Microchip Q3 Earnings Beat Estimates, Sales Rise Y/Y, Shares Drop

Core Insights - Microchip Technology (MCHP) reported third-quarter fiscal 2026 non-GAAP earnings of 44 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.38% and showing a 120% increase year over year, compared to 20 cents in the same quarter last year [1] - Net sales reached $1.19 billion, a 15.6% year-over-year increase, also surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.08%, with a sequential revenue growth of 4% [1] Financial Performance - The non-GAAP gross margin expanded by 510 basis points year over year to 60.5%, and increased by 379 basis points sequentially, driven by a favorable product mix [7] - The non-GAAP operating margin rose to 28.5% from 20.5% in the year-ago quarter, with a sequential increase of 418 basis points [9] - Cash flow from operating activities was $341.4 million, up from $271.5 million in the previous quarter, while free cash flow increased to $318.9 million from $253.4 million [11] Segment Performance - Sales from Mixed-signal Microcontroller, Analog, and Other segments accounted for 49.5%, 27.2%, and 23.3% of net sales, respectively, with the microcontroller and analog business showing flat sequential growth [3] - Direct sales constituted 53% of total sales, while distribution accounted for 47%, with geographical contributions from the Americas (30.9%), Europe (20.8%), and Asia (48.3%) [6] Future Guidance - For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, Microchip expects net sales of $1.26 billion (+/-$20 million), indicating a 6.2% sequential growth and a 29.8% increase year over year [12] - Non-GAAP earnings are projected to be between 48 cents and 52 cents per share, with a gross margin anticipated between 60.5% and 61.5% [12] Stock Performance - Following the fiscal third-quarter results, Microchip shares decreased by 0.24%, but have increased by 50.4% over the past 12 months, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector, which appreciated by 22% [2]