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Is ARM Stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell After Stellar Q3 Earnings?
ZACKS· 2026-02-06 19:30
Core Insights - Arm Holdings (ARM) reported adjusted earnings of 43 cents per share for Q3 fiscal 2026, exceeding estimates by 4.9% and increasing 7.5% year over year, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of earnings beats [2][5] - Revenues rose 26.4% year over year to $1.24 billion, slightly above market expectations, indicating sustained operating momentum [2][5] - Following the earnings report, ARM shares increased by 16%, reflecting investor confidence in the company's earnings durability and forward visibility [4][6] Financial Performance - ARM's adjusted EPS increased by 7.5% year over year, supported by strong execution [5] - Revenue growth of 26.4% to $1.24 billion signals sustained demand from advertisers and developers [8] - Operating margins declined due to strategic reinvestment, with GAAP operating margin at 14.9% (down from 17.8%) and non-GAAP operating margin at 40.7% (down from 45.0%) [10] Strategic Outlook - Management's guidance suggests continued revenue expansion and stable earnings performance, driven by sustained advertiser engagement and improved ad optimization [6] - The post-earnings price behavior indicates ARM is increasingly viewed as a mature, earnings-driven advertising platform rather than a purely growth-driven entity [7] - The company's focus on long-term earnings durability over short-term margin maximization is evident in its reinvestment strategy [12] Market Position - ARM's revenue exceeding $1 billion reinforces its scale, indicating that growth is no longer purely cyclical or experimental [8] - The company demonstrates effective cost management and improved monetization efficiency, appealing to investors focused on quality growth [9] - The current market response suggests a balanced risk-reward profile, with a Hold stance being appropriate as investors await clearer signals on margin normalization [13]