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WOLFSPEED, INC. (WOLF)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 FY2025 revenue was $180.5M, down 10.7% YoY and 7% QoQ; non-GAAP EPS was a loss of $0.95, slightly better than the company’s midpoint outlook, with gross margin pressured by $28.9M underutilization costs at Mohawk Valley and lower factory output tied to maintenance .
- Mohawk Valley revenue rose to $52M and is guided to $55–$75M in Q3; EV device revenue grew ~92% YoY despite broader macro and auto demand challenges, while industrial & energy remained soft as customers reduced inventories .
- Management emphasized liquidity actions: completed a $200M ATM equity offering, accrued $865M in 48D tax credits, received $192.1M cash refunds in March, and continues constructive CHIPS grant and lender dialogues; Q3 guidance was reaffirmed in late March .
- Strategic narrative: accelerating 200mm transition (closing 150mm Durham device fab and Farmers Branch epi), restructuring to cut annual cash costs by ~$200M, with adjusted EBITDA breakeven lowered from “under $1B” annual revenue to $800M upon completion of simplification and cost actions; FY26/FY27 CapEx expected to decline sharply .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Mohawk Valley ramp: revenue increased to $52M and expected to grow in Q3 to $55–$75M; management highlighted strong 200mm wafer yields and being the only volume producer of 200mm SiC wafers shipping thousands weekly .
- EV momentum: power device EV revenue grew ~92% YoY in Q2, with diverse OEM model exposure; management expects EV revenue to expand further in Q3 despite a weaker macro backdrop .
- Liquidity progress: executed $200M ATM, accrued $865M of 48D credits, and received $192.1M in cash refunds; company reaffirmed Q3 guidance and outlined visibility to ~$0.75B of near-term liquidity combining CHIPS tranche and lender financing .
What Went Wrong
- Margin compression: GAAP gross margin fell to -21% (vs 13% YoY) and non-GAAP gross margin to 2% (vs 16% YoY), driven by $28.9M underutilization costs and lower output during maintenance shutdown and demand-aligned production cuts .
- Restructuring costs: Q2 restructuring and facility closure charges were $188.1M, materially elevating GAAP operating expenses and loss; total FY2025 restructuring expected at $400–$450M .
- Materials softness: materials revenue declined 8% QoQ to $89.7M as customers adjusted inventories; broader industrial & energy demand visibility remained limited, offsetting EV strength .
Financial Results
Segment Revenue ($USD Millions)
Key KPIs
Notes vs Estimates: S&P Global consensus estimates for Q2 FY2025 could not be retrieved due to access limits; comparisons vs Street are therefore unavailable for this report.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are the only volume producer of 200-millimeter wafers, and we’re shipping thousands of them… the performance of the wafers is exceptional.” — Thomas Werner, Executive Chair .
- “EV growth in the quarter grew 90% year-over-year… we should expect that to expand 20% to 30% going into 3Q.” — Neill Reynolds, CFO .
- “Putting it all together… Wolfspeed has access to a total of $2.5 billion funding package.” — Thomas Werner .
- “Operating expenses… down $11 million quarter-over-quarter as we continue to reduce costs… Start-up costs were $23 million, in line with our outlook.” — Neill Reynolds .
- “Adjusted EBITDA breakeven point… reduced to under $1 billion… [later] $800 million of annual revenue upon completion of… actions.” — Neill Reynolds (Jan) and Company (Mar 28 PR) .
Q&A Highlights
- Demand mix: EV strong and diversified by models/geographies; I&E shows green shoots but no “V-shaped” recovery; channel inventory reduction supportive .
- Competitive positioning: Only volume producer of 200mm SiC wafers; active customer sampling and LTAs; stickiness from substrate quality-device yield linkage increases switching costs .
- Liquidity path: Visibility to ~$325M from 48D refunds and non-core asset sales; working toward CHIPS tranche and lender financing for >$0.75B liquidity, plus convert resolution .
- Breakeven & CapEx: EBITDA breakeven inclusive of start-up/underutilization around ~$1B annual revenue; FY2026 CapEx at the low-end of $200–$600M gross target, potentially net ~0 after incentives; underutilization fades as utilization approaches ~70% .
- Mohawk vs Durham: Transition progressing; some co-qualified lots impact mix; MV guidance implies 20–25% QoQ revenue increase at midpoint .
Estimates Context
- S&P Global consensus for Q2 FY2025 revenue and EPS was unavailable due to data access limits during this session. As a proxy, the company reported revenue slightly above guidance midpoint and adjusted EPS better than the midpoint. Future estimate comparisons should incorporate SPGI consensus when accessible .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mohawk Valley ramp is the key operational lever: rising wafer/device output should reduce underutilization and improve gross margins as volumes scale; monitor MV revenue ($52M in Q2; $55–$75M guided for Q3) and utilization trajectory .
- EV remains the growth anchor with diversified OEM exposure; industrial and energy should gradually recover as inventories normalize and AI/data center and storage demand lifts I&E .
- Liquidity runway is improving: $200M ATM completed, $865M accrued 48D credits, $192.1M cash refunds received; watch milestones on CHIPS grant finalization, lender financing, and convert actions for stock catalysts .
- Cost-out and restructuring are tracking: non-GAAP OpEx falling, FY2025 restructuring charges are sizable but expected cash neutral; breakeven revenue reduced to $800M after actions, a meaningful de-risking signal .
- Near-term margin pressure persists from underutilization and maintenance impacts; the narrative hinges on execution of 200mm conversion (closure of 150mm Durham device fab, Farmers Branch) and MV output scaling .
- Product innovation (Gen 4 MOSFET) delivered on 200mm wafers strengthens competitive positioning with measurable system-level efficiency and durability gains—supporting design-ins and potential ASPs .
- Trading lens: stock likely sensitive to CHIPS grant timing, convert refinancing headlines, and quarterly proof-points on MV revenue/margins; any reaffirmation or increase in Q3 guidance and tangible 48D cash receipts can be positive catalysts .