Vishay Intertechnology(VSH) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the second quarter increased by 7% sequentially to $762 million, aligning with guidance, driven by growth in both semiconductors and passive components [7][22] - Gross profit was $149 million, resulting in a gross margin of 19.5%, at the high end of guidance, primarily due to increased volume [24] - Book to bill ratio was positive at 1.02, marking the third consecutive quarter above one, with a backlog of $1.2 billion [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive revenue rose by 4% due to improved demand from tier one customers and new ADAS programs [11] - Industrial segment revenue increased by 9%, driven by normalization of inventories and demand for smart grid infrastructure [12] - Aerospace defense revenue grew by 5%, while medical end markets saw a 4% increase, reflecting stronger demand [15][16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in Asia grew by 12%, driven by AI power requirements and smart grid projects, while The Americas saw a 7% increase due to improved automotive and industrial demand [20] - Distribution revenue grew by 11%, contributing significantly to total revenue growth, while OEM revenue remained flat [18][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capacity expansion under the Vishay 3.0 initiative, with approximately $775 million invested over the past two and a half years [9][10] - Strategic initiatives include strengthening customer relationships, expanding product portfolios, and advancing silicon carbide technology [10][41] - The company plans to invest between $300 million to $350 million in 2025, with a significant portion allocated to high-growth product lines [37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the inventory correction cycle is largely behind, with normalized inventory levels for passives and some excess in semiconductors [7] - Positive demand momentum is expected to continue, particularly in smart grid infrastructure and AI applications, with a stronger second half of the year anticipated [45][46] - The company is preparing for a market upturn, with increased backlog and capacity readiness to meet customer demand [45][46] Other Important Information - The company reported a negative free cash flow of $73 million for the quarter, attributed to capacity expansion investments and tax payments [31][32] - The effective tax rate is not meaningful at low levels of pre-tax income, with expectations for normalization as profitability returns [27][35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of Newport fab on gross margin - The Newport fab had a lower than expected impact on gross margin in Q2, with guidance for Q3 indicating a range of 160 to 185 basis points [49][50] Question: MOSFET gross margins decline - MOSFET gross margins declined due to manufacturing inefficiencies, which are expected to improve in Q3 with increased IC sales [51][52] Question: US tariff impact - Less than 4% of products are manufactured in China and returned to the US, indicating a minimal impact from tariffs on overall revenue [55] Question: Inorganic growth and M&A opportunities - The company is actively looking for M&A opportunities, particularly in the semiconductor sector, to enhance customer presence and fill portfolio gaps [56][58] Question: Visibility and backlog for Q3 - The company is seeing a faster building of backlog and anticipates a stronger second half of the year compared to the first half [64][65] Question: Customer demand and inventory management - Customers are still cautious in planning demand, with a significant portion of orders for quick delivery, indicating a transition from an inventory-heavy market [67][68] Question: AI customer expansion and revenue metrics - The customer count for AI applications is growing, with a focus on expanding the part count and customer diversity [72][73] Question: Slipping customer programs - Adjustments in customer programs were due to design changes, impacting planned orders [76][77]