<div id="readability-page-1"><p>Vishay ((VSH)) has held its Q4 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.</p><h3>Claim 50% Off TipRanks Premium</h3><ul><li>Unlock  hedge fund-level data  and  powerful investing tools  for smarter, sharper decisions  </li><li> Stay ahead of the market with  the latest news and analysis  and maximize your portfolio's potential</li></ul> <p>Vishay Earnings Call Signals Constructive Demand Amid Margin and Cash-Flow Trade-Offs</p> <p>Vishay’s latest earnings call painted a largely constructive picture, with strengthening demand, solid order momentum, and tangible progress on its Vishay 3.0 transformation. Management highlighted double‑digit revenue growth, healthier working capital, and notable technology milestones, while also acknowledging near‑term pressures on margins from the Newport fab, higher materials costs, and elevated capital spending that will push free cash flow into negative territory in 2026. Overall, the tone balanced confidence in improving fundamentals with clear-eyed acknowledgment of the cost and execution risks inherent in the current investment cycle.</p> <h2>Quarterly Revenue Beat and Sequential Growth</h2> <p>Vishay delivered Q4 revenue of $801 million, modestly above the midpoint of its $790 million guidance and up about 1.3% sequentially, underscoring stabilizing top-line momentum. Year over year, revenue rose 12%, powered by an 11% increase in volume and a roughly 3% foreign-exchange tailwind. A slight 1% decline in average selling prices partially offset this growth, indicating that the company’s expansion is being driven primarily by units rather than pricing. The ability to slightly outperform guidance and grow both year over year and sequentially suggests that demand conditions are firming after prior softness in some end markets.</p> <h2>Strong Order Trends, Backlog and Book-to-Bill</h2> <p>The order environment strengthened materially, with bookings reaching a three‑year high across most product technologies and sales channels. Vishay’s consolidated book‑to‑bill ratio improved to 1.2 from roughly 1.15 in the prior quarter, signaling that orders continue to exceed shipments. Semiconductors led with a book‑to‑bill of 1.27, while passives posted a healthy 1.13. Backlog grew nearly 14% sequentially, reaching about $1.3 billion, equivalent to 4.9 months of backlog coverage. This robust order pipeline provides improved visibility into near‑term revenue and supports management’s expectation of continued sequential growth.</p> <h2>Broad-Based Demand and Regional Strength in Asia</h2> <p>Demand was broad-based across Vishay’s key end markets and channels, with automotive, industrial power, aerospace and defense, AI computing, and healthcare all contributing to growth. The company also saw strength across OEM, EMS, and distribution partners. Geographically, Asia was the standout, with revenue up 3.6% versus Q3, while the Americas and Europe were essentially flat due to typical year‑end seasonality and holiday-related slowdowns in billings and receipts. Within automotive, global revenue declined about 3.4% sequentially as pullbacks in the Americas and Europe more than offset strong seasonal growth in Asia, illustrating both the sector’s regional nuances and Vishay’s growing exposure to Asian auto content.</p> <h2>Improved Working Capital and Cash Generation</h2> <p>Vishay reported notable progress on working capital efficiency and cash generation, key metrics for investors tracking balance sheet health. The cash conversion cycle improved to 125 days from 130 days, driven in part by better receivables management: days sales outstanding fell to 48 from 53 days, aided by a securitization program. Inventory was reduced by $759 million and inventory days improved to 107, reflecting tighter operational discipline and better alignment with demand. Operating cash flow reached $149 million in Q4, including $62 million from securitization, while free cash flow came in at $55 million. These improvements provide some cushion as the company moves into a period of elevated capital investment.</p> <h2>Profitability Progress Year-over-Year</h2> <p>On profitability, Vishay showed year‑over‑year progress even as some margin headwinds persisted. Gross profit totaled $157 million, with gross margin at 19.6%, modestly above both the midpoint of guidance and Q3 levels. GAAP EPS turned positive at $0.01 in Q4, a marked improvement from the loss of $0.06 in Q3 and the $0.49 loss recorded for 2024. EBITDA reached $70 million, representing an 8.8% margin. While absolute margin levels remain below the company’s longer‑term aspirations, the return to positive earnings and incremental margin improvement indicate that operational execution is improving despite cost pressures.