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Earnings Call Transcripts

Super Micro Computer, Inc.

SMCI
Quarters2 Quarters
ContentQ&A Sections
SourceEarnings Conference Call
Quarter 1

Q2 2026 Earnings Call — February 3, 2026

Management: Our third quarter of fiscal 2026 quiet period ends at the close or begins at the close of business Friday, March 13th, 2026. And for now, I will turn the call over to Charles.

Executive Name (Charles): Thank you, Michael. And thank you all for joining today's call. Supermicro delivered a strong Q2 as AI infrastructure demand continues to accelerate across every major customer segment. For a quarter, we achieved a record 12.68 billion in revenue, including 1.5 billion before the former top of account last quarter, representing 123% year-over-year growth. This strong performance reflects the sustained momentum of our AI solutions and the drug scale systems as Cosmo view our next generation AI factories. Supermicro has been developing some of the largest and most complex AI cluster ever built, highlighting our unmatched capability in large scale manufacturing on site deployment and integration. Most notably, our data center building block solution, or DCBBS, has started to gain some key customer preference as they look for quicker time to deployment, TTD, and quicker time to online, TTO.

These pre-designed, pre-validated infrastructure building blocks not only speed up customers' data center build, but they also save cost with better workload optimization and with minimal power and water consumption. BCPPS will significantly help us gain market share in large, medium, and small AI infrastructure deployments. With GP300, B200, B300, and MI350 platforms, we are also preparing for the upcoming NVIDIA, VERA Rubin, and AMD Helios solutions for the second half this year. While we continuously growing AI factory build out customer and product mix, shifting a shift more to a large model builder who had pricing leverage, pressuring gross margin. In Q2, especially the expansion expedite transportation costs, ongoing components shortage, and their volatile pricing, among which tariffs, impact our short-term growth margin. As such, I would like to take a moment to highlight our key strategies to address this and efficiently strengthen our long-term profitability. First and foremost, Supermicro undergoes its first phase of product evolution with DCBPS as its key focus. As this data center degrades scale, DCBPS is and will become an increasingly important part of our value.

In the first half of fiscal year 26, DCBPS solutions accounted for 4% of our profit. We expect this part of our profit to grow and meaningfully contribute to the second half of fiscal 26. And we see that growth accelerate to at least double this contribution by end of calendar 2026. With compressed GPU-CPU lifecycle, DCPPS become critical helpful to the value of our server and storage products by enhancing the data center infrastructure time to delivery and time to online, reducing power and water consumption, and cost efficiently simplifying data center management and maintenance. In just about one year, our DCPBS product lines grew to more than 10 key subsystems, including CDU, air-to-air heat exchanger, chill doors, power shelves, battery backup, water tower, dry towers, high-speed switching, data center management software, and service.

We are expanding this product line to include more new categories, such as transformer, next-generation power generators, device for energy backup, great power replacement for the strength in customer value accelerating deployment and supporting long-term profit margin improving for super micro other than developing pc pps for better value and portability we are also sharpening our focus on traditional enterprise cloud and edge iot customers to further diversify revenue with higher margin. In addition, we have introduced our X14 and H14 Go series solutions, featuring pre-configured systems that ship directly from our factory, enabling rapid deployment, optimized for specific AI cloud storage and telco edge workloads. These servers are ready to power up immediately and reinforce Supermicro's core value time-to-market advantage for enterprise customers, channel partners, and SMB end users. We are also driving meaningful cost improvement through enhanced design for manufacturing, DFM, and quality-driven engineering. We have introduced more marginalized subsystems and expanded automation across our facilities.

These efforts increase ERA, reduce new work, and enable us to bring new platform to volume production even faster and with higher quality. As product cycle shortened and technical complexity increased, designed for manufacturing advancement are essential for scale, efficiency, and long-term margin improvement. While executing these DFM initiatives, we are also continuing to expand our global manufacturing footprint aggressively and strategically. Our Silicon Valley facility remains the cornerstone of our U.S. operations, delivering faster time-to-market, strong security, and higher quality integration. Internationally, new production sites in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Nasdaq, and soon the Middle East, are ramping to increase capacity, support regional solving AI requirements, and most importantly, optimize our overall coastal structure.

In summary, as the only company with more than 32 years of robust server and storage focus, Supermicro is quickly evolving into a leading AI platform and data center infrastructure total solution provider. Strong Q2 performance, rapid expansion of DCPBS product line, deeper and more customer engagement, and global capacity investment position us well for long-term growth, well near-term margin pressure from customer mix, tariffs, international facility expansion, and key component shortage, like memory and storage shortage. Our focus on enterprise business uh designed for manufacturer improvement and the faster growing pc bbs portfolio all help us gain new customers support higher growth and net margin going forward. Lastly, based on our broader customer back order forecast and commitment, we believe demands for ai and IT infrastructure remain unprecedentedly strong. Our DCPBS solution is exactly what customers need to build out their AI and cloud much faster, greener, and lower total cost. With that in mind, I'm confident to guide at least $12.3 billion for Q3 and up our full-year revenue guidance back to at least $40 billion.

