Applied Materials(AMAT) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2026 was $7 billion, down 2% year-over-year, but within the upper end of guidance range [19] - Non-GAAP gross margin increased by 20 basis points year-over-year to 49.1% [20] - Non-GAAP operating profit declined 4% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, while non-GAAP earnings per share were flat year-over-year at $2.38 [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Semiconductor Systems revenue was $5.14 billion, down 8% year-over-year, but included record DRAM revenue [22] - Applied Global Services (AGS) delivered record revenue of $1.56 billion, growing 15% year-over-year [22] - Non-GAAP gross margin for AGS increased by 210 basis points, and operating margin grew by 320 basis points [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue in China declined 7% year-over-year, representing 27% of combined Semi Equipment and AGS sales [19] - The global semiconductor industry revenues are expected to reach $1 trillion in 2026, driven by AI computing [7][16] - Demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) DRAM is increasing, with larger die sizes requiring 3x-4x more wafer starts per delivered bit than standard DRAM [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on inflection-focused innovation to drive sustainable growth and margin expansion [11] - Investments in AI infrastructure are expected to accelerate demand for semiconductor manufacturing capacity [5][16] - The EPIC co-development platform is designed to enhance collaboration with customers and accelerate the transfer of new technologies into high-volume manufacturing [14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects strong growth momentum to continue into 2027, driven by AI and energy-efficient computing [8][17] - The company anticipates a revenue increase to $7.65 billion in Q2 2026, representing a 9% sequential growth [24] - Management highlighted the importance of clean room capacity as a limiting factor for growth in the semiconductor equipment business [30][51] Other Important Information - The company has nearly doubled its system manufacturing capacity over the past several years to meet increasing demand [18] - A $252.5 million accrual related to an export controls compliance matter was included in GAAP results, with inquiries now closed [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance on WFE for 2026 - Management expects to grow the semiconductor equipment business more than 20% in 2026, driven by AI [30] Question: Gross Margin Outlook - Management has improved gross margins by 700 basis points since 2019 and expects to continue this trend [34] Question: Changes in China and ICAPS Market - The ICAPS market is now expected to be flat, with long-term growth projected in mid- to high-single digits [42] Question: Advanced Packaging Growth - Advanced packaging WFE spending is increasing, particularly in HBM and 3D chiplet stacking, where the company holds a strong market position [44] Question: AGS Growth Potential - AGS is expected to grow at low double digits, with potential for higher growth due to new products and increased installed base [82] Question: PDC Solutions Demand - The Process Diagnostics and Control business is one of the fastest-growing segments, with high confidence in continued growth [91]