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    AMBARELLA (AMBA)

    AMBA Q1 2026: $85.9M Rev, Guides 19-25% Growth Amid Geo Uncertainty

    Reported on Jun 4, 2025 (After Market Close)
    Pre-Earnings Price$62.00Last close (May 29, 2025)
    Post-Earnings Price$59.10Open (May 30, 2025)
    Price Change
    $-2.90(-4.68%)
    • Expanding edge infrastructure opportunity: The executives highlighted a massive installed base of 1.2 billion cameras that require upgrading through edge infrastructure solutions integrating multiple cameras per box, suggesting a substantial recurring revenue potential as the company leverages its advanced AI technology.
    • Robust innovation with new chip development: The discussion emphasized accelerating product innovation through the development of a second chip based on their third-generation CV4 architecture, ensuring competitive performance per watt and positioning Ambarella to capitalize on emerging market demands.
    • Diversification and strong market share in high-end segments: Executives noted their leadership in the mid- to high-end security camera market outside of China along with growth in automotive, industrial, and enterprise IoT applications, which supports a diversified revenue base and long-term growth potential.
    • Geopolitical and Seasonality Uncertainty: Executives highlighted ongoing geopolitical risks that force them to build broad guidance ranges, creating uncertainty around future seasonality and revenue predictability.
    • Execution Risk on New AI Chip Development: The accelerated pull-forward of a second AI chip for edge infrastructure, while leveraging the current architecture, introduces execution risks that could impact product quality and focus from established segments.
    • Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Despite customers currently not building extra inventory, persistent geopolitical uncertainty could exacerbate supply chain challenges in future quarters, potentially impacting revenue stability.
    MetricYoY ChangeReason

    Total Revenue (Q1 2026)

    Not explicitly compared numerically, current value: $85,872K

    Total revenue of $85,872K in Q1 2026 reflects continuity in market demand possibly buoyed by earlier period momentum. Although no prior Q1 revenue number was provided, the sustained sales activity indicates that favorable market conditions and likely expanded customer adoption observed previously continue to drive top‐line growth.

    Operating Cash Flow

    Improved from –$37,932K in Q1 2025 to +$14,801K in Q1 2026

    Operating cash flow turning positive is likely due to improved underlying operational performance—including lower net losses adjusted for non-cash items and beneficial working capital changes—which built on the corrective actions observed in prior periods that helped reverse earlier cash flow deficits.

    Gross Profit / Operating Loss / Net Loss

    Not directly expressed as a YoY percentage change; current Q1 2026: Gross Profit $51,536K; Operating Loss ($25,858K); Net Loss ($24,328K)

    Healthy gross profit of $51,536K contrasts with sizeable operating and net losses in Q1 2026, indicating that while the company is achieving robust revenue generation at the top-line, underlying expenses (such as R&D, SG&A, and other operating costs) remain high. This pattern, when viewed in light of prior periods, suggests that cost management continues to be a challenge.

    Total Assets

    Increased approximately 10% YoY, from $638,660K in Q1 2025 to $701,918K in Q1 2026

    Total assets grew by about 10% mainly driven by the expansion of current assets—including higher investments in marketable debt securities and rising receivables—as established in previous periods. This continued asset accumulation underlines the company’s ongoing strategy of enhancing liquidity and supporting future growth.

    Total Liabilities

    Surged by about 55% YoY, from $83,235K in Q1 2025 to $129,202K in Q1 2026

    Total liabilities jumped by around 55%, a change that appears to be driven by increased current liabilities such as accrued expenses and deferred revenue, echoing past trends where funds from customer cash advances and higher project-related costs contributed to upward pressure on liabilities.

    Marketable Debt Securities

    Increased from $105,643K in Q4 2025 to $118,102K in Q1 2026 (an increase of over 5%)

    The more than 5% increase in marketable debt securities indicates that the company is maintaining an aggressive liquidity management strategy, further investing in attractive debt instruments amid a favorable interest rate environment—a trend that accelerated from prior periods.