I look forward to sharing our progress with you next quarter. Thank you. Now I will turn it over to David.

Executive Name (David): Thank you, Charles. We achieved record Q2 fiscal year 26 revenue of $12.7 billion, up 123% year over year, and up 153% quarter over quarter, compared to our guidance of $10 billion to 11 billion. Q2 revenue included approximately 1.5 billion in delayed Q1 shipments due to customer readiness. Growth was driven this quarter by the rapid ramp and deployment of our rack scale AI solutions. Despite supply chain challenges in the industry, our global manufacturing team executed well in delivering record revenue. Order strength remains strong from global large data center and enterprise customers. AI GPU platforms, which represent over 90% of Q2 revenue, continue to be the key growth driver. During Q2, the enterprise channel revenue segment totaled $2 billion, representing about 16% of revenue versus 31% in the prior quarter. That's up 42% year-over-year and up 29% quarter-over-quarter. The OEM appliance and large data center segment revenue was 10.7 billion, representing approximately 84% of Q2 revenue versus 68% in the last quarter. This was up 151% year-over-year and up 210% quarter-over-quarter.

For Q2 FY26, one large data center customer represented approximately 63% of total revenue. By geography, the US represented 86% of Q2 revenue, Asia 9%, Europe 3%, and the rest of the world 2%. On a year-over-year basis, US revenue increased 184%, Asia grew 53%, Europe decreased 63%, and the rest of the world increased 77%. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, U.S. revenue increased 496%, Asia decreased 49%, Europe decreased 51%, and the rest of the world increased 53%. The Q2 non-GAAP gross margin was 6.4% versus 9.5% in Q1. Gross margins were impacted by customer and product mix, as well as higher freight, production, and expedite costs as we began to ship new platforms on a large scale. We had significant operating leverage during the quarter with total non-GAAP operating expenses representing 1.9% of revenue versus 4.1% last quarter. Q2 GAAP operating expenses were $324 million, up 14% quarter over quarter, and up 8% year over year. On a non-GAAP basis, operating expenses were $241 million, which was up 18% quarter over quarter and up 6% year over year. Operating expenses were up quarter over quarter, largely due to higher sales expenses.

Non-GAAP operating margin for Q2 was 4.5% compared to 5.4% in Q1. Other income and expense for Q2 totaled a net income of $26 million, reflecting 51 million in interest income on higher cash balances, partially offset by 25 million in interest expense, primarily related to our convertible notes. The tax provision for Q2 was $99 million on a GAAP basis and 122 million on a non-GAAP basis, resulting in a GAAP tax rate of 19.8% and a non-GAAP tax rate of 20.6%. Q2 GAAP EPS was $0.60 compared to guidance of $0.37 to $0.45, and non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.69 versus guidance of $0.46 to $0.54 due to higher revenue and operating leverage. The GAAP fully diluted share count increased sequentially from $663 million in Q1 to $673 million in Q2, and the non-GAAP share count increased from $677 million to $688 million over the same period. Cash flow used in operations for Q2 was $24 million compared to $918 million used in the prior quarter. On a quarter-over-quarter basis, Q2 operating cash flow reflected higher net income, offset by higher accounts receivable and inventory levels, and aided by higher accounts payables.

Q2 closing inventory was 10.6 billion, up from 5.7 billion in Q1 as we prepared for continuing strength in Q3 shipments. CapEx for Q2 totaled 21 million, resulting in negative free cash flow of 45 million for the quarter. During the December quarter, we expanded our access to working capital to fund growth executing a $2 billion cash flow-based secured revolving credit facility in the U.S. In January, we also closed an approximately $1.8 billion secured Taiwan revolving debt facility. At quarter end, our cash position totaled $4.1 billion, while bank and convertible note debt was $4.9 billion, resulting in a net debt position of $787 million, compared to a net debt position of $579 million in the prior quarter. Turning to the balance sheet and working capital metrics, the cash conversion cycle significantly improved from 123 days in Q1 to 54 days in Q2. Days of inventory decreased by 42 days to 63 days versus 105 days in the prior quarter. Day sales outstanding increased by six days to 49 days versus 43 days in Q1 while days payables outstanding increased by 32 days to 58 days versus 26 days in Q1.

