Manufacturer of analog chips Analog Devices (NASDAQ:ADI) reported revenue ahead of Wall Street’s expectations in Q1 CY2025, with sales up 22.3% year on year to $2.64 billion. On top of that, next quarter’s revenue guidance ($2.75 billion at the midpoint) was surprisingly good and 4.5% above what analysts were expecting. Its non-GAAP profit of $1.85 per share was 9.1% above analysts’ consensus estimates.
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Analog Devices (ADI) Q1 CY2025 Highlights:
- Revenue: $2.64 billion vs analyst estimates of $2.51 billion (22.3% year-on-year growth, 5.2% beat)
- Adjusted EPS: $1.85 vs analyst estimates of $1.70 (9.1% beat)
- Adjusted Operating Income: $1.09 billion vs analyst estimates of $1.01 billion (41.2% margin, 7.8% beat)
- Revenue Guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $2.75 billion at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $2.63 billion
- Adjusted EPS guidance for Q2 CY2025 is $1.92 at the midpoint, above analyst estimates of $1.82
- Operating Margin: 25.7%, up from 17.9% in the same quarter last year
- Free Cash Flow Margin: 27.6%, down from 28.7% in the same quarter last year
- Inventory Days Outstanding: 135, in line with the previous quarter
- Market Capitalization: $110.2 billion
"ADI delivered second quarter revenue and earnings per share above the high end of guidance," said Vincent Roche, CEO and Chair.
Company Overview
Founded by two MIT graduates, Ray Stata and Matthew Lorber in 1965, Analog Devices (NASDAQ:ADI) is one of the largest providers of high performance analog integrated circuits used mainly in industrial end markets, along with communications, autos, and consumer devices.
Sales Growth
Reviewing a company’s long-term sales performance reveals insights into its quality. Any business can have short-term success, but a top-tier one grows for years. Thankfully, Analog Devices’s 12.1% annualized revenue growth over the last five years was solid. Its growth beat the average semiconductor company and shows its offerings resonate with customers. Semiconductors are a cyclical industry, and long-term investors should be prepared for periods of high growth followed by periods of revenue contractions.
Long-term growth is the most important, but short-term results matter for semiconductors because the rapid pace of technological innovation (Moore's Law) could make yesterday's hit product obsolete today. Analog Devices’s recent performance marks a sharp pivot from its five-year trend as its revenue has shown annualized declines of 12.7% over the last two years. 
This quarter, Analog Devices reported robust year-on-year revenue growth of 22.3%, and its $2.64 billion of revenue topped Wall Street estimates by 5.2%. Adding to the positive news, Analog Devices’s growth inflected positively this quarter, indicating that the recent cyclical downturn is likely in the rearview mirror. Company management is currently guiding for a 18.9% year-on-year increase in sales next quarter.
Looking further ahead, sell-side analysts expect revenue to grow 11.2% over the next 12 months, an improvement versus the last two years. This projection is commendable and implies its newer products and services will catalyze better top-line performance.
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Product Demand & Outstanding Inventory
Days Inventory Outstanding (DIO) is an important metric for chipmakers, as it reflects a business’ capital intensity and the cyclical nature of semiconductor supply and demand. In a tight supply environment, inventories tend to be stable, allowing chipmakers to exert pricing power. Steadily increasing DIO can be a warning sign that demand is weak, and if inventories continue to rise, the company may have to downsize production.
This quarter, Analog Devices’s DIO came in at 135, which is 14 days above its five-year average, suggesting that the company’s inventory levels are higher than what we’ve seen in the past.
Key Takeaways from Analog Devices’s Q1 Results
We were impressed by how significantly Analog Devices blew past analysts’ EPS expectations this quarter. We were also excited its adjusted operating income outperformed Wall Street’s estimates by a wide margin. Zooming out, we think this quarter featured some important positives. The stock traded up 3.6% to $230 immediately following the results.
Sure, Analog Devices had a solid quarter, but if we look at the bigger picture, is this stock a buy? When making that decision, it’s important to consider its valuation, business qualities, as well as what has happened in the latest quarter. We cover that in our actionable full research report which you can read here, it’s free.