Micron Technology(US:MU)2025-09-23 23:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a gross margin above 50%, the highest since mid-fiscal 2022, with DRAM margins also higher than that period [42][44] - The operating margin is the highest since November 2018, indicating improved market conditions and pricing [42][44] - CapEx guidance increased from $13.8 billion in 2025 to approximately $18 billion in 2026, primarily for DRAM construction and equipment [13][14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The NAND business is expected to improve due to increased demand from hyperscalers for AI server deployments, despite a current decrease in bits [8][9] - The company is focusing on data center SSDs, having exited the managed NAND segment to concentrate resources on higher ROI areas [11][85] - HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) is expected to gain market share, with aspirations to exceed previous levels due to strong product performance [17][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The demand for NAND SSDs in data centers is projected to increase significantly in calendar 2026, driven by shortages in HDDs [8][9] - The DRAM market is currently tight, with expectations for further tightening in 2026 due to robust demand and limited supply growth [40][44] - The average capacities for SSDs in AI servers are expected to escalate rapidly, with new high-capacity drives being introduced [55][57] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its strong position in the data center SSD market and has announced new product launches to enhance its competitive edge [9][24] - There is a strategic focus on high-value segments such as HBM and high-capacity DIMMs, which are expected to drive significant revenue growth [65][66] - The company is being thoughtful about long-term agreements with customers, considering the evolving landscape and potential tariff impacts [82][83] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about improving NAND industry conditions and the tightness in the DRAM market, which is expected to enhance pricing and margins [9][40] - The company anticipates that the HBM business will continue to provide high ROI due to its unique product capabilities and customer demand [20][49] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to the evolving AI market and the need for diverse memory solutions to meet various workloads [72][73] Other Important Information - The company is ramping up its one-gamma DRAM production, which is expected to be a significant contributor to bit growth in fiscal 2026 [47][48] - The company has achieved significant improvements in HBM3E yields and is well-positioned for the HBM4 market [61][62] - The exit from the managed NAND segment is part of a broader strategy to focus on areas with higher profitability potential [85][86] Q&A Session Summary Question: Current state of the NAND industry and pricing outlook - Management indicated that the current quarter's bit decrease is noise and that demand from hyperscalers will drive future growth in NAND [8][9] Question: CapEx guidance clarification - The company confirmed that the increase in CapEx is primarily for DRAM construction and equipment, with minimal additional NAND spending [13][14] Question: HBM market share aspirations - Management expects to gain higher market share in HBM compared to previous years, driven by strong product performance and customer demand [17][24] Question: DRAM and HBM margin comparisons - Management stated that while HBM margins are stable, the overall DRAM portfolio is expected to tighten and improve margins as demand increases [40][49] Question: Long-term agreements with customers - The company is exploring long-term agreements but is cautious about pricing and value creation in light of market changes [82][83] Question: Impact of exiting managed NAND on DRAM sales - Management reassured that exiting managed NAND would not negatively impact DRAM sales, maintaining strong relationships with customers [88][89]