Turning to the outlook for Q3 FY26, we expect net sales to be at least 12.3 billion, GAAP diluted net income per share of at least 52 cents and non-GAAP diluted net income per share of at least $0.60. We expect gross margins to be up 30 basis points relative to Q2 FY26 levels. GAAP operating expenses are expected to be around $354 million, which include approximately $74 million in stock-based compensation expenses that are excluded from non-GAAP operating expenses. The outlook for Q3 of fiscal year 2026 fully diluted GAAP BPS includes approximately $62 million in expected stock-based compensation expenses, net of the tax effects of $19 million, which are excluded from non-GAAP diluted net income per common share. We expect other income and expenses, including interest expense, to result in a net expense of approximately $22 million. The company's projections for Q3 FY26 GAAP and non-GAAP diluted net income per common share assume a tax rate of 19.6%, a non-GAAP tax rate of 20.2%, and a fully diluted share count of 684 million for GAAP and 699 million shares for non-GAAP. Capital expenditures for Q3 are expected to be in the range of $70 to $90 million.

For full fiscal year 2026, we expect at least $40 billion in net sales. Michael, we're now ready for Q&A.

Management: Matthew, can you roll the queue?

Analyst Name (Ananda Barwa, Loop Capital): First question is from the line of Ananda Barwa with Loop Capital. Your line is now open. Hey, yeah, thanks, guys. Good afternoon. Thanks for taking the question, and yeah, congrats on the solid results here relative to the guys. I want to just ask about margins, and I have a few big questions I want to ask you here, but they're all margin related. I guess the first is with regards to you mentioned, I think, 90 days ago, that December quarter you expected to be sort of the low watermark quarter in gross margin, and you're guiding for QVQ improvement for the March quarter. Do you still think that things progress expansive from here, Charles? You made some comments around customer mix. uh it's been a headwind do you think it continues to improve and i have two quick follow-ups today just margin related after that thanks.

Executive Name (Charles): Yes, thank you for the question. Yes, the customer mix we are improving quarter out of the quarter now we have many more large-scale customers I would like to say so that will improve our profitability. The other factor is, last quarter, I mean December quarter, GP 300 was a little bit new to us, so lots of expedite transportation costs and now I mean a product is getting mature so those expedite transportation costs will be dramatically reduced and tariff impact also improving and so overall especially DCPPS also increasing for our net, for our gross margin. So I believe our gross margin will start to improve quarter after quarter.

Analyst Name (Ananda Barwa, Loop Capital): Charles, that's great context. Really appreciate it. And actually, Charles, one of my two clarifications here is from something you said in your prepared remarks. You said higher net margin. And so I guess you just clarify, you expect growth margins to go up. Maybe this is a Charles-Dave question. Dave, you mentioned OpEx leverage. The OpEx as a percentage of sales was really attractive this quarter. It's like 1.5%, I guess less than 2%. But should we expect I think it's the second quarter in a row. You drove OpEx leverage last quarter, this September quarter, for the first time in a while. But now you have this really attractive, the most attractive OpEx percentage of revenue in a while. So is the company entering a period of not only gross margin expansion, but OpEx dollar leverage as well, structurally? And that's it from you guys, thanks.

Executive Name (Charles): Yes, exactly. I mean, economical scale will help us to improve the cost, our cost, right? So that will impact our growth margin and especially operation margin. And again, DCPPS brings Supermicro for more business in service, in solar, in overall infrastructure, service to customer. So all those factors are positive to our margin improvement.

Analyst Name (Ananda Barwa, Loop Capital): Very helpful context. Thank you, guys. Really appreciate it.

Management: Thank you for your question.

Analyst Name (Sonic Chatterjee, JPMorgan): Next question is from the line of Sonic Chatterjee with JPMorgan. Your line is now open. Hi. This is MP on behalf of Sonic Chatterjee. I just wanted to double-click on your full-year guidance. You said $40 billion for FY26. If I back into the implied 4Q number, that implies significant quarter-over-quarter moderation. So is that just conservatism being embedded into the full-year outlook, or do you see definite indications from your order trends that 4Q will imply sequential moderation? And I have a follow-up as well.

Executive Name (Charles): Yeah, I believe we say minimum 40 billion is a relatively conservative number. So our business indeed will continue to grow, especially our DCPBS that attract lots of customers who want to build a data center quicker, less power consumption, less cost, I mean better cost, and also more reliable and easy for management. So we are getting more and more customers come to us.

Analyst Name (Sonic Chatterjee, JPMorgan): Thank you. And for my follow-up, I wanted to ask about DCBBS. You highlighted it being 4% of profits in first half. Can you please help us understand the contribution in terms of revenue? And then you also said it will increase to double-digit contribution by end of calendar year. So how does that translate to overall gross margin trajectory? Thank you.

Executive Name (Charles): Yeah, thank you. I mean, as you know, DCBBS is still a new product line to us. We officially introduced that product about six months ago. So, in the first two quarters, I mean, September quarter plus December quarter, indeed, is our first two quarters. So, the revenue is still relatively small, but because the profit is much better. So, OBO is a contributor, about 4% to our overall profit in that six months. And looking forward, it will continue to grow very quickly. So we are very happy to see more and more customers like DCPBS to speed up their data center view out with EGL for management, EGL for maintenance, and our part will continue to grow because of DCPBS especially.

