GlobalFoundries stock jumps after better-than-expected quarterly results

Shares of chip producer GlobalFoundries Inc. gained greater than 6.6% in buying and selling as we speak after the corporate posted better-than-expected monetary outcomes for the fourth quarter.

Malta, New York-based GlobalFoundries generated revenues of $2.1 billion within the quarter ended Dec. 31. That represents a 14% improve from the identical time a yr in the past. Its gross sales topped the Zacks consensus estimate by simply over one proportion level, marking the fourth time in a yr the corporate has surpassed analysts’ expectations.

GlobalFoundries is a contract chip producer that makes semiconductors for different corporations. It operates 4 vegetation, or fabs, with capacity to supply about 2.4 million wafers’ value of chips per yr. Its silicon might be present in handsets, vehicles, community switches and all kinds of different methods.

Many chips don’t should be produced utilizing essentially the most superior manufacturing strategies available on the market to fulfill buyer necessities. GlobalFoundries makes a speciality of making such chips. Whereas the processor that powers Apple Inc.’s iPhone 14 Professional is predicated on a four-nanometer course of, many GlobalFoundries manufacturing strains use 130-nanometer or older manufacturing strategies.

GlobalFoundries’ fabs produce chips with a number of several types of transistors. The corporate makes chips based mostly on the industry-standard FinFET transistor design, which powers most central processing models and graphics playing cards. It additionally makes use of the sooner CMOS and FDX designs, which provide extra restricted capabilities than FinFET however can present higher cost-efficiency. 

GlobalFoundries topped income expectations within the fourth quarter regardless of decreased customer demand for units equivalent to private computer systems and smartphones. The slowing demand weighed on the earnings of different chipmakers, together with Intel Corp. and Superior Micro Gadgets Inc., GlobalFoundries’ former mum or dad firm. It operated as AMD’s chip manufacturing subsidiary till 2008, when it spun off into an unbiased firm.

Earnings per share additionally surpassed expectations. The corporate logged a internet revenue of $668 million within the fourth quarter, which amounted to earnings of $1.44 per share. Analysts surveyed by Zacks had anticipated $1.34 per share.

“Within the fourth quarter, the GF staff continued to execute on its commitments to clients and shareholders, regardless of the well-publicized stock correction,” mentioned Chief Govt Officer Thomas Caulfield. “As we glance to 2023, we are going to proceed to deepen our engagements with our clients in bringing specialty and differentiated options to market.”

Within the first quarter of 2023, GlobalFoundries expects to generate revenues of between $1.81 billion and $1.85 billion. The corporate estimates its earnings will vary from 45 to 53 cents per share, at a minimal assembly the 45 cents anticipated by analysts.

GlobalFoundries is investing in new chip applied sciences to help long-term income progress. Final week, it inked a cope with car chip provider Renesas Electronics Corp. to buy the latter firm’s CBRAM reminiscence know-how. CBRAM is a kind of cost- and power-efficient reminiscence that’s optimized to be used in linked units.

Picture: GlobalFoundries