Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net income of $20,686,000 for fiscal 2025, translating to $2.20 per share, which is an increase of 8.8% from fiscal 2024 [13] - Retained earnings rose by more than $9.1 million, or 8.8%, totaling $113,400,000, marking the highest level in the past two decades [14][17] - Liquid assets exceeded $77.1 million at year-end, reflecting a more than 13% increase year-over-year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Earnings from EAM, the investment advisor to the Value Line Mutual Fund, totaled $18,318,000, growing by over $5 million, or 38% from the previous year [13] - Income from securities transactions reached a record high of $3,238,000, exceeding the prior year's income of $2,764,000 by more than 17% [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. economy, where the company conducts 98% of its business, has been generally expanding, with expectations for continued growth [18] - Stock market conditions have been favorable, with most indexes hitting new highs, positively impacting the company [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to invest in advertising and marketing initiatives, particularly targeting individual investors, and is utilizing artificial intelligence for more effective advertising [15] - There is an ongoing effort to update and redesign information technology systems for greater efficiency and security, including replacing older legacy systems [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the economic outlook, despite concerns about rising unemployment and softness in certain sectors like manufacturing and home building [18] - The company believes that the Federal Reserve's timely policy actions will address areas of economic softness [19] - Higher tariffs have had little impact on profitability and supply chain disruptions, with the company diversifying supply sources to mitigate risks [20] Other Important Information - The company has paid over $20 million in dividends to shareholders over the past two years, reflecting a commitment to returning value to shareholders [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is management's view of the economic outlook and its effect on the company? - Management expects the U.S. economy to continue expanding, with some concerns about rising unemployment and softness in manufacturing and home building [18] - The Federal Reserve's actions are seen as timely to address economic softness, and stock market conditions have been favorable for the company [19] Question: What are the board's plans for buying back stock? - The company has been moderately active in stock repurchase programs and continues to evaluate its stance periodically [20]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total organic sales increased by 2% in the third quarter, driven by volume growth, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of volume-led growth [5][21] - Adjusted gross profit margin decreased by 120 basis points due to higher commodity costs and tariffs, with gross margins coming in below expectations [23][24] - Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter was $0.85, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year [27][35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Consumer segment, organic sales increased by 3%, primarily driven by volume growth, with a 3% increase in the Americas and a 4% increase in EMEA [21][22] - Flavor Solutions segment saw organic sales up by 1%, with a 2% price contribution but flat volume and mix [22][23] - Asia-Pacific region for Consumer segment experienced a 1% decline in organic sales, primarily due to softness in the food service business in China [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In EMEA, consumer organic sales grew by 4%, driven by a 1% increase in volume and a 3% increase in price due to commodity cost actions [21] - Asia-Pacific's Flavor Solutions organic sales increased by 6%, with volume growth of 9%, driven by QSR customer promotions [23] - The U.S. market saw McCormick branded unit consumption growth outpacing the broader edible category for five consecutive quarters [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to delivering volume growth and investing in brands, technology, and digital transformation [8][10] - Strategic pricing and innovation are key focuses to offset rising commodity costs and tariffs [9][30] - The company plans to leverage its global reach and local brands to meet consumer needs and drive future growth [8][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted a challenging consumer environment, with low to middle-income households adjusting shopping habits [7] - Confidence in a gradual recovery in the China consumer market for 2025 was expressed despite current headwinds [6][14] - The company expects to maintain volume momentum while managing profitability through strategic initiatives [9][10] Other Important Information - The company revised its profitability outlook to the low end of the range due to rising commodity costs and tariffs [9][31] - Tariff exposure for 2025 is now expected to be approximately $70 million, up from $50 million previously [29] - The company is focused on maintaining a balanced use of cash, funding growth investments while returning cash to shareholders [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Visibility on positive volume outcome in consumer segment - Management acknowledged a deceleration in volume growth but emphasized strong plans and innovations to maintain positive volume growth in the fourth quarter [42][44] Question: Mitigation opportunities for inflation and tariffs in 2026 - Management indicated ongoing efforts to offset tariff impacts through productivity savings and alternative sourcing, with confidence in mitigating future impacts [47][50] Question: Cost inflation guidance and drivers - Management explained that increased commodity costs and new tariffs were significant drivers of cost inflation, leading to revised guidance [54][56] Question: Gross margin expectations for Q4 - Management confirmed expectations for gross margin improvement in Q4, with a need for sequential growth to meet year-over-year comparisons [58][60] Question: Clarification on tariff offset expectations - Management reiterated the goal to fully offset tariff impacts for 2025 while continuing to work on mitigation plans for 2026 [63][64]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decrease in top-line guidance while maintaining capital expenditure (CAPEX) guidance, indicating confidence in long-term growth despite near-term headwinds [12][14] - The beer operating margin target remains at 39% to 40%, which is considered best in class, even with some expected deleveraging [65][66] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The beer segment experienced a decline in sales volume, particularly among Hispanic consumers, attributed to macroeconomic factors and socio-economic concerns [9][10] - The wine and spirits segment showed positive growth, with brands like Kim Crawford and Meiomi contributing to a 2% increase in Q2, maintaining a strong market position [36][70] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted significant volatility in sales, particularly in high Hispanic zip code areas, which have underperformed compared to the general market [76] - California has been identified as a major challenge, with expectations for construction opportunities to potentially improve beer sales in the region [77] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining marketing investments to drive long-term growth, despite current economic challenges [25][26] - There is an emphasis on price pack architecture to cater to consumers with varying financial capabilities, ensuring accessibility to products across different price points [44][60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about hitting the bottom of the current sales decline, while acknowledging unprecedented volatility in the market [76] - The company remains committed to investing in brand loyalty and marketing, particularly targeting younger consumers like Gen Z [10][25] Other Important Information - The company has achieved $105 million in cost savings year-to-date, with ongoing efforts to optimize operations and logistics [48] - Tariff impacts are expected to be around $70 million for the beer business and $20 million for the wine business, tracking with volume changes [53] Q&A Session Summary Question: Volume growth and consumer sentiment - Management highlighted that 80% of consumers are concerned about the socio-economic environment, impacting engagement and volume growth [9][10] Question: CAPEX guidance rationale - The company plans to maintain CAPEX to support long-term growth, despite short-term challenges [12][14] Question: Brand loyalty for Corona and Modelo - Management noted increased loyalty for Corona and Modelo, with specific brands within the portfolio performing well [18][19] Question: Impact of macro factors on beer category - Management believes macro factors are more significant than structural issues, although cannabis and health trends are acknowledged as potential influences [23][24] Question: Beer margin and cost savings - The company reported $65 million in cost savings for Q2, with ongoing initiatives to enhance operational efficiency [47][48] Question: Pricing strategy in light of economic challenges - The company expects to maintain a 1-2% pricing increase, adjusting strategies based on market conditions [72][73] Question: Inventory levels and destocking - Inventory levels are reported to be in a good position, with no significant destocking issues anticipated [70][71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total organic sales increased by 2% in the third quarter, marking five consecutive quarters of volume-led growth [5][22] - Adjusted gross profit margin decreased by 120 basis points due to higher commodity costs and tariffs [24] - Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter was $0.85, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer segment organic sales grew by 3%, driven primarily by volume and mix, with minimal pricing benefit [22] - Flavor Solutions segment organic sales increased by 1%, with a 2% price contribution but flat volume and mix [23] - In the Americas, Consumer organic sales grew by 3%, while in EMEA, it grew by 4% [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Asia-Pacific, Consumer organic sales decreased by 1%, primarily due to softness in the food service business in China [22] - Flavor Solutions in Asia-Pacific saw a 6% increase in organic sales, driven by QSR customer promotions [24] - QSR trends in EMEA began to stabilize, marking an improvement relative to recent periods [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to delivering volume growth and investing in brands, technology, and digital transformation [9][10] - Strategic pricing and ongoing innovation are key components of the company's approach to offset rising costs [10][31] - The company is focused on maintaining a consumer-centric strategy while adapting to market dynamics [11][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the environment remains challenging, with continued pressure expected into 2026 [7][8] - There is confidence in a gradual recovery in the China Consumer segment for 2025 [15] - The company plans to offset tariff impacts through productivity savings and alternative sourcing [30][31] Other Important Information - The company expects to maintain a balanced use of cash, funding growth investments while returning cash to shareholders [29] - Tariff exposure