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    David Williams's questions to Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company LLC asked about the company's confidence in scaling its 99.5% fidelity to the upcoming 100+ qubit system and whether the overall technology roadmap could be accelerated.

    Answer

    CEO Subodh Kulkarni expressed high confidence in achieving the 100+ qubit system with 99.5% fidelity by year-end, attributing this to the scalability of their proprietary chiplet architecture. However, he cautioned that accelerating the 3-4 year timeline to quantum advantage is complex, as it requires hitting four key metrics simultaneously: 1,000+ qubits, 99.9%+ fidelity, error correction, and gate speeds under 50 nanoseconds. He noted that challenges in areas like system cabling and error correction remain.

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    David Williams's questions to Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked for more details about the recently won DARPA contract, including how it is expected to proceed, key milestones for Phase 1, and if there is revenue associated with each phase. He also inquired about the current level of customer interest in acquiring Rigetti's quantum processors directly.

    Answer

    CEO Subodh Kulkarni explained that the DARPA project aims to build a utility-scale quantum computer within seven years and that Phase A is a six-month vetting process. To advance, Rigetti must execute its public roadmap of demonstrating chiplets with over 100 qubits and high fidelity. He noted Phase A includes a $1 million award, viewed as strategic rather than monetary. On customer interest, Kulkarni stated the market is still in an R&D phase, with sales being lumpy and government-driven, and that the lack of NQI reauthorization is currently constraining academic orders.

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    David Williams's questions to Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company asked about Rigetti's key intellectual property differentiators compared to competitors like IBM and Google. He also questioned whether the company's IP is compelling enough to potentially force others into licensing agreements in the future and inquired about the current state of customer demand for QPUs.

    Answer

    CEO Subodh Kulkarni highlighted three main differentiators: the company's open modular architecture, its leading chiplet/tiling approach to scaling, and proprietary fabrication processes like its unique annealing technique. He noted that while the IP portfolio of nearly 230 patents is strong, it is too early for licensing discussions, which often result in cross-licensing among R&D leaders. Kulkarni reiterated that current customer demand is from the academic and research community for fundamental studies, with broad commercial applications still projected to be 4-5 years away.

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    David Williams's questions to Rigetti Computing Inc (RGTI) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked about the increased confidence in Rigetti's technology roadmap, whether progress in areas like chip tiling is outpacing expectations, and for an update on government funding opportunities.

    Answer

    CEO Subodh Kulkarni confirmed that confidence is high due to successfully producing high-fidelity 9-qubit chips and demonstrating the ability to tile them without performance degradation. He emphasized that this multi-chip strategy leverages proven CMOS industry techniques and is crucial for scaling. Kulkarni also noted that while the expiration of the NQI Act has impacted near-term financials, the company is actively lobbying for its reauthorization and pursuing other opportunities, such as a significant DARPA project.

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    David Williams's questions to MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI) leadership

    David Williams's questions to MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company, LLC asked about the factors driving demand for MACOM's lower-speed data center products and the ongoing financial impact from the underutilization of the Lowell fab.

    Answer

    President and CEO Stephen Daly confirmed that the expansion of AI data centers is driving demand for traditional, lower-data-rate products for the 'front-end' infrastructure connecting to the internet. Regarding the Lowell fab, Daly clarified that the lower-data-rate drivers and TIAs are not processed there, so their growth does not directly impact its utilization. He did not comment on the specific margin impact of the Lowell fab's utilization.

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    David Williams's questions to MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked for an outlook on Data Center spending budgets for the current and next fiscal year, key technology growth drivers, and the potential size and development pace of the satellite communications (SATCOM) market.

    Answer

    President and CEO Stephen Daly noted that cloud service providers continue to invest heavily in data centers, driving innovation in high-speed connectivity like CPO, NPO, and LPO, which expands MACOM's addressable market. On SATCOM, Daly highlighted the growing opportunity driven by new product lines like the Opto-Amp optical amplifier and the industry's shift to higher frequencies (Ka, Q, V, and W-bands), which play to MACOM's strengths.

