Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The company reported a 4% YoY revenue increase and record EPS, indicating strong financial performance. Although gross margin declined slightly, the company offset this with cost reductions. Share buybacks and strong cash flow further enhance shareholder value. Optimistic guidance, particularly in the PC and AI markets, suggests future growth. Despite some strategic shifts and declines in certain segments, the company's expansion plans and new product developments in AI-enabled PCs and voice technology are promising. The Q&A session did not highlight significant risks, reinforcing a positive outlook.
Key Financial Performance
Revenue $580.6 million, a 4% year-over-year increase, driven by higher smartphone unit volumes, partially offset by previously anticipated pricing reductions and lower general market sales.
Non-GAAP Gross Profit $308.2 million, with a 50 basis point year-over-year decrease in gross margin to 53.1%, largely due to previously anticipated pricing reductions, mostly offset by cost reductions.
Non-GAAP Operating Expense $133 million, a $3.8 million year-over-year increase, primarily due to higher employee-related expenses and professional expenses, partially offset by a decrease in product development costs.
Non-GAAP Operating Income $175.1 million, representing 30.2% of revenue.
Non-GAAP Net Income $156.7 million, resulting in record earnings per share of $2.97 for the December quarter.
Cash and Investments $1.08 billion, up $185.9 million from the prior quarter, driven by cash generated from operations, partially offset by share repurchases.
Inventory $189.5 million, down from $236.4 million in the prior quarter, with days of inventory reduced to approximately 63 days.
Cash Flow from Operations $290.8 million for the December quarter, contributing to a trailing 12-month cash flow from operations of $629.6 million.
CapEx $5.2 million for the December quarter, resulting in a non-GAAP free cash flow margin of 49%.
Share Buybacks $70 million utilized to repurchase approximately 591,000 shares at an average price of $118.33, with $344.1 million remaining on the share repurchase authorization.
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Operating Highlights
Custom-boosted amplifier and 22-nanometer smart codec: Strong demand driven by innovative architectures enabling system-level improvements in smartphones.
Next-generation camera products: Actively developing products with enhanced features, improved performance, and greater system efficiency.
Advanced battery and power applications: Investing in R&D to enhance and grow content in smartphones.
New amplifier and codec for mainstream PCs: Ramping first shipments ahead of new customer product launches.
Voice interface component for AI-enabled PCs: Sampled a new component with strong interest from leading OEMs and PC platform vendors.
Automotive haptic components: Announced a new series designed for real-time tactile responses in in-cabin interfaces.
PC market: Expanding footprint in higher-volume mainstream PCs with new amplifier and codec shipments.
Automotive market: Early stages of participation with new haptic components for in-cabin interfaces.
General market applications: Gaining momentum in professional audio, automotive, industrial, and imaging markets with new components.
Revenue: Achieved $580.6 million, above guidance, driven by smartphone component demand and favorable mix.
Gross margin: Non-GAAP gross margin at 53.1%, benefiting from inventory reserve reduction and supply chain efficiencies.
Operating expenses: Non-GAAP operating expense at $133 million, with increases in employee-related expenses offset by lower product development costs.
Cash flow: Generated $290.8 million in cash flow from operations, with a free cash flow margin of 49%.
Diversification strategy: Focused on broadening product portfolio and entering new markets like PCs and automotive.
Shareholder value: Utilized $70 million for share repurchases, with $344.1 million remaining in authorization.
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Risk or Challenges
Smartphone Market Dependency: The company's revenue is heavily reliant on the smartphone market, particularly flagship models. Any downturn in smartphone demand or shifts in consumer preferences could significantly impact financial performance.
Pricing Reductions: Previously anticipated pricing reductions have already impacted gross margins and could continue to pressure profitability in the future.
General Market Sales Decline: A decline in general market sales was noted, which could indicate challenges in diversifying revenue streams beyond the smartphone market.
Employee-Related Expenses: Higher employee-related expenses have increased operating costs, which could affect profitability if not managed effectively.
Automotive Market Entry: The company is in the early stages of entering the automotive haptic market, which represents a growth opportunity but also carries risks due to the nascent stage of this market and potential competition.
Supply Chain Efficiencies: While supply chain efficiencies have improved, any disruptions in the supply chain could negatively impact operations and financial performance.
R&D Investment Risks: Significant investments in R&D for new products and markets, such as advanced battery and power applications, carry the risk of not yielding expected returns.
Customer Concentration Risk: The company has a high dependency on its largest customer, and any changes in this relationship could materially affect revenue.
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Guidance & Outlook
Revenue Guidance for Q4 Fiscal 2026: Revenue is expected to range from $410 million to $470 million.
Gross Margin Guidance for Q4 Fiscal 2026: GAAP gross margin is expected to range from 51% to 53%.
Operating Expense Guidance for Q4 Fiscal 2026: Non-GAAP operating expense is expected to range from $124 million to $130 million.
Tax Rate Guidance for Fiscal Year 2026: The non-GAAP effective tax rate is expected to range from 16% to 18%.
