In This Article:
Release Date: May 08, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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Applied Optoelectronics Inc (NASDAQ:AAOI) achieved the highest quarterly CATV revenue in its history during Q1 2025.
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The company reported a significant year-over-year revenue increase, more than doubling compared to Q1 of the previous year.
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Gross margin expanded by over 1,000 basis points year-over-year, indicating improved profitability.
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The company is on track to expand production capacity for 800G and higher transceivers, with plans to produce over 200,000 pieces per month by mid-2026.
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Positive feedback was received from customers regarding the company's plans for domestic production, enhancing supply chain security and customer confidence.
Negative Points
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Sequential revenue decline in the data center segment due to seasonality and inventory digestion from a major customer.
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Non-GAAP net loss for Q1 was $0.9 million, indicating ongoing financial challenges.
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The company anticipates a modest pullback in CATV revenue in Q2 due to production retooling.
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Supply constraints affected the ability to meet increased demand for certain 100G products, impacting revenue potential.
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The company faces ongoing risks related to tariffs, which could impact future financial performance and operational costs.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you provide insight into the channel inventory for your cable TV products and the impact of tariffs on inventory levels? A: We have telemetry features and receive reports from MSOs and channel partners, giving us a good understanding of inventory levels. There is an intentional inventory build-up due to the evolving tariff situation, but we are comfortable with our knowledge of these levels. (Respondent: CFO)
Q: What is the expected trajectory for 800GB products in the second half of the year? A: By the end of the year, we expect to have a production capacity of about 100,000 pieces per month, primarily 800GB. There will be a ramp-up from near zero now to that level by year-end. (Respondent: CFO)
Q: Are you manufacturing anything in China that gets shipped to the US? A: We do certain manufacturing operations in China, but the ultimate country of origin for tariff purposes is not China. (Respondent: CFO)
Q: Can you elaborate on the retooling to Motorola-style amplifiers and its impact on cable TV revenue? A: We have sufficient inventory of GameMaker platform products and are shifting production to Motorola-style amplifiers, expecting final field trial and qualification soon. This will ensure significant inventory of both products stateside by the end of June. (Respondent: CFO)