SG
SMART Global Holdings, Inc. (SGH)·Q1 2024 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q1 FY24 revenue was $274.2M, down 30.0% y/y and down 13.4% q/q; non-GAAP EPS was $0.24 and GAAP EPS was $(0.23). Gross margin reached record levels: GAAP 30.2% and non-GAAP 33.3% .
- Management guided Q2 FY24 net sales to $285M ± $25M and non-GAAP EPS to $0.25 ± $0.10, with non-GAAP gross margin of 32.5% ± 1% .
- Balance sheet strengthened: cash and short-term investments totaled a record $553M; cash from operations from continuing operations was ~$59.7M in Q1 FY24. The Board authorized a new $75M share repurchase, bringing total authorizations over two years to $150M .
- Versus publicly reported Wall Street consensus (non-S&P source), Q1 FY24 non-GAAP EPS of $0.24 beat by $0.08, and revenue of ~$274.25M missed by ~$0.75M; S&P Global consensus data was unavailable via our tool .
- Key narrative: continued transformation toward enterprise solutions and services mix (services ~25% of revenue), AI-related product focus, and IPS leadership, while near-term revenue headwinds and seasonality temper Q2 outlook .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record gross margins: GAAP gross margin 30.2% (+160 bps y/y), non-GAAP gross margin 33.3% (+200 bps y/y), reflecting shift to higher-value enterprise solutions .
- Services mix and cash generation: management highlighted services revenue at ~25% of total, record cash + short-term investments of $553M, and ~$59.7M operating cash flow from continuing operations in Q1 FY24 .
- Strategic capital allocation: $75M additional share repurchase authorization (total $150M over two years), signaling confidence and shareholder return support .
Quote: “We are pleased with the progress we are making on our transformation journey… another quarter of record non-GAAP gross margins reflecting the continued shift to higher value enterprise solutions.” — CEO Mark Adams .
What Went Wrong
- Revenue decline: total net sales fell to $274.2M, down 30% y/y and down 13.4% q/q (from $316.7M in Q4 FY23), with IPS segment down sequentially .
- EPS compression: non-GAAP EPS declined to $0.24 from $0.35 in Q4 FY23 and $0.75 in Q1 FY23; GAAP EPS was $(0.23) vs $1.17 in Q4 FY23 and $(0.08) in Q1 FY23 .
- Outlook implies seasonality/near-term softness: management guided Q2 FY24 revenue to $285M ± $25M, noting seasonality; external coverage similarly flagged the anticipated sequential revenue decrease .
Financial Results
Consolidated Results vs prior periods and estimates
Note: S&P Global consensus was unavailable via our tool; consensus references above come from public sources.
Segment Net Sales (Continuing Operations)
KPIs and Profitability
Guidance Changes
Repurchase Authorization: Additional $75M approved Jan 8, 2024; cumulative authorizations $150M .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are pleased with the progress we are making on our transformation journey… another quarter of record non-GAAP gross margins…” — Mark Adams, CEO .
- “We ended our first quarter with record cash and short term-investments of $553 million, allowing us to continue investing strategically in AI, developing products based on advanced memory technologies and strengthening CreeLED’s portfolio…” — Mark Adams, CEO .
- Services revenue represented approximately 25% of overall revenues; cash and short-term investments totaled $553M — Company remarks on call summary .
Q&A Highlights
- Seasonality: Management expects a sequential revenue decrease in Q2 FY24 due to seasonal effects, despite long-term optimism in LED and enterprise solutions .
- Segment leadership and mix: IPS led with ~$118.8M revenue in Q1; services mix reached ~25% of total, supporting margin outcomes .
- Balance sheet/capital return: Discussion of record cash and $75M repurchase authorization as strategic flexibility for investment and shareholder returns .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global (Capital IQ) consensus estimates were unavailable via our tool for SGH this quarter.
- Public sources indicate Q1 FY24 non-GAAP EPS of $0.24 beat by $0.08 and revenue of ~$274.25M missed by ~$0.75M; use these as indicative until S&P Global data is accessible .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Margin-led transformation: The shift toward enterprise solutions and services mix is structurally lifting margins; Q1 delivered record GAAP/non-GAAP gross margins despite revenue headwinds .
- Capital allocation as a support: $75M additional repurchase (total $150M over two years) plus record liquidity provides downside support and investment optionality in AI and advanced memory .
- Near-term revenue caution vs medium-term thesis: Q2 guide reflects seasonality and softer near-term demand, while strategic focus on AI/IPS and LED portfolio strengthening underpin medium-term growth/margin expansion goals .
- IPS leadership with services contribution: IPS remains the leading segment, and services at ~25% of revenue should continue to aid margin stability; monitor IPS customer concentration and enterprise adoption cadence .
- Portfolio simplification reduces volatility: Completion of the 81% sale of SMART Brazil streamlines operations and supports higher-quality revenue trajectory (Brazil now in discontinued ops) .
- Catalysts: Continued margin beats vs guidance, execution in IPS and AI-linked products, and buyback activity; watch Q2 delivery vs guide and service mix sustainability .
- Actionable: Position around margin durability and capital return; monitor Q2 seasonal downtick for entry points and track updates on AI product traction and IPS pipeline on the next call .