KLA (KLAC) FY Conference Summary Industry Overview - The conference focused on the wafer equipment (WFE) market, particularly in the semiconductor industry, highlighting KLA's position and growth prospects within this sector [1][3][10]. Key Points and Arguments Growth Drivers - KLA reported a strong growth profile driven by investments in leading-edge technology, particularly in the two-nanometer node and high-performance computing [3][4]. - The WFE market is expected to grow in the mid-single digits, while KLA's service business is projected to grow by approximately 10% [5][7]. - The company has seen a shift towards advanced packaging, which is becoming a significant growth opportunity, particularly due to high-performance computing demands [4][6][19]. Financial Performance - KLA's process control systems revenues have outperformed the WFE market, growing at a 13% CAGR compared to the WFE market's 11% CAGR [10][11]. - The gross margin model is approximately 62.5%, with operating margins targeted between 40-50% [7][8]. - KLA's share of the WFE market has increased from low sixes to nearly 8% [19]. Market Dynamics - The semiconductor industry is experiencing a structural growth in WFE intensity, which is expected to continue due to rising demand and complexity in manufacturing processes [12][13]. - The introduction of EUV technology has revitalized scaling in the industry, leading to increased demand for KLA's process control solutions [14][15]. Future Outlook - KLA anticipates continued growth in 2025, driven by advanced foundry logic, DRAM, and advanced packaging [20][21]. - The company is optimistic about the sustainability of its growth trajectory into 2026, contingent on macroeconomic factors and demand in mobile and PC markets [27][28]. Trade and Tariff Considerations - KLA has assessed a potential tariff impact of approximately 100 basis points but remains confident in its ability to manage this risk through operational adjustments and a robust service business model [30][34]. Technological Advancements - KLA is leveraging AI and GPU-based architectures in its systems to enhance performance and efficiency, particularly in defect detection and process control [40][41][64]. - The company is investing in EUV inspection capabilities to meet future market demands as feature sizes shrink [48][49]. Additional Important Insights - KLA has gained significant market share in the electron beam inspection market, doubling its revenues and increasing its share by 700 basis points [54][55]. - The advanced packaging market has expanded significantly, with KLA's revenues in this segment projected to grow from $500 million to $850 million, reflecting a 70% increase [66][70]. - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the shift from traditional wafer processing to advanced packaging solutions, which presents new market opportunities [73][74]. This summary encapsulates the key insights and projections discussed during the KLA FY Conference, highlighting the company's strategic positioning and growth potential within the semiconductor industry.

Summary of Lam Research (LRCX) FY Conference Call Company Overview - Lam Research is the third largest semiconductor capital equipment company globally, specializing in etch deposition and benefiting from trends in next-generation transistors, memory cells, and advanced packaging [2][6][10]. Industry Insights - Wafer equipment spending has shown a steady increase, with a CAGR of 11% over the past eleven years, compared to 7% for the semiconductor industry. Lam's revenue has outpaced this growth with a 14% CAGR [6][9]. - The company targets $25 billion to $27 billion in revenues by 2028, with a goal of achieving 50% gross margins and 34-35% operating margins [7][10]. Financial Performance - Lam reported the highest gross margin since 2012 and guided for the highest operating margin since the late 1990s [10]. - The company aims for a revenue outlook of 13% per year and an 18% EPS CAGR through 2028 [6][10]. Market Dynamics - The shift from 2D to 3D architectures in semiconductor manufacturing is a significant trend, with Lam positioned to benefit from this transition [11][12]. - The company has diversified its business mix, increasing its foundry logic exposure from 20-30% to over 50% in recent years, anticipating a long-term split of two-thirds foundry logic and one-third memory [13][16]. Technology Migration - Lam is focusing on technology migrations such as gate-all-around and advanced packaging, which are expected to drive significant growth [30][40]. - The NAND upgrade cycle is projected to create a $40 billion upgrade opportunity as customers transition to higher layer counts [52][55]. Customer Engagement and Market Strategy - Despite trade and tariff uncertainties, customer plans have remained stable, with strategic investments continuing in advanced technology areas [19][20]. - Lam's geographic manufacturing strategy allows it to respond effectively to shifts in customer locations, particularly in Asia and the U.S. [21][27]. Operational Efficiencies - The company has improved operational efficiencies, contributing to a consistent increase in gross margins from 45-46% to 49% over the past decade [63][66]. - Lam is undergoing a digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency, expected to yield significant benefits by 2028 [67][69]. Conclusion - Lam Research is well-positioned to capitalize on emerging trends in the semiconductor industry, with a strong focus on technology migration, operational efficiency, and a balanced business mix. The company anticipates continued growth and profitability in the coming years, driven by strategic investments and market dynamics [10][30][36].