Industry Overview - The global server market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.8% from 2024 to 2030, driven by strong adoption across various industries including healthcare, retail, BFSI, manufacturing, and education [1] Super Micro Computer (SMCI) - SMCI's growth is primarily fueled by the increasing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, with a significant rise in data centers and their capacity [3] - The company's next-generation air-cooled and liquid-cooled GPU and AI platforms are contributing over 70% to its revenue in Q4 of fiscal 2025 [4] - SMCI is currently facing challenges such as delayed purchasing decisions from customers and margin contraction due to price competition and inventory write-downs [5][6] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a decline in SMCI's EPS for the first and second quarters of fiscal 2026 by 37% and 5% respectively, with downward revisions for fiscal 2026 and 2027 EPS in the past 60 days [7] Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) - HPE's server business experienced a 16.1% growth in Q3 of fiscal 2025, reaching an all-time high, driven by large AI deals and a significant increase in AI systems revenues to $1.6 billion [8][9] - The company reported a 100% quarter-over-quarter increase in orders for its AI server business, with improved operating margins due to pricing reforms [10] - HPE's newly launched ProLiant Gen 12 server platform enhances performance, security, and cooling technology, strengthening its competitive position [11] - HPE has raised its non-GAAP net earnings per share estimates to $1.88-$1.92, reflecting upward revisions in the consensus estimates for fiscal 2025 and 2026 [12] Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, SMCI shares have increased by 47.6%, while HPE shares have risen by 15.8% [13] - SMCI is trading at a forward 12-month ratio of 0.84X, slightly above its median, while HPE is at 0.83X, also above its median [14] Conclusion - HPE is considered a more compelling investment option due to its strong server portfolio and growth prospects, while SMCI faces near-term challenges related to customer purchasing delays and margin pressures [16] - HPE currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), whereas SMCI has a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold) [17]

Core Insights - Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has outperformed the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry, gaining 15.9% in the past month compared to the industry's 2.8% [1] Group 1: Cloud Offerings and Growth - HPE is experiencing significant growth in its hybrid cloud segment, which grew 14.2% year over year in Q3 of fiscal 2025, driven by the adoption of Alletra MP and the expansion of the GreenLake cloud platform [4][5] - The GreenLake cloud product has added 2,000 new users in Q3 of fiscal 2025, bringing the total to 44,000 customers [5] - HPE's AI Factory private cloud solutions have seen a two-fold increase in private cloud AI customers sequentially in Q3 of fiscal 2025 [7] Group 2: Server Business Performance - HPE's server business grew 5.6% in Q2 of fiscal 2025, with expectations for mid-teens sequential revenue growth in Q3 and low double-digit growth for fiscal 2025 [10] - The AI server business has generated over $1.1 billion in net new order value and has a backlog of $3.2 billion in AI systems as of Q2 of fiscal 2025 [11] - The newly introduced ProLiant Gen 12 server platform enhances performance, security, and cooling technology, strengthening HPE's competitive position in the server market [12] Group 3: Partnerships and Collaborations - HPE is expanding its AI capabilities through partnerships with NVIDIA, Arista Networks, and Microsoft, enhancing its offerings in the AI market [13][14][15] - Collaborations with these companies are contributing positively to HPE's top line and market reach [15] Group 4: Financial Performance and Valuation - HPE's fiscal 2025 earnings estimate has been revised upward to $1.91, reflecting positive market sentiment [16] - HPE trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.81, significantly below the industry's 3.59, indicating a discounted valuation [19] - The current Zacks Rank for HPE is 2 (Buy), suggesting a favorable investment opportunity [21]

Core Insights - Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) server business experienced a growth of 5.6% in Q2 of fiscal 2025, with expectations for mid-teens sequential revenue growth in Q3 and low double-digit growth for the fiscal year, primarily driven by large AI deals and growth in AI systems [1][4]. Company Performance - HPE's AI server business is significantly bolstered by enterprises investing in compute-heavy infrastructure, resulting in over $1.1 billion in net new order value and a backlog of $3.2 billion in AI systems during Q2 of fiscal 2025 [2]. - The introduction of the ProLiant Gen 12 server platform enhances performance, security, and incorporates direct liquid cooling technology, positioning HPE competitively in the server market [3]. - Despite a slowdown in traditional server sales, HPE's