Avnet(US:AVT)2026-01-28 17:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved sales of $6.3 billion in the second quarter, representing a 12% year-over-year increase and a 7% sequential increase [13][4] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share were $1.05, exceeding the high end of guidance and growing nearly four times compared to the previous quarter [16][21] - Operating margin for electronic components was 3.2%, while Farnell's operating margin was 4.7%, marking the highest for Farnell since fiscal 2023 [16][11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Electronic components sales increased by 11% year-over-year and 7% sequentially, with a constant currency increase of 9% year-over-year [13][14] - Farnell sales grew by 24% year-over-year and 7% sequentially, with a constant currency increase of 20% year-over-year [14][10] - Demand creation revenues increased sequentially by 7%, indicating positive trends in converting design wins into revenues [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales in Asia reached a record high of over $3 billion, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of year-on-year sales growth in the region [8][13] - Year-over-year sales increased by 17% in Asia, 8% in Europe, and 5% in the Americas [13] - The pricing environment remained stable, but upward pricing pressure is anticipated across many technologies due to supply dynamics [7][34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding operating margins, optimizing inventory, and generating cash flow while making necessary investments for future growth [5][12] - There is an emphasis on improving return on working capital and overall return on invested capital [20][19] - The company aims to leverage its diverse supplier line card and customer base to drive profitable growth [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong demand signals and improving visibility into customer orders [6][29] - The company anticipates continued growth and margin expansion in 2026, supported by a recovering market and improved operational leverage [12][21] - Management noted that the demand for electronic components is broadening, driven by sectors such as data centers and artificial intelligence [5][6] Other Important Information - The company generated $208 million in cash flow from operations during the quarter and reduced inventory by $126 million [20][17] - The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share, totaling $28 million [21] - Guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 includes sales in the range of $6.2 billion to $6.5 billion and diluted earnings per share between $1.20 and $1.30 [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the linearity of orders during the quarter and the duration of your backlog? - Management noted that bookings typically tail off in December, but billings continue, indicating a positive trend in order visibility and customer engagement [25][26][29] Question: What are the pricing pressures in specific end markets? - Management indicated that while pricing has remained stable, there are signs of upward pressure in memory, storage, and certain capacitors, driven by increased demand from data centers [34][49] Question: How do you expect the March quarter to perform relative to seasonality? - Management expects a typical seasonal bounce back in the West, with high single-digit growth anticipated, while Asia may see a less than seasonal decline due to Lunar New Year [38][45] Question: Can core business margins grow year-over-year for the remaining quarters? - Management expressed confidence in margin expansion as the West recovers, with expectations for continued momentum in operating margins [45][46] Question: How does pricing from suppliers impact revenues and margins? - Management explained that pricing affects average selling prices, with contracted customers absorbing price increases, while spot buys can lead to improved margins [48][49]