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ACM Research, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 2 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Q2 revenue grew 36% year-over-year: Revenue $292.9 million versus $215.4 million in Q2 2025. Six-month revenue $524.2 million versus $387.7 million, up 35.2%. Growth driven by higher sales across multiple product categories. Source
  • Shipments increased 36.4% year-over-year: Total shipments $281.5 million in Q2 2026 versus $206.4 million in Q2 2025. Shipments include deliveries for revenue and first tool systems awaiting customer acceptance. Source
  • ECP revenue surged 168% year-over-year: ECP (front-end and packaging), furnace and other technologies revenue $128.5 million versus $48.0 million in Q2 2025. Major driver of overall revenue expansion reflecting increased customer adoption. Source
  • Advanced packaging grew 153% year-over-year: Advanced packaging (excluding ECP), services & spares revenue $31.4 million versus $12.4 million in Q2 2025. Strong growth demonstrates successful expansion beyond traditional cleaning equipment. Source
  • Shipped 2,000th ECP chamber: Milestone demonstrates increasing adoption of ECP technology in high-volume manufacturing of logic, memory and 3D packaging. Prior milestones were 500 chambers in 2022 and 1,500 in 2025. Source
  • Gross margin declined 250 basis points: Gross margin 46.0% in Q2 2026 versus 48.5% in Q2 2025. Decline driven by product mix shift toward higher-volume ECP and advanced packaging. Non-GAAP gross margin 46.0% versus 48.7%. Source
  • Operating income increased 57% year-over-year: Operating income $49.7 million versus $31.7 million in Q2 2025. Operating margin 17.0% versus 14.7%. Non-GAAP operating income $56.3 million versus $41.5 million. Source
  • Raised revenue guidance to $1.125-1.175B: Raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance by $45 million at low end. Increase reflects confidence in customer demand and order activity visibility for remainder of 2026. Source
  • Raised growth rate to 25-30%: Raised revenue growth rate guidance from 21-30% to 25-30%, reflecting stronger first-half performance and improved visibility into customer spending and product ramp cycles. Source
  • 2026 positioned as "Big Year" for products: Multiple new platforms under customer evaluation and ramping: SPM Cleaning, Track, PECVD and horizontal panel-level plating for advanced packaging applications. Source
  • Net cash reached $1.0 billion: Net cash (excluding short-term and long-term borrowings) $1.0 billion at Q2 end versus $924.2 million at Q1 end, up $75.8 million. Total cash and equivalents $1.36 billion. Source

“We delivered a strong second quarter, with revenue and shipments both increasing 36% year over year”

Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Full-year 2026 revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$1.125 billion to $1.175 billionRaised from $1.08 billion to $1.175 billion
Full-year 2026 revenue growth rate Sourcefiscal year 202625% to 30%Raised from 21%-30%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 revenue range raised from $1.08-1.175B to $1.125-1.175B based on customer demand visibility Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 revenue growth rate raised from 21-30% to 25-30% reflecting stronger first-half performance Source

Second Quarter Revenue and Shipments

  • Q2 revenue grew 36% year-over-year: Revenue $292.9 million versus $215.4 million in Q2 2025. Six-month revenue $524.2 million versus $387.7 million, up 35.2%. Growth driven by higher sales across multiple product categories. Source
  • Shipments increased 36.4% year-over-year: Total shipments $281.5 million in Q2 2026 versus $206.4 million in Q2 2025. Shipments include deliveries for revenue and first tool systems awaiting customer acceptance. Source

Electroplating and Advanced Packaging Growth

  • ECP revenue surged 168% year-over-year: ECP (front-end and packaging), furnace and other technologies revenue $128.5 million versus $48.0 million in Q2 2025. Major driver of overall revenue expansion reflecting increased customer adoption. Source
  • Advanced packaging grew 153% year-over-year: Advanced packaging (excluding ECP), services & spares revenue $31.4 million versus $12.4 million in Q2 2025. Strong growth demonstrates successful expansion beyond traditional cleaning equipment. Source
  • Shipped 2,000th ECP chamber: Milestone demonstrates increasing adoption of ECP technology in high-volume manufacturing of logic, memory and 3D packaging. Prior milestones were 500 chambers in 2022 and 1,500 in 2025. Source

“We are raising our full-year 2026 revenue outloo k for 25% to 30% growth.”

Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer

Gross Margin and Profitability

  • Gross margin declined 250 basis points: Gross margin 46.0% in Q2 2026 versus 48.5% in Q2 2025. Decline driven by product mix shift toward higher-volume ECP and advanced packaging. Non-GAAP gross margin 46.0% versus 48.7%. Source
  • Margin remains above long-term target: Gross margin above mid-point of long-term business model target range of 42% to 48%. Company expects quarterly variation due to product mix, currency impacts and sales volume. Source
  • Operating income increased 57% year-over-year: Operating income $49.7 million versus $31.7 million in Q2 2025. Operating margin 17.0% versus 14.7%. Non-GAAP operating income $56.3 million versus $41.5 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS tripled on GAAP basis: GAAP diluted EPS $1.23 versus $0.44 in Q2 2025, benefiting from $69.6 million unrealized gain on short-term investments. Non-GAAP diluted EPS $0.61 versus $0.55, modest 11% increase. Source

Operating Expense Leverage

  • Operating expenses declining as percentage of revenue: OpEx $84.9 million (29.0% of revenue) versus $72.8 million (33.8% of revenue) in Q2 2025. Non-GAAP OpEx 26.8% of revenue versus 29.4%, showing operating leverage. Source
  • Revenue growth outpacing cost growth: Revenue up 36% while operating expenses up only 16.6%, demonstrating operational scalability and improving leverage as company scales business. Source

“We remain confident in our ability to outgrow the market through new product cycles, market share gains and increasing contributions from global markets as we execute toward our long-term revenue target of $4 billion.”

Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer

Raised 2026 Full-Year Guidance

  • Raised revenue guidance to $1.125-1.175B: Raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance by $45 million at low end. Increase reflects confidence in customer demand and order activity visibility for remainder of 2026. Source
  • Raised growth rate to 25-30%: Raised revenue growth rate guidance from 21-30% to 25-30%, reflecting stronger first-half performance and improved visibility into customer spending and product ramp cycles. Source
  • Guidance based on customer demand and trade policy: Guidance reflects current assessment of international trade policy impacts, customer spending scenarios, supply chain constraints, and timing of first tool customer acceptances. Source

New Product Portfolio Expanding

  • 2026 positioned as "Big Year" for products: Multiple new platforms under customer evaluation and ramping: SPM Cleaning, Track, PECVD and horizontal panel-level plating for advanced packaging applications. Source
  • High-temperature SPM cleaning technology presented: Presented proprietary high-temperature SPM cleaning technology at SPCC 2026 with particle performance of fewer than 15 particles at 15nm without periodic chamber cleaning for advanced GAA, DRAM and HBM. Source
  • Tahoe platform expanded to multi-process: Ultra C Tahoe system expanded with advanced wet etch and monitor wafer reclaim applications. Tahoe Recycle application running in volume production demonstrating platform scalability. Source
  • Ultra ECP ap-p tool orders received: Received first production order for 510×515mm Ultra ECP ap-p tool from China customer for H1 2027 delivery and evaluation order for 310×310mm tool from Asia panel manufacturer for Q4 2026 delivery. Source

Global Expansion and Strategic Initiatives

  • Oregon facility making solid progress: Expanding engagement with global customers and making solid progress on Oregon facility ramp-up as part of strategy to increase contributions from international markets. Source
  • Hong Kong listing of subsidiary ongoing: ACM Shanghai pursuing Hong Kong Stock Exchange secondary listing to strengthen capital base and expand international presence. Announced in Q1 2026, application process underway.
  • Long-term $4 billion revenue target: Confident in ability to outgrow market through new product cycles, market share gains and increasing contributions from global markets while executing toward $4 billion long-term revenue target. Source

Cash Position and Financial Strength

  • Net cash reached $1.0 billion: Net cash (excluding short-term and long-term borrowings) $1.0 billion at Q2 end versus $924.2 million at Q1 end, up $75.8 million. Total cash and equivalents $1.36 billion. Source
  • Strong cash generation supports strategy: Robust cash generation and balance sheet position provides financial flexibility to fund strategic initiatives, new product development and market expansion activities. Source

Demand Visibility and Market Position

  • Customer demand provides good H2 visibility: Customer demand as demonstrated by increased order activity providing good visibility for remainder of 2026. Orders support confidence in maintaining growth momentum through year-end. Source
  • Market share gains from technology leadership: Confident in outgrowing market through combination of new product cycles, market share gains in existing products, and expanding global customer base and engagement. Source

Coming up, per management

  • New product ramps progressing: Proceeding with customer evaluations and product ramps across SPM Cleaning, Track, PECVD and horizontal panel-level plating platforms for advanced packaging applications. Source
  • Ultra ECP ap-p tool deliveries scheduled: First production order for 510×515mm Ultra ECP ap-p tool scheduled for H1 2027 delivery to China customer. Evaluation order for 310×310mm tool scheduled for Q4 2026 delivery to Asia panel manufacturer. Source
  • Oregon facility expansion continuing: Making solid progress on Oregon facility ramp-up as part of strategy to expand global manufacturing capabilities and international market presence. Source

Risks management discussed

  • External: International trade policy impacts on business operations and revenue generation in multiple markets globally. Source
  • Demand: Uncertainty in customer spending scenarios and timing of capital equipment purchases could affect revenue and growth rates. Source
  • Operational: Supply chain constraints could impact ability to meet customer demands and delivery schedules. Source
  • Operational: Timing of customer acceptances for first tools under evaluation remains uncertain and could affect revenue recognition and guidance achievement. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Continuing expansion of Oregon facility operations Source
  • On track: Proceeding with customer evaluations and ramping across multiple new product platforms Source

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point carries a quote that is checked word for word against the filing; a point whose quote is not found is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.