for 2025 is now expected to be approximately $70 million, up from previous estimates [30] - The company is implementing targeted tariff pricing and monitoring elasticities to inform future plans [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Visibility on positive volume outcome in Consumer segment - Management acknowledged a deceleration in overall food unit growth but remains confident in maintaining volume momentum through strategic pricing and innovation [44][46] Question: Mitigation opportunities for inflation and tariffs in 2026 - Management indicated that while it is early to predict exact impacts, robust mitigation plans are in place to lessen the impact of tariffs and inflation [50][52] Question: Clarification on cost inflation guidance - Management explained that increased commodity costs and new tariffs were the primary drivers for the revised guidance [57][60] Question: Gross margin expectations for Q4 - Management confirmed that gross margin is expected to improve in Q4, with a focus on mitigating costs through various strategies [61][62] Question: Reformulation activity and its impact - Management noted increased reformulation activity among customers, particularly in response to consumer concerns about additives [77][80] Question: Acquisition strategy - Management reiterated a focus on both bolt-on and transformative opportunities, particularly in flavor-related categories [82]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decrease in top-line guidance while maintaining capital expenditure (CAPEX) guidance, indicating confidence in long-term growth despite near-term headwinds [12][14]. - The beer operating margin is expected to remain best in class, even with some deleveraging due to volume declines [65]. Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The beer segment experienced a drop in sales volume, particularly among Hispanic consumers, attributed to macroeconomic factors and socio-economic concerns [9][10]. - The wine and spirits business showed positive growth, with key brands like Mi Campo and The Prisoner gaining market share [36][70]. Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that Hispanic consumer sentiment has been particularly suppressed, impacting sales volume [8][9]. - The overall market for beer is facing challenges, with significant differences in performance across various demographic segments [76]. Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on maintaining marketing investments to drive long-term growth, despite current economic challenges [26][60]. - There is an emphasis on price pack architecture to cater to consumers with varying financial capabilities, ensuring accessibility to products [44][60]. Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about hitting the bottom of the current sales volume decline, while acknowledging unprecedented volatility in the market [76]. - The company is committed to investing in long-term growth and believes that socio-economic conditions will eventually improve, allowing for a return to traditional growth profiles [26][67]. Other Important Information - The company has achieved significant cost savings, totaling over $500 million since the investor day a couple of years ago, with $105 million realized year-to-date [48]. - Tariff impacts are expected to be around $70 million for the beer business and $20 million for the wine business this year [53]. Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of ICE activities on volume growth - Management indicated that consumer sentiment is a key factor, with 80% of consumers expressing concern about the socio-economic environment, which has affected engagement and volume growth [9][10]. Question: CAPEX guidance amidst weaker top line - Management stated that CAPEX guidance remains unchanged due to long-term growth commitments, although they are exploring ways to potentially reduce CAPEX in future years [12][14]. Question: Loyalty metrics for Corona and Modelo - Management highlighted increased loyalty for Corona and Modelo, despite recent challenges for Corona Extra, with strong performance from Corona Familiar and Sunbrew [18][19]. Question: Structural vs. cyclical factors affecting beer category - Management believes that cyclical factors are more significant than structural ones, although they acknowledge potential impacts from health trends and cannabis substitution [23][24]. Question: Beer margin and cost savings - The company reported $65 million in cost savings for Q2 and is focused on operational efficiencies to continue this trend [47][48]. Question: Brand positioning of Corona - Management is refining Corona's brand positioning to focus more on the beer itself and its refreshing qualities, moving away from celebrity-heavy marketing [54][55]. Question: Pricing strategy amidst economic challenges - The company expects to maintain a 1%-2% pricing increase, adjusting strategies based on market conditions and consumer sentiment [72][73]. Question: Depletions expectations for the second half - Management noted that depletions are expected to track closely with shipments, but there is caution due to unprecedented market volatility [76].