CL
CIRRUS LOGIC, INC. (CRUS)·Q1 2026 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 FY26 revenue of $407.3M and non-GAAP EPS of $1.51 both exceeded the company’s guidance; S&P Global consensus was $365.0M revenue and $1.10 EPS, implying an ~11.6% revenue beat and ~38% EPS beat, driven by stronger-than-expected smartphone unit volumes and the ramp of the 22nm smart codec and custom boosted amplifier . Estimates from S&P Global.*
- Gross margin of 52.6% declined 80 bps q/q on mix and a normalization of pricing, but improved 210 bps y/y on a more favorable product mix .
- Q2 FY26 guidance implies a strong seasonal ramp: revenue $510–$570M (up ~33% q/q at the midpoint, ~flat y/y), gross margin 51–53%, and non-GAAP OpEx $131–$137M; management highlighted ongoing traction in laptops and expanding HPMS content (camera controllers, battery/power) .
- Potential catalysts: above-top-end results and sequentially higher guidance, plus an expanded U.S.-based manufacturing collaboration with GlobalFoundries that bolsters supply-chain resilience and advances next-gen mixed-signal processes (BCD, GaN) .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Strong product-cycle execution in smartphones: “robust demand for our custom boosted amplifier and first 22-nanometer smart codec shipping in smartphones” drove outperformance in the June quarter .
- Diversification progress: traction in laptops (next-gen amplifier and codec designed into several new models, initial shipments expected in late CY25) and ramp of new general market ADCs/DACs and an ultra-high-performance codec; timing products began shipping to automotive and pro audio customers .
- Operating discipline: non-GAAP operating margin of 23.3% and non-GAAP gross margin of 52.6% reflect favorable mix y/y; cash from operations was $116.1M and free cash flow $113.4M in Q1 .
What Went Wrong
- Sequential margin compression and operating leverage: GAAP gross margin fell to 52.6% from 53.4% q/q due to less favorable mix and a return to a more typical pricing environment; GAAP operating income declined to $72.4M from $85.9M q/q on lower revenue .
- Customer concentration remains elevated at ~86% of revenue, sustaining dependency risk despite diversification efforts .
- Inventory remains high at $279.0M (down from $299.1M in Q4), with management continuing to manage wafer purchase commitments under the GlobalFoundries long-term capacity agreement .
Financial Results
P&L vs Prior Periods (GAAP and non-GAAP where disclosed)
Q1 FY26 vs S&P Global Consensus
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Segment Mix and Revenue
KPIs and Balance Sheet
Guidance Changes
Note: Q2 FY26 guidance is newly introduced this quarter; Q1 FY26 prior guidance shown for context .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Cirrus Logic delivered strong financial results for the June quarter driven by robust demand for our custom boosted amplifier and first 22-nanometer smart codec shipping in smartphones.” — John Forsyth, President & CEO .
- “Our progress included gaining traction in the laptop market and ramping production of our latest-generation general market components... We also began shipping our recently-introduced timing product to leading automotive and professional audio customers.” .
- “In the September quarter, we expect revenue to range from $510 million to $570 million, up 33 percent sequentially and approximately flat year over year at the midpoint.” .
- “Our cash and investment balance at the end of Q1 FY26 was $847.8 million... we repurchased 1,013,613 shares... returning $100.0 million of cash to shareholders.” .
Q&A Highlights
- The company hosted a live Q&A session alongside the results . Due to a retrieval error, we could not access the Q1 FY26 transcript; we will update this section upon availability.
- Recent Q&A themes from the prior quarter included: customer concentration and tariff impacts , laptop trajectory and revenue scaling , and HPMS camera controller roadmap/attach rate expansion .
Estimates Context
- Q1 FY26 vs S&P Global consensus: Revenue $407.3M vs $365.0M*; Primary (non-GAAP) EPS $1.51 vs $1.10* — both beats, aided by stronger-than-expected smartphone volumes . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Forward consensus (as reference): Q2 FY26 revenue ~$541.4M*, EPS ~$2.38*; Q3 FY26 revenue ~$531.4M*, EPS ~$2.41*. Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Product-cycle tailwind intact: smartphone audio (22nm codec + boosted amp) continues to drive upside; camera controller content expanding — supports durability into the seasonal Q2 ramp .
- Sequential guide signals strength: Q2 revenue $510–$570M and GM 51–53% underpin robust 2H smartphone seasonality; monitor mix/pricing normalization that pressured Q1 GM q/q .
- Diversification gaining traction: laptop design-ins broaden across price tiers, with shipments expected to start late CY25; general market audio and timing products ramping add non-smartphone optionality .
- Operating discipline and cash returns: strong cash generation ($116.1M CFO; $113.4M FCF) and $100M buyback in Q1 provide support in volatile macro/backdrops .
- Risks: elevated customer concentration (86%) and inventory levels, though inventory declined q/q; watch for macro/tariff and supply chain dynamics .
- Strategic supply-chain upside: expanded GlobalFoundries partnership enhances U.S. manufacturing optionality (BCD, GaN) and resilience — a medium-term enabler for HPMS roadmaps .
- Estimate revisions: Expect upward adjustments to near-term revenue/EPS following the Q1 beat and sequentially stronger Q2 outlook, while margin assumptions may reflect mix/pricing commentary .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*