] - Efficient supply chain and inventory management contributed to an improved gross margin of 65.6%, surpassing the guidance of 63% and up from 65.4% a year ago [3] Financial Performance - Accounts payable days increased to 65 from 49 in the previous quarter, enhancing cash flow and liquidity, allowing for more investment in R&D and marketing [4] - Arista projects an operating margin of 47% for Q3 and 48% for 2025, indicating continued operational strength [4][8] Competitive Landscape - Arista faces competition from Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Cisco Systems, with HPE reporting a non-GAAP operating profit of $777 million, a 0.8% year-over-year increase, while Cisco's non-GAAP operating income rose to $5.03 billion, up 13.3% year-over-year [5][6] Market Performance - Arista's shares have increased by 56.1% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 28.6% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 19.43, which is above the industry average [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Arista's earnings for 2025 has seen an upward revision over the past 60 days, reflecting positive market sentiment [11]