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Micron Technology’s Earnings Call: DRAM Triumphs Amid NAND Challenges

Micron Technology’s Earnings Call: DRAM Triumphs Amid NAND Challenges

Micron Technology ((MU)) has held its Q2 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.

Micron Technology’s recent earnings call painted a picture of both triumphs and challenges. The sentiment was largely positive, driven by a robust performance in the DRAM sector, especially within data centers. Record revenues and technological advancements were key highlights. However, the company is facing hurdles in the NAND market, which are putting pressure on gross margins. Despite these challenges, Micron remains optimistic about achieving record revenues in the upcoming quarter.

Record Data Center DRAM Revenue

The earnings call revealed that Micron’s data center DRAM revenue reached unprecedented heights in fiscal Q2. This achievement was fueled by a strong demand for high-capacity DRAM modules and LPDRAM, underscoring the company’s strength in this critical market segment.

HBM Revenue Growth

Micron reported a significant growth in HBM revenue, which increased by more than 50% sequentially, surpassing $1 billion in quarterly revenue. The shipments were ahead of plans, indicating a strong market position and demand for HBM products.

Advancements in DRAM Technology

The company launched its 1-gamma node, marking a major technological advancement. This new node offers a 20% reduction in power consumption, a 15% improvement in performance, and over a 30% increase in bit density compared to the previous 1-beta DRAM, showcasing Micron’s innovation prowess.

Capital Investments and Facility Expansion

Micron is investing heavily in its future with the groundbreaking of an HBM advanced packaging facility in Singapore and the completion of a construction milestone for a new DRAM fab in Idaho. These investments are set to bolster the company’s production capabilities.

Strong Financial Performance

Micron’s fiscal Q2 revenue reached $8.1 billion, marking a 38% increase year-over-year. DRAM revenue saw an impressive 47% year-over-year growth, reflecting the company’s strong market position and effective strategies.

Positive Outlook for Fiscal Q3

Looking ahead, Micron expects record revenue in fiscal Q3, driven by shipment growth in both DRAM and NAND. The projected revenue is $8.8 billion, indicating continued momentum and market strength.

NAND Revenue Decline

Despite the overall positive performance, NAND revenue saw a decline of 17% sequentially, with prices dropping in the high-teens percentage range. This decline highlights the challenges in the NAND market.

Gross Margin Pressure

Micron’s consolidated gross margin for fiscal Q2 was 37.9%, down 160 basis points sequentially. This decline was primarily due to lower NAND pricing and a shift towards consumer-oriented products, which impacted profitability.

NAND Underutilization and Challenges

The NAND industry is facing underutilization and structural capacity reductions, which have negatively impacted Micron’s gross margins. These challenges are significant, but the company is working to address them.

Increased Operating Expenses

Micron projects its operating expenses for fiscal 2025 to increase by over 10%. This increase is part of a strategic plan to support high-value products, including HBM, indicating a focus on long-term growth.

Forward-Looking Guidance

Micron’s guidance for the future remains optimistic. The company anticipates maintaining its DRAM and NAND market share in 2025, with DRAM bit demand growth projected in the mid- to high teens percentage range. The company is also on track to increase its HBM market share to align with its overall DRAM supply share by the end of 2025, with strong demand expected to continue into 2026.

In conclusion, Micron Technology’s earnings call highlighted a strong performance in the DRAM sector, with record revenues and significant technological advancements. Despite challenges in the NAND market and pressure on gross margins, the company’s outlook remains positive, with expectations of continued growth and market leadership.

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