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record revenues of $119 million for Q1, reflecting a year-over-year increase of over 20% [6] - Gross margin improved to over 52%, contributing to a record operating income of over $37 million, a nearly 30% increase compared to the same period last year [7] - Net income for Q1 was $38.7 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared to $31.3 million, or $0.64 per share in the same quarter last year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue distribution was approximately 45-50% from high-performance computing (HPC) applications and about 20% from other advanced packaging applications [7] - The company sold systems to over 35 different customers during the quarter, indicating a robust and diverse business model [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Geographic revenue split for the quarter was 91% from Asia and 9% from the rest of the world [15] - The company has not seen any material impact from geopolitical issues or tariff policies, as most sales are not targeted at the US market [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The primary growth engine for the upcoming years will be advanced packaging, particularly in HPC supporting AI applications [11] - The company is focused on maintaining competitiveness through technological leadership and has successfully launched two new models, the Eagle G5 and the Hawk, which are expected to account for a significant portion of revenue this year [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong momentum heading into Q2, guiding revenues in the range of $120 million to $123 million, representing approximately 18% year-over-year growth [10] - The company remains in close dialogue with customers to continuously assess and monitor the global business uncertainty [13] Other Important Information - The company generated $23.6 million in cash from operations, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $523 million at the end of the quarter [18] - Inventory levels increased to $141.5 million, primarily due to building inventory for the newly introduced products [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about larger competitors like KLA entering the market - Management stated that they have engaged with KLA and demonstrated that their systems are highly competitive, emphasizing their ability to meet specific market requirements quickly [24] Question: Product positioning in HBM4 and customer preferences - Management indicated that customers typically prefer to buy new equipment rather than upgrade existing tools, and they believe they are well-positioned to meet customer needs with both the Hawk and Eagle models [28] Question: HPC revenue outlook for the full year - Management expects HPC to continue being a strong segment, maintaining a similar revenue range as in Q1 [31] Question: Growth outlook for the back half of the year - Management expressed confidence in solid business for Q3, supported by a healthy backlog and pipeline [36] Question: Update on new products and customer feedback - Management reported positive customer feedback and increased orders for both the Eagle G5 and Hawk, expecting significant revenues from these products [40] Question: Gross margin expectations moving forward - Management anticipates gross margins to remain in the 51-52% range, with improvements expected as new products ramp up [44] Question: Market share in HPC and competitive landscape - Management believes they have maintained or grown market share, particularly in 2D applications, and are well-positioned against competitors [68] Question: Order dynamics and revenue guidance - Management noted some uncertainty in the market but has not experienced material impacts on business operations [73] Question: Inorganic growth opportunities - Management is actively looking for acquisition opportunities but emphasized that organic growth remains a priority [80]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q1 2025 revenues reached $119 million, reflecting a year-over-year increase of over 20% [5] - Gross margin improved to over 52%, contributing to a record operating income of over $37 million, a nearly 30% increase compared to the same period last year [6] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $38.7 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared to $31.3 million, or $0.64 per share in Q1 2024 [15] - Operating margin was 31.5%, compared to 29.9% in Q1 2024 [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue distribution: 45-50% from high-performance computing (HPC) applications, about 20% from other advanced