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total organic sales increased by 2% in Q3 2025, marking five consecutive quarters of volume-led growth [5][22] - Adjusted gross profit margin decreased by 120 basis points due to higher commodity costs and tariffs [24][25] - Adjusted earnings per share for Q3 2025 was $0.85, a 2% increase compared to the previous year [27][36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer segment organic sales grew by 3%, driven primarily by volume and mix, with minimal pricing benefit [22] - Flavor Solutions segment organic sales increased by 1%, with a 2% price contribution but flat volume [23] - In the Americas, Flavor Solutions' organic sales rose by 1%, reflecting a strong performance with faster-growing flavor customers [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer organic sales in the Asia-Pacific region decreased by 1%, primarily due to softness in the food service business in China [22] - EMEA consumer organic sales grew by 4%, driven by a 1% increase in volume and a 3% increase in price [22] - QSR trends in EMEA began to stabilize, marking an improvement relative to recent periods [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains committed to delivering volume growth and investing in brands, technology, and digital transformation [9][10] - Strategic pricing and ongoing innovation are key components of the company's approach to mitigate rising costs [10][30] - The company is focused on maintaining a balanced use of cash, funding growth investments while returning cash to shareholders [28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management noted that the consumer environment remains challenging, with low to middle-income households adapting their shopping behaviors [7] - There is confidence in a gradual recovery in the China consumer market for 2025 [5][15] - The company expects to offset most of the tariff impact through productivity savings and alternative sourcing [30] Other Important Information - The company revised its profitability outlook to the low end of the range due to rising commodity costs and tariffs [10][31] - Total gross annualized tariff exposure is now approximately $140 million, up from $90 million previously [29] - The company plans to implement targeted tariff pricing and monitor elasticities to inform future plans [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Visibility on positive volume outcome in the consumer segment - Management acknowledged a deceleration in volume growth but emphasized strong sales growth driven by volume and innovation [41][42] Question: Mitigation opportunities for further inflation and tariffs in 2026 - Management indicated that it is early to predict the exact impact of tariffs for 2026 but expressed confidence in current mitigation plans [46][48] Question: Clarification on cost inflation guidance - Management explained that increased commodity costs and new tariffs were significant factors in the revised guidance for 2025 [50][52] Question: Expectations on gross margin for Q4 - Management confirmed that gross margin is expected to improve in Q4 as mitigation efforts take effect [53][54] Question: Comments on reformulation activities and private label growth - Management noted increased reformulation activity among high-growth innovators and private label customers, driven by consumer demand for healthier options [66][68] Question: Acquisition strategy and interest in large companies - Management reiterated a focus on both bolt-on and transformative opportunities, emphasizing interest in flavor-related categories [70][72]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decrease in top-line guidance last month but maintained its CAPEX guidance, indicating a commitment to long-term growth despite near-term headwinds [10][12] - The beer operating margin target remains at 39% to 40%, which is considered best in class, even with some deleveraging expected [58][60] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The beer segment experienced a drop in sales volume, particularly among Hispanic consumers, attributed to macroeconomic factors and socio-economic concerns [6][9] - The wine and spirits segment showed a 2% increase in Q2, driven by brands like Kim Crawford and Meiomi, indicating a strong performance in the market [32][64] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer sentiment remains low, with 80% of surveyed consumers expressing concerns about the socio-economic environment, impacting overall sales volume [7][9] - The company noted significant differences in performance across various markets, with high Hispanic zip code areas showing worse results compared to the general market [69] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining marketing investments to drive long-term growth, despite current economic challenges [22][23] - There is an emphasis on price pack architecture to cater to consumers with varying financial capabilities, ensuring accessibility to products [39][55] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management believes that the current challenges are primarily cyclical and expects a return to traditional growth profiles as socio-economic conditions improve [23][60] - The company is cautiously optimistic about hitting the bottom of the current market volatility, with a focus on monitoring trends closely [70] Other Important Information - The company has achieved $105 million in cost savings year-to-date, with ongoing efforts to optimize operations and logistics [43] - Tariff impacts are expected to be around $70 million for the beer business and $20 million for the wine business this year [48] Q&A Session Summary Question: Volume growth and consumer sentiment - Management acknowledged the impact of socio-economic concerns on consumer behavior, particularly among Hispanic consumers, and noted increased loyalty for brands like Corona and Modelo [6][7] Question: CAPEX guidance rationale - The company explained that CAPEX for FY2026 remains unchanged due to long-term commitments, while future CAPEX adjustments will be considered based on market conditions [10][12] Question: Beer margin and cost savings - Management highlighted $65 million in cost savings for Q2 and discussed ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency [42][43] Question: Brand loyalty and performance - The company provided insights into brand health metrics, indicating that while Corona Extra faced challenges, the broader Corona family performed