Management: Thank you for your question.

Analyst Name (Ossie Merchant, Citi): Thank you. Next question is from the line of Ossie Merchant with Citi. Your line is open. Great, thank you for taking my question and good results here relative to the guide. I just had two quick ones one just you know there's a lot of discussion about component availability supply constraints, if you could just talk to us about your guide and relative to that. You know, is that minimum $40 billion guide, you know, a constraining number given the supply constraints? In other words, if supply wasn't an issue, could that number be greater? And then just on customer concentration, you know, I think the commentary suggested that some of the GOs did decline on a year-on-year basis as well as on a quarter-on-quarter basis. So again, relative to the guide, how should we think about the ramp of DCPBS across those various geographies for the back?

Quarter 2

Q1 2026 Earnings Call — November 4, 2025

Analyst: Our first question on historical data. We've, it's been our practice not to talk about backlog. Well, we couldn't help but talk about the orders that we received, the new orders that we received, the new design wins, because they did have some impacts in both the current quarter as well as the December quarter. And so, we were speaking to those. But we're not, we don't talk generally about backlog. So I'll take your second question on gross margin. So gross margins, I mean, I know you're trying to stay away from long-term guide, but previously I believe you've talked about this 15 to 16% long-term target for gross margins. Is that still intact but pushed out, or is that now, not up for grabs. Just curious, what's the thinking on that?

Executive: Yeah, back in 2000, I think in 2021, we came out with a 14% to 17% gross margin guide. That's probably what you're referring to as a long-term target. You know, the market has changed, and so we, in fact, we're right in the middle of a change right now as we move on to some very new dynamic platforms. And so we will give margin guidance as we can see it clearly. You know, we're doing our best to raise margins in a very competitive landscape. Yes, we would love to be back in double digits, but we'll give guidance when we can see it clearly. And hopefully it's not too far away. Indeed, if we focus more on DCPBS and enterprise account, then double-digit is easy for us. But at the same time, we are very interested to support a large-scale CSP as well. And so far, it looks like it's a great chance for us to service more large CSP customers as well. With large CSP customers and DCPBS enterprise together, our revenue will continue to grow very fast. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Analyst (Brandon Nispel, KeyBank):

The final question is from the line of Brandon Nispel with KeyBank. Hey, guys. Thanks for squeezing me in and taking the question. You know, I think echoing the same comments around gross margins that looking at the guidance, it really implies 0% contribution margin. And so, you know, I think revenue growth is great. But I was hoping you could really help us understand, you know, what's on the other side of this, right, in terms of, you know, help us understand what this business looks like from like a free cash flow contribution standpoint as you guys scale it. because you can't just keep going down the path of, you know, lower and lower gross margins, especially when the revenue coming in is at a 0% contribution margin, again, based on the midpoint of your guys' guidance. Thank you.

Executive: So, again, we believe that we can't name all of our customers, but I can tell you that we are bringing in you know, some of the best companies in the world. And we believe that our first to market practice of being able to bring, you know, reliable and optimized solutions quickly to market will reward us well. And this has been our practice over the last 32 years. And so we've consistently been first to market. We have shown that we can grow quicker than the market at large. And we've also shown that we can bring customized solutions, which bring very good margins and very good returns to the bottom line. So we're staying with our game plan. You know, right now, you know, the market is going through some new cycles with new, you know, kind of exciting new platforms coming out. We believe that this will pay off. So we're staying, of course. But sure, we will keep our bottom line. But sure, we will keep our bottom line, make sure we continue to make more total profit every quarter, every year. We see that as the face for sure when we have a chance to grow more market share. We try to grow more market share as well. My bottom line is make sure every quarter, every year, we make more total profit.

Analyst: Got it. Thank you, Charles. And, David, are there any, like, one-time costs with the design wins and the upgrade push-ups that fell into this quarter? in terms of, like, one-pack costs that you're absorbing in this quarter's gross margin guidance?

Executive: So, yeah, in terms of the December quarter, yes, there's a lot of additional engineering costs and expedite costs and overtime costs that result from delivering costs you know, kind of what would be twice our normal revenue run rate and scaling a new technology at what we believe would be one of the largest clusters, you know, in the world. So, yes, there are a lot of extra costs that go into that that we believe will actually prepare us for the upcoming quarters. It's basically our first gigawatt project, and hopefully we can make it perfectly complete. Understood. Thank you very much.

Executive: Thank you for your question. There are no additional questions waiting

at this time, so I'll pass the conference back to the management team for any closing remarks.

Thank you.

Executive: Thank you, everyone. That concludes the conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect your lines.