ACM Research, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call
What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 narrowed, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.
Key takeaways
- Revenue and shipments both grew: Revenue was $231.3 million, up 34.2%, and total shipments were $240.7 million, up 53.6%. Management attributed growth to ECP, furnace and other technologies, and advanced packaging. Source
- Net income attributable to ACM declined: Net income attributable to ACM Research was $17.3 million, against $20.4 million, while total net income was $26.2 million, against $25.0 million. Source
- ECP and furnace revenue more than tripled: ECP (front-end and packaging), furnace and other technologies revenue was $84.2 million, against $27.6 million. Management tied growth to ECP and advanced packaging customer adoption. Source
- Planetary Family product structure launched: The company organized its products into eight families aligned with key semiconductor manufacturing steps, collectively called the Eight Planets series. Source
- Non-GAAP operating margin declined: Non-GAAP operating margin was 18.1% against 20.7%, while GAAP operating margin was 15.6% against 15.0%. Source
- Shipments ran ahead of revenue: Shipments of $240.7 million exceeded revenue of $231.3 million. Management said shipments include first tools awaiting customer acceptance, which may be recognized as revenue in later quarters. Source
- ACM Shanghai shares sold for $110 million: On February 6, 2026, ACM completed the sale of about 4.8 million ACM Shanghai shares at RMB160.00 per share, generating about $110 million gross and about $86 million net of taxes. Source
- Hong Kong H share listing proposed: ACM Shanghai announced a proposed issuance of overseas listed H shares and a secondary listing application on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Source
“Our business has momentum, our strategy is working, and we remain firmly committed to delivering world-class innovative solutions to meet current and future requirements across a broad and expanding global customer base.”
Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer
Guidance
| Area | Period | Figure | Against last quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue Source | fiscal year 2026 | $1.08 billion to $1.175 billion | Kept |
| Revenue growth Source | fiscal year 2026 | 21%-30% | Narrowed, low end up from 20% to 30% |
| Gross margin, long-term model target Source | long-term | 42% to 48% |
What changed from last quarter
- Guidance raised: Revenue growth range low end moved from 20% to 21% compared with the April 27 release. Source
- Guidance kept: Dollar revenue range of $1.08 billion to $1.175 billion is unchanged from the April 27 release. Source
- New: Launched the ACM Planetary Family, a process-based portfolio structure with eight product families. Source
- New: Completed sale of about 4.8 million ACM Shanghai shares on February 6, 2026. Source
- New: ACM Shanghai announced a proposed H share issuance and a Hong Kong secondary listing application. Source
Results and growth drivers
- Revenue and shipments both grew: Revenue was $231.3 million, up 34.2%, and total shipments were $240.7 million, up 53.6%. Management attributed growth to ECP, furnace and other technologies, and advanced packaging. Source
- Diluted EPS fell to $0.24: Diluted EPS attributable to ACM was $0.24, against $0.30. Non-GAAP diluted EPS, which excludes stock-based compensation and unrealized losses on short-term investments, was $0.34 against $0.46. Source
- GAAP operating income rose 40%: Operating income was $36.2 million, up 40.3% from $25.8 million. Non-GAAP operating income, which excludes stock-based compensation, was $41.8 million, up 17.4%. Source
- Net income attributable to ACM declined: Net income attributable to ACM Research was $17.3 million, against $20.4 million, while total net income was $26.2 million, against $25.0 million. Source
Segments and product categories
- ECP and furnace revenue more than tripled: ECP (front-end and packaging), furnace and other technologies revenue was $84.2 million, against $27.6 million. Management tied growth to ECP and advanced packaging customer adoption. Source
- Single wafer cleaning revenue declined: Single wafer cleaning, Tahoe and semi-critical cleaning equipment revenue was $122.5 million, against $129.6 million, a decline of about 5%. Source
- Advanced packaging and services grew: Advanced packaging (excluding ECP), services and spares revenue was $24.5 million, against $15.1 million, up about 62%. Source
“We expect 2026 to be a big year for new products at ACM.”
Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer
Products and customers
- Planetary Family product structure launched: The company organized its products into eight families aligned with key semiconductor manufacturing steps, collectively called the Eight Planets series. Source
- First PECVD SiCN system shipped: The first PECVD SiCN system, part of the Saturn Series within the ACM Planetary Family, shipped to a leading semiconductor manufacturer. It met customer-defined specifications in the Lingang lab and was delivered for final validation. Source
- Advanced packaging systems shipped on schedule: Ultra C vac-p panel-level vacuum cleaning systems shipped to a leading global packaging manufacturer outside mainland China, and wafer-level systems to an OSAT customer in Singapore. Source
Operating costs
- Operating expenses rose 25%: Operating expenses were $71.1 million, up 25.2%, and fell to 30.7% of revenue from 32.9%. Non-GAAP operating expenses were $65.8 million, up 38.5%, rising to 28.4% of revenue from 27.6%. Source
- R&D spending rose about a third: Research and development expense was $36.5 million, against $27.5 million. Management said R&D over five years, with the internal Lingang mini-line, is paying off with new offerings. Source
- Sales and G&A costs rose: Sales and marketing was $20.7 million against $16.3 million, and general and administrative was $13.8 million against $12.9 million. Source
Margins, tax and profitability
- GAAP gross margin edged lower: Gross margin was 46.4% against 47.9%, and non-GAAP gross margin was 46.5% against 48.2%. Source
- Non-GAAP operating margin declined: Non-GAAP operating margin was 18.1% against 20.7%, while GAAP operating margin was 15.6% against 15.0%. Source
- Income tax expense rose: Income tax expense was $3.8 million, against $2.2 million. Source
Demand and order book
- Shipments ran ahead of revenue: Shipments of $240.7 million exceeded revenue of $231.3 million. Management said shipments include first tools awaiting customer acceptance, which may be recognized as revenue in later quarters. Source
- Advances from customers declined: Advances from customers were $168.8 million at March 31, 2026, down from $187.8 million at December 31, 2025. Source
- Inventory and receivables increased: Inventories, net rose to $738.0 million from $702.6 million, and accounts receivable, net rose to $526.5 million from $504.3 million. Source
Cash, borrowings and capital
- ACM Shanghai shares sold for $110 million: On February 6, 2026, ACM completed the sale of about 4.8 million ACM Shanghai shares at RMB160.00 per share, generating about $110 million gross and about $86 million net of taxes. Source
- Cash and deposits reached $1.25 billion: Cash, restricted cash and short-term time deposits were $1.25 billion, up from $1.13 billion at December 31, 2025. Net cash, excluding borrowings, was $924.2 million against $844.5 million. Source
- Borrowings rose on both lines: Short-term borrowings were $94.0 million, against $74.0 million, and long-term borrowings were $220.9 million, against $178.9 million. Source
- Weighted diluted shares increased: Weighted average diluted shares were 69.8 million, against 67.0 million, and basic shares were 65.8 million, against 63.3 million. Source
Strategy and investment
- Hong Kong H share listing proposed: ACM Shanghai announced a proposed issuance of overseas listed H shares and a secondary listing application on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Source
- Global market expansion steps: Management said additional steps are being taken to expand capabilities in global markets. Source
- New products expected to add revenue: Management expects incremental 2026 revenue from Tahoe, single-wafer SPM and vertical furnace, plus more evaluations of several new platforms. Source
Subsidiary ownership and minority interests
- ACM holds about 74% of ACM Shanghai: ACM owns about 74% of ACM Shanghai, which contributes a substantial majority of consolidated revenue and net income.
- Non-controlling share of net income rose: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests was $8.9 million, against $4.6 million, and comprehensive income attributable to them was $16.2 million, against $5.0 million. Source
- Unrealized investment loss excluded from non-GAAP: Unrealized loss on short-term investments was $1.4 million, against $1.1 million, and the company excludes it from non-GAAP results. Source
Coming up, as management said on 7 May 2026
- Oregon facility ramp-up later this year: Management said the ramp-up of its Oregon facility is due later in 2026. Source
- Hong Kong listing still proposed: The H share listing is described as proposed; the release gives no completion date for it. Source
Figures management reported
| Figure | Reported |
|---|---|
| Total shipments Source | $240.7 million, up 53.6% |
Risks management discussed
- Regulatory: Revenue guidance rests on management's assessment of the continuing impact of international trade policy. Source
- Demand: Guidance also depends on expected spending scenarios of key customers and on supply chain constraints. Source
- Financial: Management said gross margin may vary between periods because of product mix, currency and sales volume. Source
Earlier plans management reported on
- Met: Management said the Ultra C panel system and the wafer-level systems were completed on schedule. Source
- Not stated: The April 27 release reaffirmed the full-year 2026 revenue range of $1.08 billion to $1.175 billion.
Other quarters
Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.