packaging applications, and the remainder from CMOS image sensors, compound semiconductors, and general 2D applications [6] - The company sold systems to over 35 different customers, indicating a robust and diverse business model [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Geographic revenue split for the quarter was 91% from Asia and 9% from the rest of the world [13] - The company has not seen any material impact from geopolitical issues or tariff policies, as most sales are not targeted at the US market [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The primary growth engine for the upcoming years will be advanced packaging, particularly in HPC supporting AI applications [9] - The company is positioned strongly in the advanced packaging market, with a focus on technological leadership and competitiveness [12] - New technologies are expected to drive new tool requirements, particularly with the transition to HBM4 [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while there are uncertainties in the market due to geopolitical issues, they have not experienced delays or order cancellations [8] - The company expects Q2 2025 revenue in the range of $120 million to $123 million, representing approximately 18% year-over-year growth [8] - Management remains optimistic about the growth potential in both HPC and advanced packaging markets [48] Other Important Information - The company generated $23.6 million in cash from operations, with cash and cash equivalents totaling $523 million at the end of the quarter [16] - Inventory levels increased to $141.5 million, primarily due to building inventory for newly introduced products [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about competition from KLA - Management expressed confidence in their competitive position, highlighting their ability to meet specific market requirements faster than larger competitors [21][22] Question: Product positioning for HBM4 - Management indicated that customers typically prefer to buy new equipment rather than upgrade existing tools, and they are well-positioned with both the Hawk and Eagle product lines [25][26] Question: HPC revenue outlook for the full year - Management expects HPC to continue to be a strong segment, maintaining a similar revenue range as seen in Q1 [28] Question: Growth outlook for the back half of the year - Management is optimistic about growth, supported by a healthy backlog and pipeline [32] Question: Update on new products - Management reported positive customer feedback and increased orders for the new products, expecting significant revenue contributions in 2025 [36][37] Question: Gross margin outlook - Management expects gross margins to remain within the 51-52% range, with improvements anticipated as new products ramp up [40] Question: Impact of tariffs on competition - Management does not foresee any competitive advantage from tariffs, as they are monitoring the situation closely [41] Question: Trends in HPC and COAS - Management noted growth in both HPC and COAS markets, with optimism about future demand [45][46] Question: Market share in HPC - Management believes they have maintained or grown their market share, particularly in 2D applications [64] Question: Order dynamics and visibility - Management indicated that while there is some caution in the market, they have not experienced material impacts on business [70]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nova achieved record revenues of $213 million in Q1 2025, reflecting a 50% year-over-year growth and a 10% quarter-over-quarter increase [17][18] - Non-GAAP EPS increased by 56% year-over-year, reaching $2.18 per diluted share, while GAAP EPS was $2.03 per diluted share [19] - Blended gross margins were 57% on a GAAP basis and 59.6% on a non-GAAP basis, within the target range of 57% to 60% [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Significant revenue growth was noted in Gate All Around and Advanced Packaging Solutions, with record sales from the Prism platform and integrated metrology solutions [9][10] - The software business also achieved record performance, driven by strong sales targeting high-value applications [11] - Service revenues grew more than 30% year-over-year, indicating robust demand across various segments [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nova's market share in the thin film and CD metrology segment increased, solidifying its position as the second-largest vendor in this market [6] - Demand for semiconductor manufacturing capacity is driven by AI applications, with stable demand for mature nodes [7][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on operational excellence and adapting to market dynamics, with a strong emphasis on R&D and sales to support future growth [5][19] - Nova completed the acquisition of Centronics, which is expected to significantly contribute to business growth in Q2 2025 [13][20] - The company is committed to sustainability, as highlighted in its 2025 Sustainability Insights Report, which includes updated KPIs and goals [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to outperform in 2025, despite macroeconomic uncertainties