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    David Williams's questions to MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked for more details on the DoD satellite programs and the associated revenue opportunity, and also inquired about any changes in data center customer spending expectations.

    Answer

    President and CEO Stephen Daly projected continued strength in the satellite market for the next 3-5 years, driven by both commercial and DoD demand in high-frequency bands. He noted MACOM is well-positioned with its RF, microwave, and optical solutions, and mentioned a $55 million contract whose revenue will ramp in late fiscal 2025 and 2026. Regarding data center spending, Daly expressed a bullish outlook, highlighting future growth from optical components for silicon photonics and PAM4 solutions for PCIe 6 and 7.

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    David Williams's questions to MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings Inc (MTSI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked for more detail on the Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) opportunity, specifically when MACOM expects the technology to begin taking market share at 800G. He also inquired about any recent changes in customer deployment strategies for active copper cables.

    Answer

    CEO Stephen Daly explained that LPO is gaining significant industry interest, with the LPO MSA growing to nearly 19 members. He anticipates LPO will start taking a portion of the market over the next one to two years, primarily at the 800G data rate. Regarding copper cables, Daly noted the Data Center market's inherent volatility, acknowledging some customers are discussing using less copper. However, he emphasized that MACOM's diversified portfolio across optical, copper, and pluggable modules mitigates risk from any single architectural shift.

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    David Williams's questions to D-Wave Quantum Inc (QBTS) leadership

    David Williams's questions to D-Wave Quantum Inc (QBTS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company LLC asked about the significance of the new cryogenic packaging initiative and its impact on D-Wave's technology roadmap.

    Answer

    CEO Alan Baratz described the initiative as critically important for scaling both annealing and gate model systems. He stated that this technology, developed with NASA's JPL, enables multi-chip solutions with superconducting interconnects, which is essential for achieving their 100,000-qubit goal and advancing their gate model program.

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    David Williams's questions to D-Wave Quantum Inc (QBTS) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company asked how the strengthened balance sheet might alter the company's go-to-market strategy or accelerate R&D. He also inquired about the changing customer perception following the quantum supremacy results, particularly in contrast to skepticism from other industry leaders.

    Answer

    CEO Alan Baratz stated that the capital could accelerate the gate-model program and the new multi-chip scaling approach, and will support a significant expansion of the go-to-market team. Regarding customer perception, he acknowledged the supremacy result is technical but has broad applicability, hinting at further announcements related to AI at the upcoming NVIDIA GTC conference. CFO John Markovich added they are evaluating where to increase investment rates.

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    David Williams's questions to D-Wave Quantum Inc (QBTS) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked about the implications of recent Chinese research that used D-Wave's system for encryption-breaking, questioning if it was a 'double-edged sword'. He also sought further clarification on the National Quantum Initiative Act (NQIA) and its specific opportunities for annealing technology.

    Answer

    CEO Alan Baratz clarified that the research, while interesting, only advanced factoring capabilities from 17 to 22 bits, which is nowhere near the 2,000 bits required to break current RSA encryption. He affirmed that D-Wave does not sell to China and is tightening access controls. Baratz also distinguished between the National Defense Authorization Act, which already includes favorable language for annealing, and the NQIA, a broader R&D funding bill awaiting reauthorization.

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    David Williams's questions to Power Integrations Inc (POWI) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Power Integrations Inc (POWI) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked about the risk level embedded in the Q3 guidance given tariff uncertainties, inquired about booking trends at the end of the quarter, and asked new CEO Jen Lloyd for her high-level strategic vision for Power Integrations.

    Answer

    CFO Sandeep Nayyar explained that the guidance reflects a significant slowdown in bookings in July, which were down nearly 20% from the normal run rate. He attributed this to caution around tariffs, which led to front-running in the appliance business during the first half of the year. President and CEO Jen Lloyd stated her strategic focus is on improving R&D efficiency to invigorate growth and achieve the company's double-digit growth model, with a particular emphasis on high-value markets like data centers and automotive.

