Microchip Customers Still Holding Back On Chip Orders, Rebound Coming In 2026 Says Analyst

Core Insights - Microchip Technology Inc. reported strong third-quarter results, indicating improving demand despite customer caution regarding inventory restocking [1][2] - JP Morgan analyst Harlan Sur maintained an Overweight rating with a price target of $77, reflecting confidence in the company's growth trajectory [1] Financial Performance - Revenue for the September quarter reached $1.14 billion, a 6% increase quarter over quarter, surpassing expectations [4] - Gross margin improved to 56.7%, despite an 11-point negative impact from inventory write-downs and underutilization charges [2][4] - Earnings per share (EPS) also exceeded forecasts, although fourth-quarter guidance was below consensus due to delayed customer restocking [5] Market Dynamics - Bookings showed steady improvement throughout the quarter, with October demand surpassing that of September and August [2] - Customers are currently trimming inventories and delaying restocking until early 2026, but Microchip's strong backlog suggests potential revenue growth in the March quarter and beyond [3] Growth Drivers - The company’s product margins have already exceeded the long-term target of 65%, indicating gradual profitability gains [4] - Microchip's expansion into the data center market is expected to be a significant growth driver starting in 2027, contingent on customer adoption and market share growth [4]