GLOBALFOUNDRIES(GFS) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - GlobalFoundries reported third-quarter revenue of $1.688 billion, flat compared to the prior quarter and a 3% decrease year-over-year [28] - Gross profit for the third quarter was $439 million, translating to a gross margin of approximately 26%, with an expansion of 80 basis points sequentially and 130 basis points year-over-year [31] - Operating profit was $260 million, resulting in an operating margin of 15.4%, which is at the high end of the guidance range and 180 basis points above the prior year period [31] - Net income for the third quarter was $232 million, an increase of approximately 1% from the prior year period, leading to diluted earnings of $0.41 per share [32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Automotive revenue decreased approximately 17% sequentially but increased 20% year-over-year, driven by share and content expansion [29] - Smart mobile devices revenue increased approximately 10% sequentially but decreased approximately 13% year-over-year, primarily due to one-time pricing adjustments [29] - Home and industrial IoT revenue decreased approximately 14% sequentially and 16% year-over-year, mainly due to a reduction in wafer revenue associated with aerospace and defense applications [30] - Communications infrastructure and data center revenue increased approximately 2% sequentially and 32% year-over-year, with expectations for full-year 2025 revenue growth in the low 20% range [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The automotive segment represented approximately 18% of total revenue in the third quarter [22] - Smart mobile devices accounted for approximately 45% of total revenue, while home and industrial IoT represented approximately 15% [24] - Communications infrastructure and data center contributed approximately 10% of total revenue [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - GlobalFoundries is focusing on scaling AI capabilities in data centers and expanding its optical networking market, with an estimated CAGR of approximately 40% through 2030 [8][9] - The company is committed to reshoring semiconductor supply chains to the U.S., with a $16 billion investment to expand U.S. manufacturing capabilities [15][16] - The strategy includes diversifying the business towards high-margin product platforms, with automotive expected to approach $1.5 billion in annual revenue by 2025 [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to capture long-term growth opportunities driven by secular trends in AI and semiconductor demand [18] - The ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges are prompting customers to seek non-China, non-Taiwan supply chains, which GlobalFoundries is well-positioned to support [14][15] - The company anticipates strong demand for its silicon photonics and GaN technologies, with significant growth expected in these areas [10][52] Other Important Information - GlobalFoundries secured nearly 150 new design wins across its end markets in the third quarter, representing more than 50% growth from the same quarter a year ago [18] - The company has a strong balance sheet with approximately $4.2 billion in cash and cash equivalents and total debt of $1.2 billion [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Long-term differentiation of silicon photonics business - Management highlighted that GlobalFoundries has been early in developing silicon photonics, focusing on best-in-class device performance and building an ecosystem to support customer design needs [36][37] Question: Capital and CapEx needs for silicon photonics growth - Management indicated that while CapEx has been moderated, there is an expectation for a pickup in CapEx in 2026 to support the growth of the silicon photonics business [39][40] Question: Revenue guidance for smart mobile devices - Management expects a low double-digit % decline year-over-year for smart mobile devices in the fourth quarter, influenced by previous pricing adjustments [45] Question: Onshoring demand and pipeline - Management noted strong engagement from customers regarding U.S. onshoring, with a significant pipeline indicating a durable secular shift [48][49] Question: GaN strategy and competition - Management expressed excitement about GaN technology, emphasizing its role in improving power density and reducing losses, with a focus on high-quality, reliable devices [52][53]