</p> <h2>Execution on Capacity and Product Investments</h2> <p>Vishay continued to push its capacity expansion agenda, a cornerstone of the Vishay 3.0 strategy. The company is investing heavily in its 12‑inch fab and ramping facilities in Taiwan and Turin to support long-term growth in power and automotive markets. Q4 capital expenditures were $95 million, with about $75 million directed toward capacity expansion. For the full year, CapEx totaled $273 million, coming in below prior guidance due to equipment delivery delays rather than strategic changes. These investments are intended to position Vishay for structurally higher demand and more advanced manufacturing capabilities, albeit at the cost of near‑term capital intensity.</p> <h2>Technology and Product Achievements</h2> <p>From a technology standpoint, Vishay emphasized meaningful progress in high‑value products that could drive future margin and revenue upside. The company introduced eight Gen2 1200V planar SiC MOSFETs and its first trench (Gen3) 1200V MOSFET aimed at industrial and automotive applications—key categories for electrification and power management. Additionally, Vishay released three reference designs, including two eFuses and an isolated current sensor, to accelerate customer adoption. Over 100 automotive part numbers were released for production, and more than 10,000 part numbers have now been qualified through a subcontractor initiative. These developments signal that Vishay is deepening its presence in higher‑performance, higher‑content areas of the market.</p> <h2>Newport Fab Drag on Margins</h2> <p>The Newport fab remains a meaningful, though improving, drag on margins. Management cited a company‑level gross margin headwind of about 130 basis points in Q4 tied to Newport, down from prior quarters. Within the MOSFET segment, the impact was roughly 600 basis points, improved from 720 basis points in Q3, showing steady progress as the facility ramps and efficiencies increase. For Q1, the Newport drag is expected to narrow further to roughly 50–75 basis points, with the facility targeted to become neutral, then accretive to gross profit thereafter. For investors, Newport’s transition is central to the margin recovery story in the semiconductor business.</p> <h2>Sequential Margin Pressure and Lower EBITDA Margin</h2> <p>Despite top-line strength, Vishay experienced some sequential pressure on profitability metrics. The EBITDA margin slipped to 8.8% in Q4 from 9.6% in Q3, and GAAP operating margin fell to 1.8% from 2.4%. Management attributed this to elevated metals and materials costs, which remain a stubborn headwind, as well as the ongoing cost burden of ramping new capacity. These pressures muted the benefit of higher revenue and underscore the challenge of expanding margins in a period of cost inflation and heavy investment.</p> <h2>Average Selling Price Declines</h2> <p>Average selling prices declined modestly, down about 1% year over year, even as volumes increased. Management noted that some contract-driven price declines are front‑loaded in Q1, indicating that pricing pressure will remain a factor in the near term. The company is pursuing targeted price increases to offset higher metals and input costs, but it still faces ongoing pressure from tariffs and other cost inputs. This dynamic puts a premium on mix improvements and cost control to support margins while maintaining competitive pricing.</p> <h2>Higher SG&amp;A and Near-Term Operating Expense Increase</h2> <p>Operating expenses moved higher, adding another layer of pressure on profitability. SG&amp;A rose to $142 million in Q4 from $135 million in Q3, driven by higher compensation, increased R&amp;D spending, legal expenses, and costs associated with the securitization program. Looking ahead, management expects SG&amp;A to rise further to about $153 million in Q1 and to remain at that level for each quarter of 2026. While some of this spending supports R&amp;D and strategic initiatives, the elevated SG&amp;A run-rate will weigh on operating margins until revenue grows sufficiently to absorb the higher cost base.