Strong AI server demand: Super Micro Computer (SMCI.US) quarterly revenue guidance far exceeds expectations, shares surge over 12% after hours

According to information from Zhihu Finance APP, artificial intelligence (AI) server manufacturer Super Micro Computer (SMCI.US) on Tuesday released preliminary quarterly results that significantly exceeded Wall Street expectations, highlighting that the wave of AI infrastructure investment continues to drive rapid growth in server demand. Boosted by this news, the company's share price surged by over 12% in after-hours US trading.

In its statement, Super Micro Computer said that revenue for the quarter ending September 30 is expected to range between $18.5 billion and $19.5 billion, which is notably higher than the analyst average estimate of $15 billion compiled by media. Calculated at the midpoint of the guidance range, $19.0 billion, projected revenue is about 26.7% above market expectations.

Meanwhile, the company anticipates gross margin for the quarter to be between 12% and 12.5%. Although Super Micro Computer has not yet released complete quarterly financial data, the preliminary revenue performance already reflects the robust demand in the AI server market.

As an important supplier in the AI server sector, Super Micro Computer benefits from the ongoing expansion of AI data center construction by global technology companies and the strong demand for high-performance computing equipment. The company's servers are widely equipped with NVIDIA (NVDA.US) chips, and NVIDIA GPUs have become the core hardware for training and running artificial intelligence models in the vast majority of current AI data centers. As large technology firms and cloud service providers ramp up investment in computing infrastructure, demand for Super Micro Computer’s related products continues to increase.

However, Super Micro Computer has recently drawn market attention due to a case involving alleged violations of US export control laws. It is noteworthy that Super Micro Computer itself has not been indicted in this case. Although this incident brings some uncertainty for the company, the latest preliminary results show that its core business remains strongly supported by growing demand for AI infrastructure.

In terms of stock price, Super Micro Computer closed Tuesday's regular New York trading session at $32.47 per share, and then rose more than 12% in after-hours trading. As of the close on Tuesday, the stock had gained approximately 11% so far this year.

Super Micro Computer stated that it will hold an earnings call on November 3 to further discuss operating results for the quarter ending September 30. The company did not specify why it chose to release preliminary results ahead of the previously scheduled earnings report date.