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    David Williams's questions to Power Integrations Inc (POWI) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the automotive segment, asking about the nature of recent design wins, their ramp-up process, and performance relative to initial expectations. He also sought clarity on the drivers behind the confident outlook for the industrial segment, given broader market weakness.

    Answer

    CEO Balu Balakrishnan stated that automotive design wins are exceeding expectations, although long-term customer forecasts have moderated with revised EV projections. He confirmed the company is on track for high single-digit million-dollar revenue in automotive this year, targeting a $100 million run-rate by 2029. He attributed the strong industrial outlook to specific design wins in high-voltage DC transmission, locomotives in India, and renewables, noting that these specific programs are driving growth.

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    David Williams's questions to Power Integrations Inc (POWI) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the increased confidence in high-power GaN for applications like EV drivetrains and asked for an update on automotive design wins and the expected revenue trajectory from GaN in the automotive sector.

    Answer

    CEO Balu Balakrishnan explained that significant technological strides, accelerated by the Odyssey Semiconductor acquisition, have boosted confidence in addressing high-power applications up to 50 kilowatts. He noted that while the ~20 current automotive production designs use silicon or silicon carbide, new 900V and 1700V GaN products are securing design wins for 400V and 800V battery systems, with future opportunities in DC-to-DC converters and onboard chargers.

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    David Williams's questions to Power Integrations Inc (POWI) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the demand drivers and market applications for Power Integrations' new 1,700-volt GaN product and asked about the potential business impact from the U.S. election on renewables and energy efficiency regulations.

    Answer

    CEO Balu Balakrishnan explained that the 1,700-volt GaN product is ideal for 800-volt and 1,000-volt automotive battery systems and 3-phase industrial applications, offering a superior cost and efficiency alternative to silicon carbide. He expressed confidence that trends toward EVs, renewables, and high-voltage DC transmission are resilient and not dependent on political outcomes, noting that renewables are now more cost-effective than coal and that DC transmission is critical for grid modernization and new power sources like AI data centers.

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    David Williams's questions to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd (AOSL) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd (AOSL) leadership • Q4 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company, LLC asked about the company's manufacturing strategy regarding internal versus third-party capacity following the JV sale, the impact of tariffs on its Asian manufacturing footprint, and the general demand sentiment from customers for the second half of the year.

    Answer

    CFO Yifan Liang stated the $150M from the JV sale provides capital and flexibility to evaluate both internal and external production based on needs, emphasizing the deal's value creation. She also noted that the direct impact from tariffs is not significant, but the company is prepared to adjust its supply chain to support customers. CEO Stephen Chang added that customer sentiment varies by market, with tariff-related pull-ins in PCs, continued strength in AI and graphics, and seasonal demand for smartphones.

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    David Williams's questions to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd (AOSL) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company inquired about the magnitude of PC-related demand pull-ins, the success in graphics cards, the direct impact of tariffs, and the drivers behind the stronger-than-expected gross margin guidance for the upcoming quarter.

    Answer

    Executive Stephen Chang quantified that about half of the $6 million revenue beat could be attributed to notebook pull-ins due to tariffs, a trend expected to continue. He also highlighted growing shipments for new graphics and AI accelerator cards. CFO Yifan Liang explained that direct tariff exposure is minimal as U.S. shipments are low, and the improved margin guidance is due to a better product mix and higher factory utilization.

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    David Williams's questions to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd (AOSL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the AI opportunity, asking for more detail on the timing of revenue contribution and the potential magnitude of the revenue step-up from this new area. He also questioned the gross margin outlook for the next 12-18 months and the extent of any demand pull-in related to tariff uncertainty.

