Super Micro forecasts quarterly revenue above estimates on strong AI server demand

By Prathik Jayaprakash

Nov 3 (Reuters) - Super Micro Computer forecast second-quarter revenue above Wall Street estimates on Tuesday as strong demand for its AI-optimized servers boosted sales, sending the company’s shares up more than 9% in extended trading.

The San Jose, California-based server maker has been a key beneficiary of the AI infrastructure boom, with strong demand for its Nvidia-powered systems as cloud providers and technology companies continue to expand data-center capacity.

Here are more details:

• Super Micro Computer appointed former Western Digital executive Mark Long as CFO last month, nearly two years after launching a search for the role amid concerns over its financial and accounting practices

• Super Micro reported first-quarter revenue of $19.95 billion, above  analysts’ average estimate of $16.39 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG

• It earned $1.81 per share on an adjusted basis for the quarter ended September 30, compared with estimates of $1.23

• Gross margins for the quarter stood at 12.7%, ahead of preliminary estimate of 12.0% to 12.5%

• The company expects second-quarter revenue in the range of $19.5 billion to $21.5 billion, above analysts’ estimate of $17.14 billion

• It also forecast fiscal 2027 revenue of $72.0 billion to $82.0 billion, compared with its prior forecast of $65.0 billion to $72.0 billion and the Street’s estimate of $69.17 billion

• The company has faced scrutiny after a contractor pleaded guilty last month to charges related to illegally exporting servers containing advanced Nvidia AI chips to China

• The company is embedding compliance into its culture and expanding resources to ensure robust internal controls, Long told Reuters