well, particularly with Corona Familiar [15][16] Question: Pricing strategy and market conditions - Management reiterated the expectation of a 1% to 2% pricing increase, emphasizing a market-by-market approach to pricing strategies [66][67] Question: Inventory levels and depletions - The company confirmed that inventory levels are in a good position and expressed confidence in aligning shipments and depletions moving forward [36][64]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $11 million, a decrease of $2.1 million from $13.1 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by demand for FoxXP and FoxCP products [24][25] - Non-GAAP gross margin for the first quarter was 37.5%, down from 54.7% year-over-year, mainly due to lower sales volume and a less favorable product mix [25] - Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter was $0.3 million or $0.01 per share, compared to $2.2 million or $0.07 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 [27] - Backlog at the end of Q1 was $15.5 million, with $2 million net bookings received in the first five weeks of the second quarter [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Contactor revenues, which include wafer packs for wafer-level burn-in business, totaled $2.6 million, significantly lower than $12.1 million or 92% of the previous year's first quarter revenue [25] - The company shipped multiple FoxCP single-wafer production test and burn-in systems during Q1, indicating ongoing demand in the hard disk drive industry [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing strong momentum in sales and customer engagement in the AI processor market, with a lead production customer placing multiple follow-on volume production orders for Sonoma systems [5][6] - There is increasing demand in the silicon photonics market, driven by the adoption of optical chip-to-chip communication and optical network switching [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on semiconductor test and burn-in markets, particularly related to the expansion of data center infrastructure and AI [4] - Aehr Test Systems is positioned to assist customers with both wafer-level and packaged part burn-in systems, enhancing its market position [10] - The company is developing strategic partnerships with OSATs to provide advanced wafer-level test and burn-in solutions for high-performance computing and AI processors [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in broad-based growth opportunities across AI and other markets, despite ongoing tariff-related uncertainties [23][30] - The company anticipates order growth in nearly all served markets for the fiscal year, with silicon carbide growth expected to strengthen further into fiscal 2027 [23] Other Important Information - The company successfully closed the InCal facility and consolidated operations into its Fremont facility, which has significantly upgraded manufacturing capabilities [26][30] - The company has no debt and continues to invest excess cash in money market funds [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: When will there be a material improvement in bookings to drive revenue? - Management anticipates additional capacity needs from their lead AI wafer-level burn-in production customer, which could lead to increased bookings and revenue this year [34] Question: Do you have a target number of customers for shipping by the end of the fiscal year? - Management has discrete quantity targets for additional packaged part and wafer-level customers but is cautious about setting expectations [44] Question: What is the gating factor for customers transitioning from Sonoma to wafer-level burn-in? - The transition does not require a new product, but customers need to validate that the company can meet their specific requirements [66] Question: How does the company view the cost-effectiveness of wafer-level burn-in compared to system-level burn-in? - Management emphasized that wafer-level burn-in is more cost-effective and efficient, reducing the risk of failures at the system level [74][76]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $11 million, a decrease of $2.1 million from $13.1 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by demand for FoxXP and FoxCP products [24][25] - Non-GAAP gross margin for the first quarter was 37.5%, down from 54.7% year-over-year, mainly due to lower sales volume and a less favorable product mix [25] - Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter was $0.3 million or $0.01 per share, compared to $2.2 million or $0.07 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 [27] - Backlog at the end of Q1 was $15.5 million, with $2 million net bookings received in the first five weeks of the second quarter [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Contactor revenues, which include wafer packs for wafer-level burn-in business, totaled $2.6 million, significantly lower than $12.1 million or 92% of the previous year's first quarter revenue [25] - The company shipped multiple FoxCP single-wafer production test and burn-in systems during Q1, indicating ongoing demand in the hard disk drive industry [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing ongoing growth in the silicon photonics market, driven by the adoption of optical chip-to-chip communication and optical network switching [14] - Demand for gallium nitride devices is increasing, particularly in data center power efficiency, solar energy, and automotive systems [16] - The market for NAND flash is in a state of flux, with a transition to hybrid bonding technologies driving new requirements for higher parallelism and power [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on semiconductor test and burn-in markets, particularly related to the expansion of data center infrastructure and AI [4][21] - Aehr