Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
Despite a decline in Semi-Cap revenue and a slight drop in operating margin, the company shows strong growth in A&D, Medical, and AC&C sectors. Positive momentum in medical and industrial sectors, along with optimistic guidance and strong free cash flow, signal a positive outlook. The market cap suggests moderate volatility, and the overall sentiment leans towards a positive stock movement of 2% to 8%.
Key Financial Performance
Q4 Revenue $704 million, up 7% year-over-year. Reasons: High single-digit growth driven by double-digit growth in AC&C, Medical, and A&D sectors.
Q4 Non-GAAP EPS $0.71, exceeded prior guidance of $0.62 to $0.68. Reasons: Improved gross margin and operating expense discipline.
Q4 Non-GAAP Gross Margin 10.6%, up 20 basis points year-over-year. Reasons: Volume and mix improvements.
Q4 Non-GAAP Operating Margin 5.5%, up 40 basis points year-over-year. Reasons: Leverage on higher revenue and cost management.
Full Year 2025 Revenue $2.66 billion, flat year-over-year. Reasons: Sequential growth and better year-over-year performance in the second half of the year.
Full Year 2025 Non-GAAP EPS $2.40, up 5% year-over-year. Reasons: Sequential operating margin improvement and bottom-line performance outpacing top-line growth.
Full Year 2025 Non-GAAP Gross Margin 10.2%, consistent with prior performance.
Full Year 2025 Non-GAAP Operating Margin 4.9%, down 20 basis points year-over-year. Reasons: Variable compensation impact.
Semi-Cap Revenue (Q4) Decreased 14% year-over-year. Reasons: Softer Q4 and cyclical downturn in the semi market.
Semi-Cap Revenue (Full Year 2025) Grew 2% year-over-year. Reasons: New wins and capacity expansion despite market downturn.
Industrial Revenue (Q4) Up 3% year-over-year. Reasons: Improved demand in transportation, HVAC, and automation.
Industrial Revenue (Full Year 2025) Flat year-over-year. Reasons: Macro-sensitive sector with steady performance.
A&D Revenue (Q4) Up 17% year-over-year. Reasons: Strong defense demand and stable commercial air performance.
A&D Revenue (Full Year 2025) Up 19% year-over-year. Reasons: Broad demand in defense and space applications.
Medical Revenue (Q4) Up 23% year-over-year. Reasons: Improved demand and new program ramps.
Medical Revenue (Full Year 2025) Up 7% year-over-year. Reasons: Strong second-half performance driven by medical device programs.
AC&C Revenue (Q4) Up 27% year-over-year. Reasons: Strong performance in computing and AI-related wins.
AC&C Revenue (Full Year 2025) Down year-over-year. Reasons: Challenging first half of the year.
Free Cash Flow (Q4) $48 million. Reasons: Improved working capital efficiency and inventory management.
Free Cash Flow (Full Year 2025) $85 million. Reasons: Growth in net income and working capital improvements.
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Operating Highlights
New bookings: Secured over the last 12 to 24 months, including competitive takeaways, with meaningful wins in space, med tech, and enterprise AI.
AI-related wins: Ramping previously announced AI-related wins, particularly in computing and liquid cooling capabilities.
Sector growth: Double-digit growth in Medical and A&D sectors, with strong performance in computing within AC&C.
Semi-Cap recovery: Positioned for recovery in 2026, with evidence of demand picking up earlier than expected.
Revenue and margin performance: Achieved $704 million in Q4 revenue, up 7% YoY, with gross margin of 10.6% and operating margin of 5.5%.
Cash flow and working capital: Generated $85 million in free cash flow for 2025, with a 10-day sequential improvement in cash conversion cycle.
Global expansion: Investing in a fourth building in Penang and production equipment globally to support new business wins.
Operational initiatives: Implemented initiatives to improve operating leverage and tax rate optimization.
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Risk or Challenges
Semi-Cap sector: Revenue decreased 8% quarter-over-quarter and 14% year-over-year in Q4 2025, consistent with expectations of a softer quarter. Additionally, China import restrictions added pressure to this sector.