growth in AI server sales is offsetting this decline, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for HPE's 2025 revenues at $34.5 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 14.2% [4]. Competitive Landscape - Dell Technologies is leveraging strong demand for AI servers, benefiting from ongoing digital transformation and the adoption of generative AI applications, with consecutive growth in server adoption for five quarters in AI servers and six quarters in traditional servers [5]. - Super Micro Computer is also experiencing significant growth due to the increasing demand for high-performance, energy-efficient servers as data centers expand and new ones are established [6]. - The overall growth in server-supported data center business is anticipated to rise, providing ample opportunities for HPE, Dell, and Super Micro Computer [7]. Valuation and Estimates - HPE's shares have increased by 5.7% year to date, compared to a 25.4% growth in the Zacks Computer - Integrated Systems industry [8]. - HPE trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.76, significantly lower than the industry's ratio of 3.46 [10]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HPE's fiscal 2025 earnings is $1.89 per share, indicating a 5% decrease year-over-year, while the estimate for fiscal 2026 is $2.39 per share, reflecting a 26.5% increase year-over-year [11].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q1 revenue of $7.9 billion, representing a 17% year-over-year growth, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of accelerated revenue growth [36][38] - Non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share were 49 cents, consistent with the company's outlook range [41] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 29.4%, down 680 basis points year-over-year, primarily due to a higher mix of server revenue and lower contributions from Intelligent Edge [39] - Free cash flow was negative $877 million, in line with normal seasonal patterns [54] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Server revenue reached $4.3 billion, up 30% year-over-year, although it fell sequentially due to the timing of AI systems deals [42] - Intelligent Edge revenue was $1.1 billion, up 2% quarter-over-quarter but down 4% year-over-year [48] - Hybrid cloud revenue grew 11% year-over-year to $1.4 billion, although it declined 12% sequentially [50] - Financial services generated $873 million in revenue, up 2% year-over-year and flat quarter-over-quarter [53] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced double-digit year-over-year orders growth across all key geographies and products, including campus switching [20] - AI systems revenue was $900 million in Q1, up from about $400 million last year, but down sequentially as expected due to chip availability and customer readiness [44][24] - The AI systems backlog was $3.1 billion, up 29% quarter-over-quarter [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to reduce its employee base by 5% over the next twelve to eighteen months, targeting approximately 2,500 positions to better align its cost structure with its business mix and long-term strategy [16] - The company is committed to closing the Juniper acquisition, which is expected to deliver at least $450 million in gross annual run rate synergies to shareholders within three years [10] - The company aims to leverage its global supply chain to mitigate the impact of recent tariff policies [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged that while Q1 performance met expectations, execution could have been better, particularly in the server segment [13][33] - The company expects continued pressure on server operating margins in the near term but anticipates improvements in the back half of fiscal 2025 [15][34] - Management expressed confidence in achieving revenue growth of 7% to 11% for fiscal 2025, with a significant portion weighted towards the second half [60] Other Important Information - The company is implementing cost-saving measures, targeting discretionary spending, and has reduced non-GAAP operating expenses to a record low of 19% of revenue [40] - The company expects to achieve at least $350 million in gross savings by fiscal 2027, with about 20% of the savings expected by the end of this year [57] Q&A Session Summary Question: How much of the operating profit dollar headwind is from tariff assumptions? - Management indicated that the guidance includes a seven cents impact from tariffs for the year, with four cents expected in Q2, primarily affecting the server business [91][92] Question: What gives confidence in revenue growth and operating margin expansion in the back half of the year? - Management highlighted three critical areas: improved server execution, mitigation of tariffs, and the impact of the cost efficiency program as drivers for profitability [122] Question: How is the customer mix changing? - Management noted a balanced approach targeting both service provider model builders and enterprise customers, with a focus on maintaining a solid pipeline and addressing the needs of various segments [110][112]