ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
Despite positive developments in new products and advanced packaging, the company faces challenges with declining gross margins, increased operating expenses, and slower revenue growth. The Q&A session highlighted management's optimism about future growth but also revealed uncertainties and lack of specific guidance. The market cap indicates moderate volatility, leading to a neutral prediction as positive long-term potential is offset by short-term financial pressures and unclear guidance.
Key Financial Performance
Revenue (Q4 2025) $244 million, up 9% year-over-year. Growth attributed to solid execution and progress in core business and new product platforms.
Revenue (Full Year 2025) $901 million, up 15% year-over-year. Growth outpaced the generally flat China WFE market, driven by strong execution and minimal contribution from new products.
Shipments (Full Year 2025) $854 million, down 12.2% year-over-year. Decline due to tough comparison with 2024 (63% growth) and some shipments pushed to 2026.
Gross Margin (Q4 2025) 41%, slightly below the long-term target range of 42%-48%. Decline due to product mix, competitive pressure, and higher seasonal inventory provisions.
Gross Margin (Full Year 2025) 44.5%, down from 50.4% in 2024. Decline attributed to product mix and margin pressure in semi-critical products, as well as higher inventory provisions.
Net Cash (End of 2025) $845 million, up from $259 million at the end of 2024. Increase driven by a private offering by ACM Shanghai and operational cash flow.
Operating Expenses (Full Year 2025) $258.4 million, up 34% year-over-year. Increase due to higher R&D, sales, and marketing expenses.
Net Income (Q4 2025) $17.3 million, down from $37.7 million in Q4 2024. Decline due to lower gross margins and higher operating expenses.
Net Income (Full Year 2025) $110.2 million, down from $152.2 million in 2024. Decline attributed to lower gross margins and increased operating expenses.
Advanced Packaging Revenue (Full Year 2025) $76 million, up 45% year-over-year. Growth driven by strong demand for advanced packaging tools and services.
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Operating Highlights
New Product Platforms: Progress made with new product platforms, including single-wafer SPM cleaning, Tahoe, supercritical CO2 dry, Track, panel-level plating, and PECVD. These are expected to contribute more meaningfully in 2026 and beyond.
SPM Cleaning Tools: Received strong repeat orders for SPM cleaning tools from a major customer for delivery in 2026. The tools feature proprietary nozzle and chamber design, achieving best-in-class performance for small particle cleaning.
Supercritical CO2 Dry Tool: Integrated proprietary cleaning IP, reducing CO2 consumption by 40% compared to competitors. Successful in-house demos and demo POs received from two customers for delivery in 2026.
Market Expansion in Singapore: Delivered multiple single-wafer cleaning tools to a Singapore facility, marking ACM's first tool installation in Singapore.
Global Customer Orders: Received multiple orders for advanced packaging tools from three global customers, including a leading OSAT customer in Singapore, a semiconductor packaging manufacturer outside Mainland China, and a North America-based technology customer.
Revenue Growth: Achieved $244 million in Q4 2025 revenue (up 9%) and $901 million for the full year (up 15%).
Gross Margin: Q4 gross margin was 41%, slightly below the long-term target range of 42%-48%, attributed to product mix and competitive pressures.
Production Facilities: Lingang production center is now the primary production site, with capacity to support up to $3 billion in annual output. Oregon facility investment accelerated, with operations expected in the second half of 2026.
China Market Strategy: ACM aims to achieve 60% market share in China's cleaning market, leveraging differentiated technology and strong IP protection.
Global Expansion: Accelerating investment in the U.S. with the Oregon facility to support global customers and scale production.
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Risk or Challenges
Gross Margin Pressure: Gross margins were down 8.8 percentage points year-over-year in Q4 2025 due to product mix and margin pressure in semi-critical products, as well as higher inventory provisions. This could impact profitability if not addressed.
Competitive Pressure in China: The company faces intense competition in the China capital equipment industry, with multiple local entrants targeting similar products. This could challenge ACM's market share and pricing power.
Supply Chain Risks: Strategic purchases of raw materials were made to mitigate potential supply chain risks, indicating ongoing challenges in securing necessary components.
Delayed Shipments: Some shipments for new products were pushed into 2026, which could delay revenue recognition and impact financial performance.
High R&D Costs: R&D expenses are expected to grow to 16%-18% of sales in 2026, which could strain operating margins if revenue growth does not keep pace.
Regulatory and Geopolitical Risks: The company operates in a highly regulated and geopolitically sensitive industry, particularly with its significant operations in China and plans for expansion in the U.S.
Inventory Management Challenges: Finished goods inventory remains high, including tools under evaluation at customer sites, which could tie up capital and affect cash flow.
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Guidance & Outlook
Revenue Outlook for 2026: The company projects revenue in the range of $1.08 billion to $1.175 billion for 2026, implying a 25% year-over-year growth at the midpoint.
Gross Margin Expectations: Gross margins are expected to be at the lower end of the long-term target range of 42% to 48% for the first half of 2026, with an anticipated lift in the second half due to contributions from newer products.
R&D, Sales, and G&A Spending for 2026: R&D spending is planned in the 16% to 18% range, sales and marketing in the 7% to 8% range, and G&A in the 6% range of sales.
Capital Expenditures for 2026: The company expects to spend approximately $200 million in capital expenditures, including investments in Lingang, Oregon, and other fixed assets.
Product Contributions in 2026: New products, including single-wafer SPM, Tahoe, and N2 bubbling wet etch, are expected to contribute more meaningfully to 2026 revenue. Furnace tools are also expected to have a more significant contribution in 2026.
