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Fabrinet: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and EPS above guidance ranges: Management said third-quarter revenue and non-GAAP diluted EPS exceeded the ranges given in the prior release, which guided revenue to $1.15 billion to $1.20 billion and non-GAAP EPS to $3.45 to $3.60. Source
  • Revenue up from a year earlier: Third-quarter revenue was $1,214.3 million, up from $871.8 million a year earlier and from $1,132.9 million in the second quarter. Source
  • GAAP operating margin rose to 9.9%: GAAP operating profit was $120.0 million, or 9.9% of revenue, against 9.0% a year earlier. Non-GAAP operating margin was 10.7%, down from 10.9% in the second quarter. Source
  • Fourth-quarter revenue range set: Revenue for the quarter ending June 26, 2026 is guided to $1.25 billion to $1.29 billion. Source
  • Fourth-quarter EPS ranges given: GAAP diluted EPS is guided to $3.48 to $3.63 and non-GAAP to $3.72 to $3.87, both on about 36.3 million fully diluted shares. Source
  • Free cash flow negative in quarter: Non-GAAP free cash flow was negative $10.8 million in the quarter, against $45.7 million a year earlier, and negative $5.3 million in the second quarter. Nine-month free cash flow was $41.1 million against $202.6 million. Source
  • Capital spending increased sharply: Purchases of property, plant and equipment were $63.8 million in the quarter against $28.5 million, and $160.6 million for nine months against $70.7 million. Source

“Our third quarter was exceptionally strong, delivering record financial results that exceeded our guidance ranges.”

Seamus Grady, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026, ending June 26, 2026$1.25 billion to $1.29 billionNew
GAAP net income per diluted share SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$3.48 to $3.63New
Non-GAAP net income per diluted share SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$3.72 to $3.87New
Share-based compensation adjustment to EPS SourceFourth quarter of fiscal 2026$0.24 per diluted shareNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fourth-quarter guidance for revenue, GAAP diluted EPS and non-GAAP diluted EPS was issued. The prior release gave guidance only for the third quarter. Source

Third quarter results against guidance

  • Revenue and EPS above guidance ranges: Management said third-quarter revenue and non-GAAP diluted EPS exceeded the ranges given in the prior release, which guided revenue to $1.15 billion to $1.20 billion and non-GAAP EPS to $3.45 to $3.60. Source
  • Revenue up from a year earlier: Third-quarter revenue was $1,214.3 million, up from $871.8 million a year earlier and from $1,132.9 million in the second quarter. Source
  • GAAP and non-GAAP EPS both higher: GAAP diluted EPS was $3.45 against $2.25, and non-GAAP diluted EPS $3.72 against $2.52. GAAP net income was $125.2 million against $81.3 million; non-GAAP net income $134.9 million against $91.2 million. Source

Margins and operating costs

  • Gross margin higher than a year ago: GAAP gross margin was 11.9%, against 11.7% a year earlier and 12.2% in the second quarter. Non-GAAP gross margin was 12.1%, against 12.0% a year earlier. Source
  • GAAP operating margin rose to 9.9%: GAAP operating profit was $120.0 million, or 9.9% of revenue, against 9.0% a year earlier. Non-GAAP operating margin was 10.7%, down from 10.9% in the second quarter. Source
  • SG&A, tax and interest moved: SG&A expenses rose to $24.3 million from $22.1 million, and income tax expense to $9.0 million from $5.0 million. Interest income fell to $7.4 million from $10.1 million. Source
  • Currency gain and excluded costs: Net foreign exchange was a gain of $7.0 million, against a loss of $2.7 million a year earlier. Share-based compensation of $8.5 million, legal costs of $0.5 million and severance of $0.6 million were excluded from non-GAAP operating profit. Source

“Growth was supported by numerous ongoing and ramping programs that continue to provide meaningful tailwinds.”

