Semtech(SMTC) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1, net sales reached a record $251.1 million, up 22% year over year and above the midpoint of the outlook [20][21] - Adjusted gross margin was 53.5%, up 30 basis points sequentially and up 370 basis points year over year [20] - Adjusted operating income was$ 47.6 million, resulting in an adjusted operating margin of 19%, up 680 basis points year over year [21] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share increased to $0.38, up from$ 0.06 a year ago [22] - Net debt decreased by $14.8 million to$ 396.2 million, with a net leverage ratio below two [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure net sales were $72.8 million, up 5% sequentially and up 30% year over year [7] - Data center net sales were a record$ 51.6 million, up 3% sequentially and up 143% year over year [7] - High-end consumer net sales were $35.4 million, flat sequentially and up 3% year over year [11] - Industrial net sales were$ 142.8 million, down 3% sequentially but up 24% year over year [15] - LoRa enabled solutions net sales were $38.9 million, up 5% sequentially and up 81% year over year [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The data center business is expected to be a sustainable growth driver, particularly due to capital expenditure growth by hyperscalers [8] - The industrial end market is experiencing a broader market recovery, with strong demand for IoT cellular products [17] - The high-end consumer market is expected to see a typical seasonal increase in smartphone unit ramps [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on portfolio optimization, strategic investment in R&D, and driving margin expansion [6] - Management emphasized the importance of operational excellence and disciplined execution to create shareholder value [19] - The company is actively engaging with customers to leverage technology leadership and improve profitability [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged macroeconomic uncertainties impacting the timing of some portfolio optimization initiatives, but remains committed to strategic priorities [67] - The company expects continued growth in the data center business, driven by fiber edge products and incremental opportunities from LPO and CopperEdge [90][92] - Management expressed optimism about the second half of the fiscal year, anticipating strong demand and revenue growth [105] Other Important Information - The company successfully amended its revolving credit facility to increase total borrowing capacity by$ 117.5 million [23] - The connected services business is stable, showcasing the deployment of AI tools for improved network security [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on the cellular module business and margin changes - Management noted that the cellular module business experienced seasonality and a mix shift affecting gross margins, but expects revenue to accelerate in future quarters [30][32] Question: Update on AI connectivity and CopperEdge - Management reported strong engagement with over 20 customers for CopperEdge, with expectations for revenue ramping in Q4 [40][62] Question: Trends in the data center business excluding LPO and ACC - Management indicated that the core data center business is expected to grow, driven by fiber edge products, despite some air pockets in demand [52][54] Question: Expectations for LoRa and new market penetration - Management expects LoRa revenue to stabilize around $30 million to$ 35 million per quarter, with potential for growth in new medical applications [56][58] Question: Seasonality expectations for the second half of the year - Management anticipates typical seasonality for high-end consumer products, while other markets may not show obvious seasonal trends [78][80]