Test Systems is positioned to assist customers with both wafer-level and packaged part burn-in systems, enhancing its market position [10] - The company is developing strategic partnerships to provide advanced wafer-level test and burn-in solutions for high-performance computing and AI processors [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains cautious due to ongoing tariff-related uncertainty and has not reinstated formal guidance, but is confident in broad-based growth opportunities across AI and other markets [23][31] - The company anticipates order growth in nearly all served markets for the fiscal year, with silicon carbide growth expected to strengthen further into fiscal 2027 [23] Other Important Information - The company successfully closed the InCal facility and consolidated operations into its Fremont, California facility, incurring a one-time restructuring charge of $219,000 [26] - The facility renovation has significantly upgraded manufacturing capabilities, increasing overall manufacturing capacity by at least five times [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: When will there be a material improvement in bookings to drive revenue? - Management anticipates additional capacity needs from their first AI wafer-level burn-in production customer, which could lead to increased bookings and revenue this year, but timing is uncertain [34] Question: Do you have a target number of customers for shipping by the end of the fiscal year? - Management has discrete quantity targets for additional packaged part and wafer-level customers, but is cautious about setting expectations regarding timelines [44] Question: What is the gating factor for customers transitioning from Sonoma to wafer-level burn-in? - The transition does not require a new product, but customers need to validate that the company can meet their specific requirements for power delivery and design for testability [66] Question: How does the company view the cost-effectiveness of wafer-level burn-in compared to system-level burn-in? - Wafer-level burn-in is preferred as it is more cost-effective and efficient, allowing for accelerated testing without the inefficiencies of system-level testing [74][76] Question: What is the outlook for high-bandwidth flash and memory? - There is significant interest in high-bandwidth flash and memory, with ongoing discussions about the need for burn-in processes to ensure reliability before shipping [81]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter revenue was $11 million, a decrease of $2.1 million from $13.1 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by demand for FoxXP and FoxCP products [24] - Non-GAAP gross margin for the first quarter was 37.5%, down from 54.7% year-over-year, mainly due to lower sales volume and a less favorable product mix [25] - Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter was $0.3 million or $0.01 per share, compared to $2.2 million or $0.07 per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Contactor revenues totaled $2.6 million, making up 24% of total revenue in the first quarter, significantly lower than $12.1 million or 92% of the previous year's first quarter revenue [25] - The company shipped multiple FoxCP single-wafer production test and burn-in systems during the quarter [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Continued momentum in the qualification and production burn-in of packaged parts for AI processors, with a leading hyperscaler placing multiple follow-on volume production orders for Sonoma systems [5][6] - Increased interest in wafer-level burn-in capabilities from AI processor companies, with ongoing customer engagements [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on semiconductor test and burn-in markets, particularly related to the expansion of data center infrastructure and AI [4] - Aehr Test Systems is positioned to assist customers with both wafer-level and packaged part burn-in systems, enhancing its market position [10] - The company is developing strategic partnerships to provide advanced wafer-level test and burn-in solutions for high-performance computing and AI processors [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in broad-based growth opportunities across AI and other markets, despite ongoing tariff-related uncertainties [23] - The company anticipates order growth in nearly all served markets for the fiscal year, with silicon carbide growth expected to strengthen further into fiscal 2027 [23] Other Important Information - The company completed a facility renovation that significantly upgraded manufacturing capabilities, increasing overall manufacturing capacity by at least five times [29] - The company has no debt and continues to invest excess cash in money market funds [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: When will there be a material improvement in bookings to drive revenue? - Management indicated that they anticipate additional capacity needs from their first AI wafer-level burn-in production customer, which could lead to increased bookings and revenue [32] Question: Do you have a target number of customers for shipping by the end of the fiscal year? - Management confirmed that they have discrete quantity targets and are focused on capturing multiple customers in both packaged and wafer-level segments [41] Question: What is the qualification process like for new customers? - Management stated that they do not need a new product cycle to engage customers and are working closely with them to validate capabilities [50] Question: What are the gating factors for customers transitioning from Sonoma to wafer-level burn-in? - Management explained that customers are currently using Sonoma for packaged part burn-in and are gradually moving towards wafer-level burn-in as they see the benefits [58]