Seamus Grady, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Business footprint and scope

  • Optical packaging and EMS focus: The company describes itself as a provider of advanced optical packaging and precision optical, electro-mechanical and electronic manufacturing services to OEMs of complex products. Source
  • Engineering sites in four countries: The company maintains engineering and manufacturing resources and facilities in Thailand, the United States, the People’s Republic of China and Israel. Source

Fourth-quarter guidance

  • Fourth-quarter revenue range set: Revenue for the quarter ending June 26, 2026 is guided to $1.25 billion to $1.29 billion. Source
  • Fourth-quarter EPS ranges given: GAAP diluted EPS is guided to $3.48 to $3.63 and non-GAAP to $3.72 to $3.87, both on about 36.3 million fully diluted shares. Source
  • Share-based compensation excluded from non-GAAP: Non-GAAP guidance excludes share-based compensation and certain non-recurring items, a $0.24 per-share adjustment, of which $0.08 relates to cost of revenues and $0.16 to SG&A. Source

Balance sheet and working capital

  • Inventories and receivables grew: Inventories were $876.0 million, against $581.0 million at June 27, 2025 and $798.9 million at December 26, 2025. Trade receivables were $908.5 million against $758.9 million at June 27, 2025. Source
  • Payables and other payables rose: Trade payables were $859.0 million against $637.4 million at June 27, 2025, and other payables $152.9 million against $66.7 million. Source
  • Cash and short-term investments: Cash and cash equivalents were $356.6 million and short-term investments $588.7 million at March 27, 2026, against $306.4 million and $627.8 million at June 27, 2025. Source
  • Net PP&E increased on spending: Property, plant and equipment, net, was $525.0 million against $380.6 million at June 27, 2025. Fixed assets payable were $65.3 million. Source
  • Equity and total assets: Total shareholders’ equity was $2,304.7 million and total assets $3,509.0 million at March 27, 2026, against $1,981.8 million and $2,831.4 million at June 27, 2025. Source

Cash flow and capital spending

  • Free cash flow negative in quarter: Non-GAAP free cash flow was negative $10.8 million in the quarter, against $45.7 million a year earlier, and negative $5.3 million in the second quarter. Nine-month free cash flow was $41.1 million against $202.6 million. Source
  • Operating cash flow lower: Net cash from operating activities was $52.9 million in the quarter against $74.2 million, and $201.8 million for nine months against $273.3 million. Source
  • Capital spending increased sharply: Purchases of property, plant and equipment were $63.8 million in the quarter against $28.5 million, and $160.6 million for nine months against $70.7 million. Source

Share repurchases and share count

  • Buybacks small year to date: Nine-month repurchases of ordinary shares were $5.2 million against $103.5 million a year earlier. Withholding tax on net share settlement of RSUs was $24.4 million against $20.9 million. The release gives no buyback plan. Source
  • Diluted share count slightly higher: Third-quarter weighted diluted shares were 36.3 million against 36.2 million a year earlier. Shares outstanding were 35,829,221 at March 27, 2026. Source

Nine-month results year to date

  • Nine-month revenue higher: Nine-month revenue was $3,325.3 million, against $2,509.6 million. Cost of revenues rose to $2,926.8 million from $2,207.6 million. Source
  • Nine-month net income and EPS: Nine-month GAAP net income was $333.8 million against $245.3 million. GAAP diluted EPS was $9.22 against $6.75, and non-GAAP diluted EPS $9.99 against $7.52. Source
  • Nine-month non-GAAP gross margin lower: Nine-month non-GAAP gross margin was 12.2%, against 12.4% a year earlier. GAAP gross margin was 12.0% in both periods. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 May 2026

  • Datacom customer agreements expected: Management expects several new customer agreements, mainly in datacom, to add to growth in the fourth quarter and beyond. No timing or number is given. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release expected the drivers of second-quarter results to extend into the third quarter, as reflected in guidance. This release does not restate that expectation.

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.