    Answer

    Executive Stephen Chang stated that the AI data center opportunity has the potential to be 'multiples bigger' than the graphics card business due to significantly higher power requirements, though market share is still to be determined, with a target for a mid-year launch. He also noted that tariff uncertainty was causing some demand pull-in for the Computing segment, but not a huge amount. Executive Yifan Liang projected that non-GAAP gross margin, after dipping in the March quarter, could recover to December quarter levels by the June quarter, driven by an improved product mix.

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    David Williams's questions to Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd (AOSL) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked about the current competitive landscape, particularly regarding the graphics card business, and whether the market has returned to typical seasonal trends.

    Answer

    Executive Stephen Chang acknowledged that overall competition has increased during the market correction period. However, he stated that for the upcoming graphics card platform transition, AOSL expects less competition due to its total solution offering. Chang confirmed that seasonality has returned to the computing and consumer markets, but a full PC market recovery is still pending. The company aims to offset this by increasing its Bill of Materials (BOM) content and expanding into AI accelerator cards.

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    David Williams's questions to IONQ Inc (IONQ) leadership

    David Williams's questions to IONQ Inc (IONQ) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked CEO Niccolo de Masi to rank the most exciting recent developments and inquired about the outlook for operating expenses and the potential timeline to profitability following recent acquisitions.

    Answer

    CEO & Chairman Niccolo de Masi declined to rank developments, stating the focus is on leading in both quantum computing and networking, as the combination creates a significant competitive moat. CFO Thomas Kramer explained that the primary objective is accelerating the roadmap to delight customers and capture the market, which will save money long-term, rather than focusing on short-term profitability. De Masi added that this investment has created a commanding lead over competitors.

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    David Williams's questions to IONQ Inc (IONQ) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the financial impact of recent and proposed acquisitions on revenue and cost structure, and also asked for IonQ's long-term vision for the quantum internet.

    Answer

    CFO Thomas Kramer stated that the acquisitions are expected to be accretive and strengthen future revenue growth, though interim investment costs will be incurred. He noted that guidance already included inorganic sources. Executive Chairman Peter Chapman detailed the quantum internet vision, explaining that Lightsynq's repeater technology will overcome current distance limitations for ground-based networks, while the Capella acquisition provides the capability to develop and harden hardware for space-based quantum networks.

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    David Williams's questions to IONQ Inc (IONQ) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company, LLC inquired about potential strategic shifts following the CEO transition, the M&A strategy behind the Qubitekk and ID Quantique acquisitions, the strength of the hardware sales pipeline, and the intended use of the new $500 million at-the-market facility.

    Answer

    Executive Chair Peter Chapman and CEO Niccolo de Masi affirmed strategic continuity, describing the leadership change as a "bandwidth expansion" to allow Chapman to focus on Quantum AI. De Masi highlighted that the acquisitions build a significant patent moat and expand their geographic footprint. Chapman noted a busy international RFP pipeline for computer sales and explained the $500 million ATM is to fund growth in the new quantum networking TAM and in high-potential application areas.

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    David Williams's questions to IONQ Inc (IONQ) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company asked about the strategic synergies of the Qubitekk acquisition, IonQ's plans for the quantum sensing market, and how the new application development partnerships differ from previous projects.

    Answer

    CEO Peter Chapman explained that the Qubitekk acquisition is synergistic with IonQ's internal photonic networking for scaling computers and also adds a new product line, expanding the company's total addressable market. He positioned quantum sensing as a related field that often relies on quantum networking infrastructure. Chapman clarified that recent partnerships with AstraZeneca and ANSYS are focused on creating production-grade applications timed with hardware readiness, a strategic shift from prior, smaller-scale R&D engagements.

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    David Williams's questions to Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS) leadership • Q1 2026

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company asked for more detail on the shift towards a more first-half weighted seasonality, questioning the relative impact of content versus volume. He also inquired about emerging AI-related opportunities in laptops, Android, and other areas beyond the company's largest customer.

