Top investor Stone Fox Capital believes Super Micro Computer's recent debt raise and AI-driven demand will help the company overcome its capital issues and achieve meaningful revenue growth. Despite missing Q4 earnings estimates, Stone Fox argues that the bar for an earnings beat in FY 2026 is set low and the stock could trade higher once investors regain confidence.
Super Micro Computer (SMCI) has been on a rollercoaster ride in recent quarters, with its stock experiencing significant volatility. After a strong recovery in 2025, the company's fourth-quarter earnings report in August brought a sharp correction, with shares plunging over 18% following the release. The earnings miss, coupled with guidance that fell short of expectations, has investors and analysts divided on the company's future prospects.
The company reported a 7.4% year-over-year (YOY) increase in revenue to $5.8 billion, but this figure fell short of analyst expectations. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $0.41, a notable 24% decline from the prior year. Gross margins slipped to 9.5%, down from 10.2% a year ago, indicating mounting cost pressures and thinner margins [1]. The company attributed the earnings shortfall to President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported goods, which have added to the company's cost structure.
Despite the disappointing Q4 performance, some analysts remain optimistic about SMCI's long-term prospects. J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee noted that the company's launch of Data Center Building Block Solutions (DCBBS) is expected to extend SMCI's leadership in advanced technical solutions and drive higher margins [2]. However, Chatterjee cautioned that the challenging backdrop in relation to managing growth and margins in the near- to medium-term may weigh on the stock.
Barclays analyst Tim Long also raised the price target for SMCI stock to $45 from $29, noting that the DCBBS solution is expected to help the company grow its revenue, market share, and profitability. However, Long reiterated a Hold rating on SMCI stock, citing near-term pressures like uncertainty around AI server builds and production ramp challenges [2].
Top investor Stone Fox Capital believes that SMCI's recent debt raise and AI-driven demand will help the company overcome its capital issues and achieve meaningful revenue growth. Despite missing Q4 earnings estimates, Stone Fox argues that the bar for an earnings beat in FY 2026 is set low and the stock could trade higher once investors regain confidence [3].
The wide range of price targets, from $15 to a Street-high of $70, underscores the uncertainty surrounding SMCI's near-term trajectory. While some analysts remain bullish on its long-term AI-driven potential, others are wary of execution risks and margin pressures. With sentiment this divided, the stock’s path forward may remain volatile as investors wait for more apparent signs of sustained growth.
References:
[1] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/super-micro-computer-stock-headed-160548975.html
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/super-micro-computer-q4-fy25-disappoints-analysts-warn-limited-upside-ongoing-challenges-2508/
[3] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/super-micro-computer-smci-lags-q4-earnings-and-revenue-estimates
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