As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here's a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today we are looking at the analog semiconductors stocks, starting with Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST).
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 weaker Q4; on average, revenues beat analyst consensus estimates by 1.69%, while on average next quarter revenue guidance was 2.68% under consensus. Tech stocks have been hit the hardest as investors start to value profits over growth , but analog semiconductors stocks held their ground better than others, with the share prices up 0.37% since the previous earnings results, on average.
Best Q4: Sensata Technologies (NYSE:ST)
Originally a temperature sensor control maker and part of Texas Instruments for 60 years, before eventually being spun out, Sensata Technology Holdings (NYSE: ST) is a leading supplier of analog sensors used in industrial and transportation applications, best known for its dominant position in the tire pressure monitoring systems in cars.
Sensata Technologies reported revenues of $1.01 billion, up 8.57% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 1.67%. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with a beat on the bottom line but underwhelming revenue guidance for the next quarter.
"Sensata continued to execute its strategic growth plan and delivered 10.0% organic revenue growth in the fourth quarter and a record $4.0 billion in revenue for the full year, including revenue growth outpacing markets served by 820 basis points,” said Jeff Cote, CEO and President of Sensata.
The stock is up 5.49% since the results and currently trades at $48.4.
Read our full report on Sensata Technologies here, it's free.
Vishay Intertechnology (NYSE:VSH)
Named after the founder's ancestral village in present-day Lithuania, Vishay Intertechnology (NYSE:VSH) manufactures simple chips and electronic components that are building blocks of virtually all types of electronic devices.
Vishay Intertechnology reported revenues of $855.3 million, up 1.45% year on year, missing analyst expectations by 3.1%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with underwhelming revenue guidance for the next quarter and a miss of the top line analyst estimates.
Vishay Intertechnology had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is down 8.45% since the results and currently trades at $21.98.
Is now the time to buy Vishay Intertechnology? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it's free.
Weakest Q4: Magnachip (NYSE:MX)
With its technology found in common consumer electronics such as TVs and smartphones, Magnachip Semiconductor (NYSE:MX) is a provider of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors.
Magnachip reported revenues of $61 million, down 44.7% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 2.22%. It was a weak quarter for the company, with declining revenue. The stock is down 11.6% since the results and currently trades at $9.08.
Read our full analysis of Magnachip's results here.
MACOM Technology (NASDAQ:MTSI)
Founded in the 1950s as Microwave Associates, a communications supplier to the US Army Signal Corp, today MACOM Technology Solutions (NASDAQ: MTSI) is a provider of analog chips used in optical, wireless, and satellite networks.
MACOM Technology reported revenues of $180.1 million, up 12.8% year on year, in line with analyst expectations. It was a mixed quarter for the company, with underwhelming revenue guidance for the next quarter and an increase in inventory levels.
The stock is up 3.33% since the results and currently trades at $70.75.
Read our full, actionable report on MACOM Technology here, it's free.
Analog Devices (NASDAQ:ADI)
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.
Analog Devices reported revenues of $3.25 billion, up 21.1% year on year, beating analyst expectations by 3.16%. It was a strong quarter for the company, with very optimistic guidance for the next quarter.
The stock is up 3.26% since the results and currently trades at $188.4.
Read our full, actionable report on Analog Devices here, it's free.
The author has no position in any of the stocks mentioned