    Answer

    CEO John Forsyth explained that the seasonality shift is influenced by three main factors: potential tariff-related pull-ins, a more complex global supply chain requiring parts earlier, and a growing mix of camera content, which has a longer manufacturing timeline and thus ships earlier. He emphasized the full-year outlook remains unchanged. On AI, Forsyth stated the company aims to be a key enabler, particularly through voice-centric interfaces and power-efficient solutions, seeing significant potential to transform user experiences in laptops and other future devices.

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    David Williams's questions to Cirrus Logic Inc (CRUS) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the drivers behind the record-high gross margin and asked for an estimate of the total addressable market and revenue potential for the company's laptop business.

    Answer

    CEO John Forsyth attributed the strong gross margin to a favorable product mix and significant progress in improving supply chain costs and yields for new products. For the laptop market, he sized the addressable opportunity as approaching half of the 200-220 million annual unit market. He reiterated the revenue ramp from low tens of millions in FY25, with an expectation for that to roughly double in FY26.

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    David Williams's questions to Belden Inc (BDC) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Belden Inc (BDC) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about the demand outlook for the second half of 2025, including potential risks and upsides, and also inquired about forward-looking margin performance and EBITDA fall-through.

    Answer

    CEO Ashish Chand highlighted steady improvement in the Automation Solutions business, citing growth in key geographies and verticals like discrete manufacturing. He noted more uncertainty in Smart Infrastructure and some broadband project delays. CFO Jeremy Parks reaffirmed the company's model for a roughly 25% incremental EBITDA margin on a year-over-year basis, indicating no fundamental changes to profitability expectations.

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    David Williams's questions to Belden Inc (BDC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company asked for a way to quantify the level of customer discussions and activity related to U.S. reindustrialization. He also questioned if Belden was observing any significant demand pull-forward from customers.

    Answer

    CEO Ashish Chand explained that while it's difficult to quantify exact bookings, the portion of the sales funnel related to full solutions for U.S. reshoring has grown into the high teens. He added that Belden has not seen any material demand pull-in, as its solutions are engineered and well-planned, but has seen an increase in "interest pull-in" and early discussions.

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    David Williams's questions to Belden Inc (BDC) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company asked about the nature of customer conversations regarding future investment plans and how Belden's M&A strategy is balanced between software and hardware acquisitions.

    Answer

    CEO Ashish Chand responded that customer project funnels are up mid-to-high single digits since the start of the year, with a qualitative shift toward customers seeking integrated IT/OT solutions, which aligns perfectly with Belden's solutions strategy. Regarding M&A, he stated that the company remains focused on three key areas: edge hardware with embedded software, wireless technologies, and security enhancements, as exemplified by the recent Voleatech acquisition.

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    David Williams's questions to Littelfuse Inc (LFUS) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Littelfuse Inc (LFUS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about the outlook for the power semiconductor business, specifically when improved orders might translate into meaningful leverage and financial impact. He also questioned whether the broad-based demand improvement represents a true market inflection or could be influenced by factors like tariff-related pull-forwards.

    Answer

    President & CEO Greg Henderson noted that while the power semiconductor market has been soft, the company is seeing signs of stabilization and improving orders, leading to expectations of positive sequential momentum. He stated that overall end market visibility has improved compared to 3-6 months ago. EVP & CFO Abhi Khandelwal supported this by highlighting the Q3 guidance for 6% year-over-year organic growth, indicating confidence in sustained demand rather than a temporary pull-forward.

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    David Williams's questions to Littelfuse Inc (LFUS) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company inquired about customer feedback regarding tariffs and demand, the deployment strategy for the company's "complete solutions" initiative, and the current state of the passives business regarding constraints and inventory.

    Answer

    CEO Greg Henderson reported that while Littelfuse entered Q2 with a strong backlog and a positive Q1 book-to-bill, customers are expressing anxiety about second-half demand, particularly in automotive and personal electronics. He explained that the "complete solutions" strategy, already successful in areas like grid storage and data centers, will be scaled more broadly by fostering more collaboration between business units. Regarding passives, Henderson and CFO Meenal Sethna reiterated the strong Q1 performance and backlog, expressing confidence in the Q2 outlook, which anticipates continued growth in the Electronics segment.

