KLA(US:KLAC)2025-10-29 22:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - KLA reported revenue of $3.21 billion for the September quarter, exceeding the guidance midpoint of $3.15 billion [8][9] - Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $8.81, while GAAP diluted EPS was $8.47, both above the midpoint of their respective guidance ranges [8][9] - Gross margin improved to 62.5%, 50 basis points above the midpoint of guidance, driven by a stronger product mix and manufacturing efficiencies [9] - Free cash flow reached $3.9 billion with a free cash flow margin of 31% [6] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advanced packaging revenue is expected to exceed $925 million for calendar year 2025, representing a 70% year-over-year increase [5] - Satellite service business revenue grew to $745 million in the September quarter, up 6% sequentially and 16% year over year [5] - Non-GAAP operating margin was reported at 43.2% [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The advanced packaging market is projected to grow more than 20% compared to the previous year [12] - KLA's share of the wafer fab equipment (WFE) market is expected to grow, with the advanced packaging market now estimated at approximately $11 billion [11][12] - China’s contribution to KLA's revenue is expected to decline to the high 20s percentage range due to export controls and normalization [51] Company Strategy and Development Direction - KLA is focusing on capitalizing on the growing demand for advanced packaging and AI infrastructure investments [4][8] - The company aims to outperform the mid to high single-digit growth rate in WFE for 2025, driven by rising process control intensity [12][17] - KLA's strategy includes consistent capital returns and long-term investment to maximize shareholder value [10][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the semiconductor industry's growth in 2026, with expectations for a broader spending profile compared to 2025 [13] - The company anticipates a revenue impact of approximately $300 million to $350 million due to export controls affecting certain customers in China [14] - Management noted constructive customer discussions regarding investments in leading-edge logic and DRAM, indicating a positive outlook for the industry [25][76] Other Important Information - KLA's total capital return in the September quarter was $799 million, including $545 million in share repurchases and $254 million in dividends [6] - The company announced a $5 billion share repurchase authorization and a 12% increase in quarterly dividends [10][11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on WFE growth outlook - Management indicated that the outlook is more about confidence in timing rather than a significant change in growth expectations, with positive signs from leading-edge foundry logic and DRAM investments [25][26] Question: Decline in foundry/logic revenue - The decline is attributed to a reduction in China’s contribution, which was elevated in the previous quarter, while leading-edge and memory segments are expected to uptick [31][32] Question: Gross margin guidance - The guidance down is primarily due to product mix adjustments, with expectations for gross margins to remain stable based on consistent factory output [35][36] Question: Advanced packaging process control intensity - Management clarified that KLA's share of the advanced packaging market is growing, with expectations for continued growth in process control intensity as designs become more complex [39][42] Question: DRAM growth expectations - Management expects DRAM to be a growth area next year, driven by increased capital intensity and customer investments [75][76] Question: Foundry-related revenue opportunities - There is encouragement regarding broader investment discussions with foundry customers, particularly those looking to improve yield and process control [78]