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Shareholder Return Plan
Share Repurchase: In Q3, the company utilized $70 million to repurchase approximately 591,000 shares of common stock at an average price of $118.33. At the end of Q3 fiscal 2026, $344.1 million remained on the share repurchase authorization.
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Key Q&A
Q:What caused the company to come in $50 million higher for the quarter and guide better than seasonal for the March quarter?
A:The company attributed the higher results to being further away from the peak of units and a favorable mix than previously anticipated. The seasonal shape remained the same, but they underestimated the peak when providing prior guidance.
Q:When should the company start seeing revenues from voice as an interface for AI technology?
A:The company has started sampling the product to DC OEMs, targeting the PC market. They expect to see revenues from this technology in calendar years 2027 and 2028. The product is part of a broader roadmap for voice-enabling features relevant to AI devices.
Q:What caused the decline in revenue outside of the flagship customer, and will it remain at the current run rate?
A:The decline was due to a strategic shift away from Android, leading to reduced Android revenues, and the end-of-life of older products in automotive, industrial, and other segments. The company expects growth in new markets like PCs and AI devices to offset these declines, with significant growth anticipated between FY '26 and FY '27.
Q:How is the company tracking its revenue opportunity in PCs for fiscal '26 and fiscal '27?
A:The company expects PC revenue in fiscal '26 to roughly double from the low tens of millions in fiscal '25. They anticipate exiting fiscal '26 with strong growth momentum into fiscal '27. Key indicators include shipping with the top 6 laptop vendors, doubling revenue from mainstream platforms in fiscal '27, and increasing adoption of the SDCA interface, where they have won 75% of sockets.
Q:Are there any supply constraints impacting the quarter or outlook?
A:The company does not currently see any supply constraints. They manage capacity effectively due to the long life of their products.
Q:When will the company start seeing revenue contributions from the automotive opportunity, and how will the market play out over the next 2-3 years?
A:The company has not provided a specific time frame or revenue target for the automotive market. However, they see a healthy SAM of over $800 million by 2029 and aim to make automotive a 10% business over time. They are developing products in haptics, timing, audio, and telematics for this market.
Q:How should seasonality in fiscal '27 be considered given the staggered product launch of the largest customer?
A:The company does not anticipate any significant changes to its historic seasonality based on current long-term forecast signals.
Q:How does the rising cost of the largest customer influence component price negotiations?
A:The company operates in a normalized pricing environment, working collaboratively with customers on pricing. They offset pricing reductions with cost reductions and supply chain efficiencies. The 50 basis point contraction in gross margin year-over-year was due to anticipated pricing reductions.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing specific revenue targets or time frames for the automotive market and fiscal '27 PC revenue. They also used general language when discussing pricing negotiations and supply chain efficiencies, without offering detailed data or examples.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
Cirrus Logic
Consumer Electronics
Electronics Show
HPMS solution
IP battery
IP product
Logic summary
Ms session
OEMs PC
PC platform
PCs achievement
PCs momentum
PCs share
RD dollar
Show variety
achievement PCs
amplifier codecs
amplifier generation
application cabin
application opportunity
application series
audio prosumer
average complement
cabin interface
camera product
category product
customer product
driver
generation amplifier
life cycle
market component
product launch
product life
product portfolio
system
update
CRUS Transcript
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Positive2-3
The company reported a 4% YoY revenue increase and record EPS, indicating strong financial performance. Although gross margin declined slightly, the company offset this with cost reductions. Share buybacks and strong cash flow further enhance shareholder value. Optimistic guidance, particularly in the PC and AI markets, suggests future growth. Despite some strategic shifts and declines in certain segments, the company's expansion plans and new product developments in AI-enabled PCs and voice technology are promising. The Q&A session did not highlight significant risks, reinforcing a positive outlook.
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) Presents at Barclays 23rd Annual Global Technology Conference Transcript
Neutral12-11
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown11-4
The company reported a 4% YoY revenue increase and a solid gross margin of 52.5%, but concerns arise from its heavy reliance on the smartphone market and potential R&D delays. The Q&A revealed management's reluctance to provide specifics on new opportunities, adding uncertainty. The share repurchase program is a positive, yet broader economic risks and supply chain issues persist. With mixed signals from strong financials and cautious guidance, a neutral stock price movement is likely.
Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown8-5
The earnings call presents a mixed outlook. While financial performance and product innovation show positive trends, the guidance indicates a potential decline in revenue and gross margin. The Q&A highlights uncertainties in demand and management's vague responses. Share repurchases are a positive, but supply chain commitments pose risks. Overall, the sentiment is neutral, with no strong catalysts for significant stock price movement.
CRUS Slides
CRUS Report
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does this earnings call transcript come from?
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They are generated by a specialized financial-language model trained exclusively on 15+ years of earnings transcripts. The model extracts financial figures, guidance, and tone with 97%+ accuracy and is regularly validated against human analysts. The full raw transcript always remains available for verification.
