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ACM Research, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 36.6% on ECP: Revenue was $367.7 million, up 36.6% from $269.2 million, led by ECP (front-end and packaging), furnace and other technologies. Source
  • First 310 mm panel ECP tool shipped: In October the company shipped its first 310 × 310 mm Ultra ECP ap-p panel-level horizontal electroplating tool to a customer in Asia, following a 515 × 510 mm R&D tool last year. Source
  • Engagements growing outside mainland China: Management said global customer engagements are progressing, with growing engagements and equipment installations outside mainland China. Source
  • Gross margin slightly below long-term target: GAAP gross margin was 41.5%, against 42.0%, and non-GAAP was 41.6%, against 42.1%. Management said margin varies with product mix, currency and sales volume. Source
  • Operating margin rose to 15.1%: Operating income was $55.5 million, against $28.9 million. Non-GAAP operating income, excluding $10.7 million of stock-based compensation, was $66.2 million, a 18.0% margin. Source
  • Shipments reached $343.5 million: Total shipments were $343.5 million, up 30.6% from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Cash and deposits were $1.28 billion: Cash, restricted cash and short-term time deposits were $1.28 billion at September 30, 2026, down from $1.36 billion at June 30, 2026. Source

“We delivered another strong quarter, with revenue increasing 37% and shipments growing 31% year over year,”

Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACM

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$1.24 billion to $1.28 billionRaised from $1.125 billion to $1.175 billion
Gross margin, long-term business model target Sourcelong-term42% to 48%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year revenue range raised from $1.125 billion to $1.175 billion to $1.24 billion to $1.28 billion. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 36.6% on ECP: Revenue was $367.7 million, up 36.6% from $269.2 million, led by ECP (front-end and packaging), furnace and other technologies. Source
  • Net income fell to $1.5 million: Net income attributable to ACM was $1.5 million, against $35.9 million a year earlier. Non-GAAP net income attributable to ACM was $40.5 million, against $28.4 million. Source
  • GAAP and non-GAAP diluted EPS: GAAP diluted EPS was $0.02, against $0.52. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $0.55, against $0.41, excluding stock-based compensation and unrealized investment gains and losses. Source

Product categories and new tools

  • Cleaning, ECP and packaging all grew: Cleaning equipment revenue was $210.7 million, against $181.6 million. ECP, furnace and other technologies was $109.5 million, against $59.9 million. Advanced packaging, services and spares was $47.5 million, against $27.7 million. Source
  • ECP and packaging led growth: Management said ECP and advanced packaging led growth, and the cleaning category returned to year-over-year growth. Source
  • Enhanced hot SPM system adds acid recycling: In October the company introduced an enhanced Single-Wafer Hot SPM system with sulfuric acid recycling, achieving a 70% recycle rate while maintaining particle control. Source
  • First 310 mm panel ECP tool shipped: In October the company shipped its first 310 × 310 mm Ultra ECP ap-p panel-level horizontal electroplating tool to a customer in Asia, following a 515 × 510 mm R&D tool last year. Source

“We are raising our 2026 revenue outlook, and now expect revenue above the upper end of our prior range.”

Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACM

Customers and regional expansion

  • Engagements growing outside mainland China: Management said global customer engagements are progressing, with growing engagements and equipment installations outside mainland China. Source
  • Global sales and support investment: The company is investing in global sales, engineering and customer support to serve leading semiconductor manufacturers worldwide. Source
  • Asia capabilities and Oregon investment: Management described expanding Asia capabilities and continued Oregon operations investment as steps toward a more localized and responsive global operating platform. Source

Margins, costs and tax

  • Gross margin slightly below long-term target: GAAP gross margin was 41.5%, against 42.0%, and non-GAAP was 41.6%, against 42.1%. Management said margin varies with product mix, currency and sales volume. Source
  • Operating expenses rose, ratio fell: Operating expenses were $96.9 million, up 15.0%. As a share of revenue they fell to 26.3% from 31.3%; non-GAAP operating expenses fell to 23.6% from 28.6%. Source
  • Operating margin rose to 15.1%: Operating income was $55.5 million, against $28.9 million. Non-GAAP operating income, excluding $10.7 million of stock-based compensation, was $66.2 million, a 18.0% margin. Source
  • Income tax expense eased: Income tax expense was $1.9 million, against $2.7 million. The company attributed the change to the tax effect of lower pre-tax income. Source

“We are seeing increased traction for our high-temperature SPM systems.”

Dr. David Wang, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACM

Shipments and the fourth quarter

  • Shipments reached $343.5 million: Total shipments were $343.5 million, up 30.6% from the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Shipments include tools awaiting acceptance: Shipments include revenue deliveries in the quarter plus first tools awaiting customer acceptance, which may be recognized as revenue in later quarters. Source
  • Fourth-quarter shipment growth expected: Management said the revised full-year revenue view reflects continued customer demand and expected shipment growth in the fourth quarter. Source

Cash, investments and balance sheet

  • Cash and deposits were $1.28 billion: Cash, restricted cash and short-term time deposits were $1.28 billion at September 30, 2026, down from $1.36 billion at June 30, 2026. Source
  • Net cash was $0.9 billion: Net cash, excluding short-term and long-term borrowings, was $0.9 billion at September 30, 2026, compared with $1.0 billion at June 30, 2026. Source
  • Unrealized investment loss excluded from non-GAAP: Unrealized loss on short-term investments was $39.1 million, against an unrealized gain of $18.7 million a year earlier. The value is marked to market quarterly. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Lingang second building online Q4: The second Lingang building comes online in the fourth quarter, doubling manufacturing floor space. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total shipments Source$343.5 million, up 30.6%

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Management's full-year revenue view is based on its current assessment of the continuing impact of international trade policy. Source
  • Demand: The full-year revenue view also rests on expected customer spending scenarios, supply chain constraints and tool acceptance timing. Source
  • Operational: Timing of acceptances for first tools under evaluation in the field is a factor in the full-year revenue view. Source
  • Financial: Management expects gross margin to vary from period to period with product mix, currency impacts and sales volume. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Reported third-quarter revenue and shipments came in above the ranges in the October 28 preliminary release.

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.