Industrial sector: Revenue was flat for the full year 2025, with improvement only in the second half. This sector is highly macro-sensitive, and its performance depends on a steady macroeconomic backdrop.
A&D sector: Future revenue growth is expected to moderate from its recent double-digit trajectory due to program timing within defense.
Medical sector: The sector faced a challenging first half in 2025, though it rebounded in the second half. Future performance depends on continued demand and successful program ramps.
AC&C sector: Revenue was down for the full year 2025 due to a challenging first half, though it rebounded sharply in Q4. Future performance depends on maintaining momentum in computing and AI infrastructure.
Tax-related corrections: The company identified and corrected immaterial errors in prior periods related to tax calculations, resulting in increased income tax expense for fiscal years 2024 and earlier. This could indicate potential risks in financial reporting accuracy.
Arizona facility asset impairment: An $11.1 million noncash impairment was recorded due to the end of life of certain programs at an Arizona facility, with follow-on programs consolidated into other U.S. facilities.
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Guidance & Outlook
Semi-Cap Sector Outlook: Revenue grew low single digits year-over-year during the semi market's longer-than-usual cyclical downturn. China import restrictions added pressure. The company expects a demand inflection earlier in 2026, rather than the back half as previously anticipated.
Industrial Sector Outlook: Revenue was flat for 2025 but showed improvement in the second half. The company expects gradually improving performance in 2026, contingent on a steady macroeconomic backdrop.
A&D Sector Outlook: Revenue growth is expected to moderate from its double-digit trajectory due to program timing within defense. However, bookings momentum in space applications is expected to drive future growth.
Medical Sector Outlook: Double-digit revenue growth is expected for the first quarter and full year of 2026, driven by medical device programs and bookings momentum in med tech.
AC&C Sector Outlook: Revenue rebounded sharply in Q4 2025, driven by strong performance in computing. This momentum is expected to continue into the first half of 2026, supported by investments in liquid cooling capabilities for AI infrastructure and next-generation supercomputers.
Q1 2026 Financial Guidance: Revenue is expected to range between $655 million and $695 million, up 7% year-over-year at the midpoint. Non-GAAP gross margin is projected to be between 10% and 10.4%, with non-GAAP operating margin between 4.7% and 4.9%. Non-GAAP diluted EPS is expected to range from $0.53 to $0.59.
Capital Expenditures and Investments: The company plans a step-up in capital spending over the next few quarters to complete the fourth PT building by Q2 2026 and begin operations in Q3. Investments in production equipment are aligned with new business wins.
Mid-Single-Digit Growth Guidance for 2026: The company remains confident in achieving mid-single-digit growth for 2026, with potential for further strengthening as customer visibility improves.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Cash dividends distributed: $24 million in cash dividends were distributed during the year.
Stock repurchase: $27 million in stock was repurchased during the year.
Remaining share repurchase authorization: Approximately $123 million remains under the existing share repurchase authorization.
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Key Q&A
Q:What areas of the business, besides Semi-Cap, have shown a change in demand tone compared to 3 months ago?
A:Medical has turned the corner, AC&Cs had a strong Q4 and momentum continues into the first half, Semi-Cap is picking up, and Industrial remains consistent with gradual growth.
Q:How should we think about gross margins as the top line begins accelerating?
A:Gross margins are expected to remain strong, with Q4 at 10.6% and Q1 midpoint at 10.2%. Operating margin leverage is expected as revenue accelerates, with SG&A not growing at the same rate as revenue.
Q:Can you expand on the TAM in the industrial business and the growth in space bookings?
A:The industrial segment is broad, covering HVAC, transportation, agriculture, construction, and building management, among others. Space bookings are gaining momentum and are expected to contribute to A&D growth, with significant impact anticipated in 2027.
Q:What contributed to the gross margin expansion to 10.6% in Q4?
A:The expansion was due to leverage in plants and overall mix. Semi-Cap was down in the quarter, and margin expansion will depend on sector performance like AC&C.