and potential impacts from international trade dynamics [16][22] - The company anticipates continued strong demand patterns in Q2 2025, with revenues expected between $210 million and $220 million [22] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate for Q1 2025 was approximately 15%, and operating expenses increased to $59 million on a GAAP basis [19][20] - The company ended Q1 2025 with $812 million in cash and marketable securities, having deployed $20 million in share buybacks [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about where you are in the gate all around ramp? - Management indicated a strong ramp in the first half of the year, with expectations to meet growth plans, though market conditions may affect the second half outlook [26][27] Question: Can you discuss the size of the opportunity between R&D and high volume manufacturing? - Management noted that initial investments are reflecting pilot lines, with expectations for growth as the business transitions to high volume manufacturing [28] Question: Can you elaborate on the moving pieces for gross margin? - Management explained that gross margin should be viewed on an annual basis, with expected impacts from tariffs and product mix affecting Q2 margins [29] Question: Did you see any revenue impact in China from tariffs? - Management confirmed no significant revenue impact in China, with the main tariff impact being on gross margins [34] Question: What is the margin profile of your backlog? - Management stated that the margin profile of the backlog is similar to recent reported margins [50] Question: What is the outlook for the China business going into the second half? - Management expects nominal value from the China business to remain flat or slightly decline, with a good backlog for upcoming quarters [55]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1, revenues were $171.4 million, a decrease of 9.6% from Q4 and an increase of 1.6% year-over-year [16] - Non-GAAP gross margin for Q1 was 39.2%, down from 40.2% in Q4 [18][19] - Non-GAAP EPS for Q1 was $0.23, down from $0.27 in Q4 [23] - GAAP net income for Q1 was $6.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $9.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in Q4 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Probe card segment revenues were $136.5 million in Q1, a decrease of 9.2% from Q4, driven by lower DRAM and Flash revenues [17] - Foundry and Logic revenues increased to $85 million in Q1, a 2.4% increase from Q4, comprising 49.8% of total revenues [17] - DRAM revenues were $48.9 million in Q1, down 22.8% from Q4, representing 28.5% of total revenues [17] - Systems segment revenues were $34.8 million in Q1, a decrease from Q4, but expected to see moderate growth in Q2 [12][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates double-digit sequential revenue growth in Q2, driven by demand from hyperscalers and investments in generative AI [5] - HBM probe card demand is expected to increase due to ongoing shipments for existing HBM3E designs and new HBM4 designs [8][10] - The company has seen a reduction in revenue from China due to tariffs and export controls, validating its decision to divest operations in that region [6][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on diversifying its customer base and product offerings, particularly in HBM and advanced packaging [39] - A recent acquisition of FICT Limited enhances the company's access to multilayer organic substrates, crucial for advanced foundry and logic probe cards [11] - The company aims to achieve a target model of $2 non-GAAP EPS on $850 million of revenue, with a gross margin target of 47% [15][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current geopolitical and tariff environment creates uncertainty, impacting revenue and gross margins [5][6] - The company is taking a cautious approach to capital investments while evaluating the evolving tariff situation [24] - Management expressed optimism about the growth potential in the second half of 2025, particularly in the foundry and logic markets [63] Other Important Information - The company generated free cash flow of $6.3 million in Q1, down from $28.8 million in Q4, primarily due to lower profitability [23] - The company has initiated a new $75 million share repurchase program after fully utilizing the previous program [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on revenue and margins - Management confirmed an estimated mid single-digit million dollar reduction in revenues due to tariffs, particularly affecting multinational customers in China [30][31] Question: Customer dynamics and revenue contributions - Management noted a return of a key customer to the top sales list, indicating increased activity in the client PC space and a focus on regaining competitive position [36][37] Question: DRAM business outlook - All projected growth in DRAM is expected to come from HBM, with steady demand in non-HBM applications [42] Question: Co-package optics and its impact - Management highlighted the potential for co-package optics to drive growth in both systems and probe card businesses, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with