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    David Williams's questions to Littelfuse Inc (LFUS) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company asked about the potential business impact of new tariffs, particularly concerning China and EVs. He also inquired about the company's 5-year strategy and long-term outlook, inviting comments from the incoming CEO.

    Answer

    CEO Dave Heinzmann stated that while tariffs get the company's attention, they have experience from 2017 and have since worked to align manufacturing footprints with customer regions. He outlined a process of working with customers to mitigate impacts and ultimately passing on costs if necessary. On strategy, he noted the Investor Day was postponed to allow incoming CEO Greg Henderson time to get situated. Greg Henderson added that he sees Littelfuse as a great franchise with strong market position and technology, and he is excited for the next phase of growth.

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    David Williams's questions to Littelfuse Inc (LFUS) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams inquired if there has been any change in the average dollar value of design wins. He also asked whether the downturn in the industrial segment is driven more by customer cautiousness or fundamental demand weakness, and requested color on regional performance differences.

    Answer

    President and CEO Dave Heinzmann described Littelfuse's business as winning 'singles and doubles' rather than 'home runs,' and stated that the size of design wins has remained consistent. The only recent shift is a longer design-to-production cycle in electronics. Regarding the industrial market, he attributed the softness to a mix of factors, including cautiousness on factory investments due to interest rates and a trend toward more last-minute orders as customers manage year-end inventory. He specified that the weakness is most pronounced in Europe and China, while North America remains more stable.

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    David Williams's questions to Plexus Corp (PLXS) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Plexus Corp (PLXS) leadership • Q3 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about the nature of recent pushouts in the semi-cap business and the demand outlook for the commercial aerospace sector, specifically regarding production rates from major manufacturers. He also followed up on the potential impact of new tax legislation on CapEx and market demand.

    Answer

    EVP & COO Oliver Mihm clarified that semi-cap pushouts were due to program-specific timing and not a loss of demand. CEO Todd Kelsey stated that while the expected pull-in from Boeing and Airbus has not yet materialized, the defense and space subsectors are showing strong demand, particularly in Europe. EVP & CFO Patrick Jermain noted that new tax legislation does not alter their CapEx plans, though CEO Todd Kelsey acknowledged potential long-term market benefits for engineering, rural health, and clean energy.

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    David Williams's questions to Plexus Corp (PLXS) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked about the impact of potential tariffs on Plexus's strategy and customer forecasts, as well as the capital expenditure and timeline required to bring a new facility online.

    Answer

    CEO Todd Kelsey explained that customers are currently in a 'wait-and-see' mode regarding tariffs, with no impact on demand yet, and noted Plexus is well-positioned with its regional strategy and available capacity. CFO Pat Jermain and COO Oliver Mihm added that while a new facility would take 4-6 quarters to build, the company is currently focused on expanding capacity within existing sites through automation and efficiency improvements.

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    David Williams's questions to Plexus Corp (PLXS) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams inquired about the specific drivers of weakness in the broader Industrial segment outside of semicap and asked about the growth outlook for the Aerospace and Defense sector, questioning if factors beyond commercial aerospace were causing softness.

    Answer

    President and CEO Todd Kelsey confirmed high-teens growth expectations for the semicap subsector, driven by share gains, not just market trends. EVP and COO Oliver Mihm added that broader industrial softness is impacting communications, measurement, and automation but is expected to improve long-term. Regarding Aerospace and Defense, Todd Kelsey reiterated that the long-term outlook is strong but near-term commercial aerospace production issues are dampening fiscal 2025 growth, while defense and space subsectors remain strong. He also noted the company has adopted a conservative forecasting bias for the sector.

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    David Williams's questions to Plexus Corp (PLXS) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked about the full-year fiscal 2025 outlook for the aerospace and defense sector, particularly concerning risks from the unresolved Boeing contract. He also inquired about the SemiCap equipment space, including any concerns and the basis for demand forecasts.