    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    Revenue ($USD Millions)

    Q2 2026

    no prior guidance

    $86M to $94M

    no prior guidance

    Gross Margin (Non-GAAP, %)

    Q2 2026

    no prior guidance

    60.5% to 62%

    no prior guidance

    Operating Expenses (Non-GAAP, $USD Millions)

    Q2 2026

    no prior guidance

    $52.5M to $55.5M

    no prior guidance

    Net Interest and Other Income ($USD Millions)

    Q2 2026

    no prior guidance

    $1.8M

    no prior guidance

    Tax Expense (Non-GAAP, $USD Millions)

    Q2 2026

    no prior guidance

    $0.8M

    no prior guidance

    Diluted Share Count (Millions)

    Q2 2026

    no prior guidance

    42.6M

    no prior guidance

    MetricPeriodGuidanceActualPerformance
    Revenue
    Q1 2026
    $81 million to $87 million
    $85.872 million
    Met
    Net Interest Income
    Q1 2026
    $1.8 million
    $2.175 million
    Beat
    Non-GAAP Tax Expense
    Q1 2026
    $600,000
    $645,000
    Met
    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    Robust new product pipeline and innovation

    Discussed consistently in Q2, Q3, and Q4 with focus on new product families (CV5, CV7, CV3-AD) and record AI revenue

    Emphasized in Q1 2026 with continued focus on edge AI strategy, new AI SoC product families, and expansion into edge infrastructure

    Recurring emphasis with an added focus on leveraging AI for edge infrastructure and expanding market reach.

    Advanced AI chip development and next‐generation technologies

    Addressed across Q2, Q3 and Q4 with themes of 2‑nanometer development, Gen AI integration, and improved performance per watt

    Q1 2026 highlighted the development of a new AI SoC product family and the acceleration of a second AI chip for edge infrastructure

    Consistent focus with an evolving strategic push toward AI infrastructure and incorporation of advanced technologies.

    Expanding edge infrastructure opportunity for upgrading a massive legacy camera base

    Not mentioned in Q2, Q3, or Q4 earnings calls

    Introduced in Q1 2026 as a significant opportunity to upgrade a 1.2 billion camera installed base through edge solutions

    New topic that emerged in Q1 2026, highlighting a strategic opportunity for legacy system upgrades.

    IoT and automotive market dynamics with shifting sentiment

    Recurring discussion in Q2, Q3, and Q4 focusing on strong IoT growth and mixed automotive performance with detailed segmental analysis

    In Q1 2026, IoT now accounts for about 75% of revenue with strong adoption while automotive shows robust YoY growth despite sequential declines

    Recurring topic with evolving sentiment: very positive for IoT, while automotive remains strong year‐over‐year but faces near‑term headwinds.

    Geopolitical, tariff, and supply chain uncertainties

    Discussed in detail in Q4 and Q3 (and mentioned in Q4 about China, tariffs, and policy risks) with caution on external factors

    Q1 2026 addressed ongoing geopolitical and tariff uncertainties with conservative guidance, noting no significant inventory buildup by customers

    Consistently raised each period; sentiment remains cautious but stable across periods.

    Declining legacy product margins and transition risks away from traditional video processors

    Raised in Q2, Q3, and Q4 regarding a slow decline rate (10‑15% annually) and margin pressure from legacy product mix

    Not explicitly discussed in Q1 2026 earnings call

    A recurring challenge that is now less emphasized in Q1 2026, suggesting a possible maturation of the transition strategy.

    Execution risks in accelerated AI chip development

    Not explicitly mentioned in Q2, Q3 or Q4 discussions regarding execution challenges

    No specific reference to execution risks in Q1 2026, though fast development using existing architecture was noted

    This topic has not been a focal point in any period, indicating confidence in current execution capabilities.

    1. Full-Year Guidance
      Q: Guidance impact from tariffs?
      A: Management stated full-year revenue growth remains robust at about 19%-25%, with Q1 revenue at $85.9M and built‑in uncertainty for the second half due to geopolitical factors.

    2. Gross Margin Outlook
      Q: What drives margin decline next quarter?
      A: They explained that a shift in customer mix and product mix—reflected in Q1’s 62% non‑GAAP gross margin—will likely lead to slightly lower margins next quarter.

    3. Edge Infrastructure
      Q: What is meant by edge infrastructure?
      A: Management described it as an integrated box that aggregates roughly 16–32 cameras to upgrade the installed base with advanced AI, opening new revenue opportunities.

    4. Market Share (Ex-China)
      Q: What is your market share outside China?
      A: They indicated a dominant position in the mid‑ and high‑end security camera market outside China, reinforcing strong competitive positioning.

    5. Product Pipeline & Robotics
      Q: Is robotics investment a priority?
      A: Management confirmed ongoing investments in automotive and robotics platforms, comparing robotics growth today to early autonomous driving stages, which supports a robust future product pipeline.

    6. Supply Chain Stability
      Q: Any concerns over the supply chain?
      A: They noted that customers are not building excess inventory; current supply chain practices are stable despite geopolitical uncertainty, supported by strong demand.

    7. Accounts Payable Increase
      Q: Why are accounts payable rising?
      A: The increase is due to a strategic build‑up of inventory aimed at supporting anticipated higher demand in the upcoming quarter.

    Research analysts covering AMBARELLA.