Q:What is the outlook for the Semi-Cap recovery?
A:The recovery is picking up based on customer forecast adjustments. Clarity on the slope of recovery will be provided in the coming weeks.
Q:Can you provide more detail on the Medical program wins and their momentum into 2026?
A:Medical wins are in med devices and life sciences. Momentum is driven by ramping production and increased demand from current customers, with strong performance expected in FY '26 and continued momentum into 2027.
Q:How quickly can the company respond to Semi-Cap orders?
A:Depending on the orders, the company can respond within 1 to 3 months. Capacity planning and simulations have been ongoing since late summer of last year.
Q:What is the outlook for Aerospace and Defense (A&D)?
A:A&D is expected to moderate in 2026 due to program timing changes but will pick up in 2027. Commercial air looks good, and there is bullishness on space opportunities.
Q:What is the exposure to commercial air?
A:The company works with several customers in commercial applications, building products that are integrated into products for Airbus, Boeing, etc.
Q:What is the visibility for AC&C and its expected performance?
A:AC&C is expected to remain strong in the first half, with potential for the second half to fill in. Visibility is good for the first half, driven by customer wins in the AI space.
Q:What are the targets for cash cycle days in 2026?
A:The target is to maintain stability around 69 days, with continued efforts to drive improvement.
Q:What is driving the expected increase in CapEx, and does it include the Penang expansion?
A:The increase in CapEx (2% to 2.5% of revenue) is driven by program wins and the build-out of the fourth building in Penang, which is expected to be operational in the first half of the year.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing a direct answer on the slope of the Semi-Cap recovery, stating that clarity would be provided in the coming weeks. Additionally, they used vague language when discussing the dynamics affecting gross margin expansion and the potential for AC&C performance in the second half of the year.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
AD digit
AI infrastructure
AI value
AI win
Appendix presentation
Arizona facility
Benchmark Investor
Benchmark contribution
Industrial
Medical
Officer
QA
Semi Cap
approach
booking momentum
building
change
correction
discipline
flow cash
impairment
improvement margin
income tax
increase income
leverage
margin end
market effort
point basis
portfolio
progress objective
rate Slides
sector outlook
set
space tech
tax expense
today Benchmark
BHE Transcript
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive2-3
Despite a decline in Semi-Cap revenue and a slight drop in operating margin, the company shows strong growth in A&D, Medical, and AC&C sectors. Positive momentum in medical and industrial sectors, along with optimistic guidance and strong free cash flow, signal a positive outlook. The market cap suggests moderate volatility, and the overall sentiment leans towards a positive stock movement of 2% to 8%.
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive11-4
The earnings call shows strong financial results with revenue and EPS at the high end of guidance, positive free cash flow, and significant shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases. The Q&A section highlights optimism in sectors like AI and A&D, despite some uncertainties in semi-cap. The company's positive outlook for 2026, coupled with strategic investments, suggests a positive market reaction. Given the small-cap nature, the stock is likely to see a positive movement of 2% to 8% over the next two weeks.
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown7-31
The earnings call reveals mixed signals: positive growth in medical and AI sectors, strategic cash management, and shareholder returns. However, concerns arise from cash outflow, AC&C sector challenges, and semi-cap market uncertainties due to China restrictions. The Q&A highlights optimism in future growth but lacks detailed guidance. Given the market cap of $1.4 billion, these mixed factors suggest a neutral stock price movement within the -2% to 2% range over the next two weeks.
Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (BHE) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown4-29
The earnings call presents a mixed picture: while revenue declined YoY and recession risks loom, the company maintained EPS guidance, improved cash flow, and executed share repurchases. The Q&A highlights balanced customer sentiment and potential growth in medical and automation sectors. Despite headwinds from tariffs and a customs audit, the company shows resilience. The stock market cap suggests moderate sensitivity. Overall, the sentiment is neutral, with no strong catalysts for a significant stock price change in the next two weeks.
BHE Slides
BHE Report
Frequently Asked Questions
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