Shipment Growth for 2026: Shipment growth is expected to be higher than revenue growth in 2026.
Market Share Goals: The company aims to achieve approximately 60% market share in the China cleaning market and over 60% in the ECP market in China.
Oregon Facility Operations: Operations at the Oregon facility are expected to begin in the second half of 2026, allowing customers to evaluate technology and test wafers locally.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Dividends in 2023: $19.2 million
Dividends in 2024: $28.5 million
Dividends in 2025: $29 million
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Key Q&A
Q:What is the expected growth for existing product lines excluding new products?
A:David Wang explained that the company has made significant progress in the SPM process, which represents 25%-30% of the cleaning market. They are aggressively entering this high-margin market with proprietary designs. Additionally, their N2 bubbling wet etch technology is critical for 3D NAND silicon nitride etching, and their supercritical CO2 Dry technology offers a 40% reduction in consumable costs. These advancements are expected to drive growth in both the China and global markets.
Q:Why has the operating margin been under pressure for almost two years, and how does the company plan to address this?
A:David Wang stated that the gross margin was impacted by product mix, inventory provisions, and pricing pressure from competitors. However, new products are expected to enhance margins, and inventory provisions are anticipated to reduce. The company is also investing heavily in R&D (16% of revenue) to capitalize on AI-driven demand for new technologies, which may temporarily impact operating margins but is seen as a long-term investment for growth.
Q:What caused the lower margin and slower revenue growth in Q4, and when will these numbers improve?
A:David Wang attributed the lower margin and slower revenue growth to product mix, seasonality, and customer pushouts. He expects improvement in 2026 as new products scale and customer demand increases. The company is confident in its ability to grow faster than the flat WFE market in China due to new products and global customer interest.
Q:How will the USD 111 million raised by selling down ACM Shanghai shares be utilized?
A:David Wang explained that the proceeds will be used for R&D, manufacturing expansion, and building a second facility to increase annual manufacturing capacity to $3 billion. Funds will also support the mini line for R&D and customer collaboration, as well as global sales and marketing efforts, including establishing assembly tools in the U.S. to minimize tariff impacts.
Q:What is the potential size of shipments for single-wafer cleaning tools to a Singapore foundry?
A:David Wang mentioned that a few tools are currently being installed and will be qualified for production this year. This milestone is expected to boost interest from other Asian markets, including Korea and Taiwan, and expand the company’s presence in the U.S. market.
Q:What is the progress in advanced packaging and panel-level packaging for AI GPUs?
A:David Wang highlighted that the company is in discussions with key customers in Taiwan for panel-level packaging. They are introducing horizontal plating, vacuum cleaning, and bevel tools, which are critical for advanced packaging. The company expects additional purchase orders this year from Taiwan, Korea, and Singapore.
Q:Will ACM dispose of more stakes in ACM Shanghai in the future?
A:David Wang stated that the decision to sell additional stakes will depend on funding needs, stock pricing in Shanghai, and the timeline. The company is flexible and can also raise funds in the U.S. if needed.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing specific numerical details on the potential size of shipments for single-wafer cleaning tools to the Singapore foundry and the exact timeline for receiving purchase orders for advanced packaging tools in Taiwan. Additionally, they did not clarify the exact amount of future stake disposals in ACM Shanghai or the precise impact of pricing pressure on margins.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
ALD PEALD
Asia
CO
Furnace PECVD
LPCVD ALD
Mainland China
SPM cleaning
Shanghai source
Singapore
capacity capital
center
chamber
competitor
cost
customer delivery
cycle
demo
dividend
efficiency
equipment
fab
layer
line product
manufacturer
milestone
mixing
nozzle design
operation
order wafer
packaging system
process step
product design
qualification
share proceeds
size
throughput
tool semiconductor
uniformity
vacuum cleaning
ACMR Transcript
ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown2-26
Despite positive developments in new products and advanced packaging, the company faces challenges with declining gross margins, increased operating expenses, and slower revenue growth. The Q&A session highlighted management's optimism about future growth but also revealed uncertainties and lack of specific guidance. The market cap indicates moderate volatility, leading to a neutral prediction as positive long-term potential is offset by short-term financial pressures and unclear guidance.
ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown11-5
The earnings call reveals several negative aspects: declining operating income and net income, shipment delays due to part shortages, and inventory write-downs impacting margins. Although there is some optimism about future shipments and product innovations, the current financial performance and guidance suggest a negative short-term outlook. The market cap indicates a small-cap stock, which tends to react strongly to such negative news, likely resulting in a -2% to -8% stock price movement.
ACM Research, Inc. (ACMR) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown8-6
The earnings call reveals mixed signals. Basic financial performance shows slight declines in net income and operating income, with increased expenses and reduced cash flow, indicating financial strain. However, management's optimistic guidance for the second half of 2025 and strategic risk mitigation efforts provide a positive outlook. The Q&A session highlights confidence in shipment growth and market expansion, but concerns about underperformance in Asia and unclear management responses add uncertainty. Given the market cap, the stock is likely to experience minor fluctuations, resulting in a neutral sentiment.
ACM Research, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACMR) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown5-9
The earnings call presents a mixed picture. While revenue and market share growth are positive, declining operating income and shipments, coupled with vague management responses, raise concerns. The strong gross margin and cash flow improvements are offset by supply chain and competitive challenges. The market cap suggests moderate sensitivity, leading to a neutral prediction.
ACMR Slides
ACMR Report
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