    Answer

    President and CEO Todd Kelsey explained that the company's aerospace and defense forecast is conservative regarding the Boeing situation, which could provide potential upside. He still anticipates strong, potentially double-digit growth for fiscal 2025, driven by defense program ramps. For SemiCap, Kelsey confirmed a conservative view but expects Plexus to outgrow the market due to share gains, projecting growth well into the double-digits.

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    David Williams's questions to Maxlinear Inc (MXL) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Maxlinear Inc (MXL) leadership • Q2 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked about the business dynamics in China and MaxLinear's technology roadmap for silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO).

    Answer

    CEO Kishore Seendripu described China as a mixed market, with weakness in industrial but a significant long-term opportunity in data centers. He confirmed MaxLinear is developing CPO solutions with partners but sees it as a niche application, with pluggable optics remaining dominant.

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    David Williams's questions to Maxlinear Inc (MXL) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked for an update on the design win progress and revenue ramp for the Keystone PAM4 DSP, and requested details on the potential size and timing of the ramp with a second major North American Tier 1 carrier for its PON solutions.

    Answer

    CEO Kishore Seendripu highlighted significant progress, with about 20 Keystone-based designs showcased at the Optical Fiber Conference. He reiterated expectations for optical revenue to double this year to the $60-$70 million range, with potential to double again in 2026. Regarding the new Tier 1 PON win, he described it as a major validation with a larger player, expecting a meaningful revenue ramp in 2026 that could help double the company's overall PON business from its current ~$50 million base.

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    David Williams's questions to Maxlinear Inc (MXL) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams from The Benchmark Company requested an update on the ramp and demand trends for the 2.5Gb Ethernet PHY product, Swan Creek, and asked about regional demand dynamics.

    Answer

    CEO Kishore Seendripu described Swan Creek as a highly successful product with strong traction. A ramp with a Tier 1 OEM, delayed from late 2024, is now expected to proceed, positioning the product line to potentially reach $100M/year in revenue over 2-3 years. He noted design activity is centered in Taiwan/China for U.S. and China end markets.

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    David Williams's questions to Maxlinear Inc (MXL) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked about the market traction and 2025 revenue contribution expectations for the 2.5G Ethernet "Swan Creek" product. He also inquired about the go-to-market strategy for the new MaxAI framework and how the company plans to monetize it.

    Answer

    CEO Kishore Seendripu described the adoption of their 2.5G Ethernet solution as "excellent," with potential to become a $50 million to $100 million business on an annualized run-rate basis within three years. Regarding MaxAI, he explained it will be a hybrid model, with some features offered as a standard competitive differentiator and others developed as customized, monetizable solutions for large customers on a "pay to play" basis.

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    David Williams's questions to Diodes Inc (DIOD) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Diodes Inc (DIOD) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company asked about the sustainability of current demand momentum, questioning if recent tariff announcements are causing a pull-in of orders. He also inquired how the tariff situation might alter Diodes' manufacturing strategy and sought details on regional trends for AI-related capital expenditures.

    Answer

    Executive Emily Yang stated that while tariffs create uncertainty, the company is not seeing significant order pull-ins. Instead, she pointed to positive signs of recovery like depleted channel inventory and improved book-to-bill ratios. Executive Gary Yu affirmed that the company's hybrid manufacturing model and global footprint provide flexibility to mitigate tariff impacts and that their strategy of porting products to internal fabs remains unchanged. Emily Yang added that AI-related demand is ramping, especially from hyperscalers, with a large future opportunity in edge computing and a focus on increasing content per server.

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    David Williams's questions to Diodes Inc (DIOD) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    In a follow-up, David Williams from The Benchmark Company asked about current pricing trends and the specific drivers behind the significant growth in Diodes' content per AI server.

