Aehr Test Systems (AEHR) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Record Revenue Growth and Strategic ...

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Wed, Apr 9, 2025, 1:01 AM 4 min read

Revenue: $18.3 million, a 142% increase compared to $7.6 million in Q3 last year.
Gross Margin: 42.7%, compared to 42.5% in the same period last year.
Net Income: Non-GAAP net income of $2.0 million or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to a non-GAAP net loss of $888,000 or negative $0.03 per diluted share in Q3 fiscal 2024.
Bookings: $24.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2025.
Backlog: $18.2 million at the end of the quarter, with an effective backlog of $21.8 million after additional bookings.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: $31.4 million at the end of Q3, down from $35.2 million at the end of Q2.
Operating Expenses: Non-GAAP operating expenses were $6.3 million, a 34% increase from $4.7 million in Q3 last year.
Interest Income: $270,000 earned in the third quarter.

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with AEHR.

Release Date: April 08, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) reported significant revenue growth, exceeding analyst expectations for both revenue and bottom line for the third quarter.
The company has successfully diversified its revenue streams, reducing reliance on silicon carbide, which accounted for over 90% of business in fiscal 2024, to less than 40% this year.
Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) has expanded into high-growth markets such as AI processors, gallium nitride semiconductors, and hard disk drive components.
The company has made significant progress in developing new products, including the world's first wafer-level burn-in systems specifically designed for AI processors.
Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) has a robust supply chain strategy to mitigate potential impacts from tariffs, including redirecting materials and utilizing international locations for assembly and testing.

Negative Points

The company is facing uncertainty due to recent U.S. tariff announcements, which could lead to potential delays or pauses in customer orders and supply chain disruptions.
Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) has temporarily withdrawn its guidance for the current fiscal year due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and their secondary effects.
The company experienced a lower-than-expected gross margin due to onetime charges related to inventory accounting adjustments and high manufacturing overhead.
There are concerns about potential legal expenses in upcoming quarters as Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ:AEHR) seeks to protect its intellectual property rights in China and defend against class action and derivative complaints in the U.S.
The integration of the InCal acquisition is ongoing, with plans to shut down the InCal facility by the first quarter of fiscal 2026, which may involve additional costs and operational adjustments.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you provide more details on the potential impact of tariffs on Aehr Test Systems and its customers? A: Gayn Erickson, President and CEO, explained that the impact of tariffs is more about specific customers and geographies rather than markets. For instance, a hard disk drive customer has systems going to a location outside the US, which could be subject to tariffs depending on timing. Aehr is considering tariff drawbacks and drop shipping to mitigate impacts. The company is also redirecting materials and has a robust supply chain to manage potential disruptions.

Q: Given the current backlog, is it reasonable to expect that not all of it will be shipped this quarter? A: Gayn Erickson noted that some backlog, particularly for the hard disk drive customer, is planned for future quarters. While some customer forecasts suggest shipments this quarter, orders have not yet been placed. The situation is fluid, with potential upside and downside, and the company has temporarily withdrawn guidance due to these uncertainties.

Q: How do you see the growth prospects for Aehr Test Systems in the next year or two, especially with the diversification beyond silicon carbide? A: Erickson highlighted that silicon carbide is expected to recover, with shifts to high-voltage testing driving demand. Growth is also anticipated in gallium nitride, silicon photonics, and AI processors. The company is optimistic about the production burn-in for AI processors and the potential for wafer-level burn-in to become a significant growth driver.

Q: Can you elaborate on the value proposition of wafer-level burn-in for AI processors and its commercial viability? A: Erickson explained that wafer-level burn-in allows for testing and weeding out failures before packaging, which is more cost-effective than system-level testing. Aehr's technology enables precise power and thermal control, making it a viable alternative to traditional methods. The company is already seeing interest from multiple customers in this area.

Q: What is the timeline for receiving mass production orders from the flash memory company you are working with? A: Erickson stated that the company is currently working on proof-of-concept and expects to move to co-development of a test system with the customer over the next year. Volume orders are anticipated in fiscal 2027, with the potential for significant market impact.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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