customers [65][86] Question: Advanced probe cards for GPUs - The company is making progress in qualifying advanced probe cards for GPUs, with expectations for positive updates in the second half of the year [72][73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - KLA reported revenue of $3,060,000,000 for the March quarter, exceeding the guidance midpoint of $3,000,000,000, with a non-GAAP diluted EPS of $8.41 and GAAP diluted EPS of $8.16 [7][15] - The gross margin was 63%, about 50 basis points higher than the guidance midpoint, driven by a stronger product mix within the Process Control segment [15][21] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $990,000,000, with a total of $3,500,000,000 over the past twelve months, resulting in a free cash flow margin of 30% [13][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - KLA's advanced packaging revenue grew to over $500,000,000 in calendar 2024 and is expected to exceed $850,000,000 in calendar 2025, reflecting strong customer adoption [12] - The services business grew to $669,000,000 in March, marking a 13% year-over-year increase, despite challenges from U.S. Government export controls [12][47] - The Process Control segment maintained a strong global share, with a notable increase in advanced wafer level packaging market share, moving from third position in 2019 to a leading position in 2025 [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - KLA's market share in the WFE and process control markets remained strong, with a 30% year-over-year revenue increase attributed to investments in leading-edge logic and high bandwidth memory [11][19] - The company expects WFE to grow by mid-single digits percentage in 2025, driven by investments in leading-edge foundry and logic, partially offset by lower demand from China [19][24] - KLA's exposure to the Chinese market was approximately 26% in March, with expectations of it being around 30% for the year, despite potential declines due to export controls [56][57] Company Strategy and Development Direction - KLA's strategy focuses on capital return, with a commitment to increasing dividends and share repurchases, announcing a 12% increase in quarterly dividends and a new $5,000,000,000 share repurchase authorization [14][18] - The company aims to leverage its unique product portfolio to support technology transitions and ensure high-volume production, particularly in advanced packaging and AI infrastructure [20][24] - KLA plans to postpone its Investor Day to early to mid-2026, hoping for a more stable macro environment to discuss growth strategies [9][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite macro uncertainties, there has been no change in customer demand or investment plans, indicating confidence in continued growth [8][9] - The company highlighted the importance of AI as a key driver for growth, with increasing complexity in semiconductor design and production [11][62] - Management expressed optimism about the 2026 outlook, citing ongoing investments in AI infrastructure and the need for capacity expansion among customers [61][70] Other Important Information - KLA's balance sheet remains strong, with $4,000,000,000 in cash and cash equivalents, and a debt of $5,900,000,000, supporting growth strategies and capital returns [18] - The company is adapting its product offerings to meet the evolving needs of the advanced packaging market, particularly in high bandwidth memory and hybrid bonding technologies [51][93] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on equipment and systems - Management acknowledged the fluidity of tariff impacts and the potential headwinds on gross margins, particularly in the service business, while emphasizing their ability to manage global manufacturing operations [27][30][34] Question: Growth outlook for services - The services business is expected to grow in the low double digits for the year, slightly below long-term targets due to export control impacts [46][48] Question: Competitive positioning in advanced packaging - KLA has seen significant growth in advanced packaging, particularly in CoAOS, and is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing demand for high bandwidth memory [49][51] Question: Revenue expectations from China - Management expects China to contribute around 30% of revenue for the year, with potential fluctuations due to macroeconomic factors [56][57] Question: Factors influencing gross margin guidance - The increase in gross margin guidance is attributed to product mix improvements and scale benefits from advanced packaging, despite tariff impacts [72][74]

KLA (KLAC) Q3 2025 Earnings Call April 30, 2025 05:00 PM ET Speaker0 Good afternoon. My name is Margot, and I'll be your conference operator today. At this time, I'd like to welcome everyone to the KLA Corporation March Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Conference Call and Webcast. All participants' lines have been placed in a listen only mode to prevent any background noise. After the speakers' remarks, there will be a question and answer Thank you. I will now turn the call over to Kevin Kessel, Vice Pre ...

