Micron Technology(US:MU)2025-12-18 00:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 20% bit shipment growth in fiscal 2026, driven by efficiencies in existing fabs and node transitions [7][8] - Gross margin reached 68%, with expectations for gradual increases in the future due to strong demand and operational efficiencies [25][28] - Free cash flow margin was near 30% in the first quarter, with plans to increase free cash flow throughout the year [52][70] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - DRAM pricing increased by 20% sequentially, while NAND pricing also saw significant growth [13][22] - The attach rate for high-capacity SSDs in AI servers is growing, with Micron leading in QLC workloads [19][20] - SSD business exceeded $1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, with expectations for accelerated growth as supply chain issues are resolved [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Demand for both DRAM and NAND is substantially higher than supply, affecting all segments [14][15] - The company is experiencing a mismatch between supply and demand across all market segments, particularly in data centers [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on diversifying its business across segments while prioritizing strategic customers [15][16] - There is a shift towards data center products, with an emphasis on higher ROI segments [56] - The company plans to double construction CapEx from fiscal 2025 to 2026, indicating a strong commitment to expanding capacity [47][76] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the demand environment is expected to remain strong, with significant unmet demand across all segments [30][31] - The company is confident in its ability to sustain or expand margins due to favorable market conditions and operational efficiencies [28][70] Other Important Information - The company paid down $2.7 billion of debt in the first quarter and returned to a net cash position [52][70] - CapEx as a percentage of sales is expected to be in the mid-20s for the second quarter, down from below 35% in the first quarter [51] Q&A Session Summary Question: Bit shipments of DRAM and guidance for NAND and Flash - The company achieved a slight increase in bit shipments of DRAM and expects more growth in the second quarter, primarily driven by price [6][8] Question: DRAM pricing and capacity allocation - The company is unable to meet the demand for both conventional DRAM and HBM due to supply constraints, with a focus on strategic customer relationships [14][15] Question: Future gross margin expectations - Management indicated that gross margins could increase gradually, supported by strong demand and operational efficiencies [25][28] Question: HBM production and flexibility - The company is sold out for HBM, with significant unmet demand, and any increases in supply will not significantly impact overall demand [30][31] Question: CapEx breakdown and trends - The company plans to increase construction CapEx significantly, with a focus on expanding capacity in various locations [47][76] Question: Allocation decisions across markets - The company faces challenges in balancing allocation across different markets, ensuring support for strategic customers while optimizing for gross margin [66][68]