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As the Q4 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the analog semiconductors industry, including NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ:NXPI) and its peers.
Demand for analog chips is generally linked to the overall level of economic growth, as analog chips serve as the building blocks of most electronic goods and equipment. Unlike digital chip designers, analog chip makers tend to produce the majority of their own chips, as analog chip production does not require expensive leading edge nodes. Less dependent on major secular growth drivers, analog product cycles are much longer, often 5-7 years.
The 15 analog semiconductors stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was above.
Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 8.4% since the latest earnings results.
NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ:NXPI)
Spun off from Dutch electronics giant Philips in 2006, NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) is a designer and manufacturer of chips used in autos, industrial manufacturing, mobile devices, and communications infrastructure.
NXP Semiconductors reported revenues of $3.11 billion, down 9.1% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with a narrow beat of analysts’ EPS estimates but an increase in its inventory levels.
“NXP delivered full-year 2024 revenue of $12.61 billion, a decrease of 5 percent year-on-year. In the fourth quarter, revenue was $3.11 billion, a decrease of 9 percent year-on-year, modestly above the mid-point of our guidance range. In review, NXP delivered resilient results throughout 2024, reflecting solid execution, consistent gross margin, and healthy free cash flow generation despite a challenging market environment. We rigorously focus on managing what is in our control, to navigate a soft landing while executing our growth strategy,” said Kurt Sievers, NXP President and Chief Executive Officer.
The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $204.90.
Is now the time to buy NXP Semiconductors? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.
Best Q4: Himax (NASDAQ:HIMX)
Taiwan-based Himax Technologies (NASDAQ:HIMX) is a leading manufacturer of display driver chips and timing controllers used in TVs, laptops, and mobile phones.
Himax reported revenues of $237.2 million, up 4.2% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 7.3%. The business had a stunning quarter with a significant improvement in its inventory levels and an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.