Company Overview - FormFactor has a global presence with approximately 2,200 employees [6] - The company manufactures over 115 million MEMS probes annually [6] - The company's trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue as of April 30, 2025, was $766 million [6, 7] Financial Performance - In 2024, FormFactor's revenue was $764 million [15] - The company's non-GAAP EPS in 2024 was $1.15 [15] - The non-GAAP gross margin in 2024 was 41.7% [15] - Free cash flow in 2024 was $83 million [15] - Q1 2025 revenue was $171.4 million with a gross margin of 39.2% and EPS of $0.23 [104] - Q2 2025 outlook projects revenue of $190 million +/- $5 million with a gross margin of 40.0% +/- 1.5% and EPS of $0.30 +/- $0.04 [104] Market and Growth - The served available market (SAM) for advanced probe cards and engineering systems is $2.75 billion [82] - The company is targeting $850 million in revenue with a non-GAAP EPS of $2.00 [83] - The advanced probe card market is projected to reach $2.6 billion in 2027 [76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1, revenues were $171.4 million, a decrease of 9.6% from Q4 and an increase of 1.6% year-over-year [16] - Non-GAAP gross margin for Q1 was 39.2%, down from 40.2% in Q4 [18] - Non-GAAP EPS for Q1 was $0.23, down from $0.27 in Q4 [23] - GAAP net income for Q1 was $6.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to $9.7 million, or $0.12 per diluted share in Q4 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Probe card segment revenues were $136.5 million in Q1, a decrease of 9.2% from Q4, driven by lower DRAM and Flash revenues [17] - Foundry and Logic revenues increased by 2.4% to $85 million in Q1, representing 49.8% of total revenues [17] - DRAM revenues were $48.9 million in Q1, down 22.8% from Q4, comprising 28.5% of total revenues [17] - Systems segment revenues were $34.8 million in Q1, a decrease from Q4, but expected to see moderate growth in Q2 [12][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates double-digit sequential revenue growth in Q2, driven by demand from hyperscalers and investments in generative AI [5] - HBM probe card demand is expected to increase due to ongoing shipments for existing HBM3E designs and new HBM4 designs [8] - The company has seen a reduction in revenue from China due to tariffs and export controls, validating its decision to divest operations in that region [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on diversifying its customer base and product offerings, particularly in HBM and advanced packaging [38] - A recent acquisition of FICT Limited enhances the company's access to multilayer organic substrates, crucial for advanced foundry and logic probe cards [11] - The company aims to achieve $2 of non-GAAP EPS on $850 million of revenue, with a target gross margin of 47% [15][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the current geopolitical and tariff environment creates uncertainty, impacting revenue and gross margins [5][6] - The anticipated growth in Q2 is not expected to be driven by tariff-related order acceleration, but rather by genuine demand increases [5] - The company is taking a cautious approach to capital investments in light of evolving geopolitical conditions [24] Other Important Information - The company generated free cash flow of $6.3 million in Q1, down from $28.8 million in Q4, primarily due to lower profitability [23] - A new two-year share repurchase program of $75 million has been approved by the Board of Directors [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of tariffs on revenue and margins - Management confirmed an estimated mid single-digit million dollar reduction in revenues due to tariffs, particularly affecting multinational customers outside free trade zones [29][30] Question: Customer dynamics and revenue contributions - A former top customer has returned to the list, indicating increased activity in the client PC space, which is expected to contribute positively to revenue [36][37] Question: DRAM business outlook - The growth in DRAM revenue is primarily driven by HBM, with expectations for continued strength in HBM3 and new contributions from HBM4 [41][42] Question: Systems sales and demand visibility - While visibility for individual orders is low, there is better long-term visibility for systems demand, particularly related to co-package optics [101]