    Answer

    Executive Emily Yang confirmed that pricing remains stable, with typical erosion of 1.5-2% per quarter, noting the company is de-emphasizing more competitive commodity areas. She attributed the increased AI server content to an expanding product portfolio and strong demand for products like PCI Express packet switches, which are needed for additional ports in AI systems. Executive Gary Yu added that new product introductions help balance pricing pressures.

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    David Williams's questions to Diodes Inc (DIOD) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked for details on the demand improvement seen in Asia, its specific drivers, and the expected trend into Q4 and next year. He also inquired about the pressure on Q4 gross margin guidance and the company's strategic thinking regarding its China exposure given potential administrative changes.

    Answer

    Executive Emily Yang detailed that the strong Asia demand was broad-based, with China's automotive market being a key growth driver. She provided a Q4 outlook, expecting softness in auto and industrial but flat-to-up performance in computing. Executive Brett Whitmire attributed Q4 gross margin pressure to product mix and underutilization from strategic capacity investments, but expects a recovery in 2025. Regarding China, Emily Yang and Executive Gary Yu emphasized the company's flexibility through its hybrid manufacturing model and its focus on growth opportunities within the local Chinese market, stating they are prepared to adapt to any policy changes.

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    David Williams's questions to Lattice Semiconductor Corp (LSCC) leadership

    David Williams's questions to Lattice Semiconductor Corp (LSCC) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked about Lattice's penetration and content growth opportunities in the server market, especially with AI, and which areas might prove most resilient. He also requested a way to quantify the magnitude of the company's record-paced design win pipeline.

    Answer

    CEO Fouad Tamer confirmed that Lattice continues to find new and durable opportunities in servers related to AI, security, and connectivity. Regarding the design win pipeline, he described the funnel as 'quite strong' and representing a value of 'multiple, multiple times the revenue,' which gives the company confidence in its growth trajectory for 2026 and 2027, though he declined to provide a specific dollar figure.

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    David Williams's questions to Lattice Semiconductor Corp (LSCC) leadership • Q4 2024

    Question

    David Williams asked for specifics on demand within the automotive segment, questioning which applications like electrification or ADAS were driving strength. He also inquired about the strategic purpose of the new R&D center in India, asking if it was primarily for cost optimization or to pursue market opportunities in the region.

    Answer

    CEO Ford Tamer explained that Lattice has design wins across numerous automotive applications, including infotainment, ADAS, and electrification, viewing it as a long-term growth driver. He highlighted the growing opportunity in 'far edge AI' near sensors. Regarding the India R&D center, he cited three benefits: accessing a strong local talent pool, serving direct customers in India, and supporting global OEM partners who are expanding their manufacturing footprint in the country.

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    David Williams's questions to Lattice Semiconductor Corp (LSCC) leadership • Q3 2024

    Question

    David Williams of The Benchmark Company asked about the design win pipeline, questioning if customer product launch delays are having an impact and how that could inflect during a recovery. He also requested more color on the 14% headcount reduction and any potential impact on future development.

    Answer

    CEO Fouad Tamer expressed excitement about the broad design win footprint across top-tier OEMs, driven by differentiation in low power and small size. Regarding the headcount reduction, he stated the action is complete and was a necessary measure to maintain financial discipline. He assured that there is no impact on the product roadmap, as the changes primarily involved shifting resources from high-cost to lower-cost geographies to balance the global team.

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    David Williams's questions to ON Semiconductor Corp (ON) leadership

    David Williams's questions to ON Semiconductor Corp (ON) leadership • Q1 2025

    Question

    David Williams asked for the revenue run rate required to reach full capacity utilization after the recent fab reductions and inquired about the silicon carbide competitive dynamics within China's domestic market.

    Answer

    CFO Thad Trent explained that a specific revenue number for full utilization is difficult to provide due to product mix, but the ramp-up should be linear. CEO Hassane El-Khoury reiterated that onsemi competes on performance against global peers in China's SiC market, not local suppliers, as Chinese OEMs targeting global markets prioritize technology leadership, which onsemi maintains through its roadmap and flexible supply chain.

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