Flex(US:FLEX)2025-07-24 13:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the first quarter was $6.6 billion, an increase of 4% year over year [5][14] - Adjusted operating margin was 6%, with adjusted EPS reaching a record $0.72, reflecting a more than 40% increase [5][14] - Gross profit totaled $596 million, with gross margin improving to 9.1%, up 130 basis points [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Reliability Solutions revenue was $2.9 billion, down 2% year over year, impacted by macro pressures in Automotive and Renewables, but operating income improved to $172 million [15] - Agility Solutions revenue reached $3.7 billion, up 10% year over year, driven by strong cloud and AI demand, with operating income at $240 million [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Americas revenue rose to 49% in fiscal year 2025, up from 38% in fiscal year 2020, while Asia declined to 30%, down from 41% [11] - The company operates over 49 million square feet globally, with significant manufacturing footprints in North America [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on high-growth end markets such as data centers and power, aiming to transform from a contract manufacturer to a strategic end-to-end partner [12][13] - Investments are being made in advanced manufacturing capabilities, including AI and automation, to enhance productivity and meet evolving customer needs [12][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's positioning despite market uncertainties, highlighting a strong start to fiscal year 2026 [12][19] - The updated fiscal year 2026 revenue guidance is between $25.9 billion and $27.1 billion, reflecting an increase in the midpoint by approximately $600 million [21] Other Important Information - Free cash flow for the quarter was $268 million, representing a conversion rate of 98% [16] - The company acquired a new manufacturing site in Poland to double its power capacity in Europe [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Margin outlook for the year - Management maintained a margin guidance of 6% to 6.1%, citing tariff impacts and investments as factors affecting margin performance [27][28] Question: Data center revenue trends - Management confirmed a strong outlook for data center growth, with expectations of 35% year-over-year growth, driven by both cloud and power segments [31][32] Question: Market evolution and internal investments by hyperscalers - Management views the trend of hyperscalers investing in their own capabilities positively, emphasizing the importance of integrated solutions [36][38] Question: Full year guidance context - Management clarified that while Q1 results were strong, the full year guidance reflects a cautious approach and ongoing investments in growth [39][41] Question: Capacity constraints and investments - Management acknowledged capacity constraints but expressed confidence in new investments to meet demand, particularly in AI infrastructure [48][50] Question: Tariff impact on guidance - Management indicated that tariffs are largely pass-through costs and will not materially impact revenue growth rates, though they do affect margin performance [59][61] Question: Segment growth expectations - Management expects automotive and consumer markets to remain weak, while healthcare and industrial sectors are projected to grow [64][66]