</p> <h2>Capital Intensity and Negative Free Cash Flow Outlook for 2026</h2> <p>Vishay is entering a peak investment phase that will significantly increase capital intensity and temporarily push free cash flow into the red. The company expects 2026 CapEx of $400–$440 million, with more than half directed to the 12‑inch fab, much of it front‑loaded in the first half of the year. This compares with 2025 CapEx of $273 million, which came in below prior expectations due to equipment delays rather than lower ambition. Management anticipates negative free cash flow in 2026 as a result of this spending, and the company continues to use its revolving credit facility, with about $219 million outstanding and $254 million in remaining capacity. The strategy signals a deliberate trade‑off: accept near‑term cash and leverage pressure to build capacity for longer‑term growth and margin expansion.</p> <h2>Resistor Segment Softness</h2> <p>Not all product lines are moving in lockstep. The resistor segment was the only reporting segment to decline sequentially in Q4, reflecting ongoing delays in U.S. aerospace and defense spending. This pocket of softness contrasts with broader strength across other product areas. Management indicated that visibility in this segment remains somewhat constrained, and recovery will likely depend on timing and scale of government and defense program spend, making it a watch point for investors focused on Vishay’s passive component mix.</p> <h2>No Share Repurchases and Limited Near-Term Buybacks</h2> <p>Capital allocation remains conservative as Vishay prioritizes funding its aggressive investment program. The company did not repurchase any shares in Q4, despite a shareholder return framework that targets returning at least 70% of free cash flow over time. With free cash flow expected to turn negative in 2026 due to peak CapEx and the ongoing Newport investments, management signaled that share repurchases will be constrained in the near term. The dividend will be maintained, but buyback activity is likely to be modest until the investment cycle moderates and free cash flow recovers.</p> <h2>Seasonal and Regional Headwinds in the Americas and Europe</h2> <p>Seasonality and regional dynamics also shaped quarterly performance. Revenue in the Americas and Europe was essentially flat sequentially, as year‑end holidays reduced shipping days and slowed activity at receiving docks. The automotive segment in these regions was particularly affected, contributing to the 3.4% sequential decline in global automotive revenue. However, strong automotive seasonality in Asia partially offset these declines. These trends highlight the importance of geographic diversification and the growing role of Asia in balancing regional fluctuations in demand.</p> <h2>Guidance and Outlook: Growth Ahead, Cash Trade-Offs</h2> <p>Management guided Q1 revenue to a range of $800–$830 million, implying continued sequential growth and sustained demand across the company’s five key growth vectors: automotive electronic content, industrial power, healthcare, aerospace and defense, and AI computing. Gross margin is targeted at 19.9%, plus or minus 50 basis points, even after accounting for tariffs and higher input costs, with the Newport fab expected to impose only a 50–75 basis point drag before turning gross‑profit neutral by quarter end and accretive thereafter. Vishay forecast Q1 depreciation of about $55 million and expects full‑year 2026 depreciation of roughly $218 million, alongside a steady quarterly SG&amp;A run-rate of about $153 million and tax expense of $2–$4 million in Q1. CapEx for 2026 is projected at $400–$440 million, largely weighted to the first half and focused on the 12‑inch fab, driving an anticipated period of negative free cash flow. Management indicated it will continue to draw on U.S. revolver liquidity as needed while remaining committed to returning at least 70% of free cash flow to shareholders over time once the investment peak passes.</p> <p>In summary, Vishay’s earnings call showcased a company gaining demand traction and executing on its Vishay 3.0 strategy, even as it navigates the inherent challenges of a heavy investment cycle. Revenue, orders, and backlog are all moving in the right direction, supported by broad-based end‑market strength and significant technology and product advances. At the same time, margins are constrained by Newport ramp costs, input inflation, and higher SG&amp;A, and 2026 will be a year of negative free cash flow as CapEx peaks. For investors, the story hinges on whether Vishay can successfully convert today’s capacity and technology investments into higher-margin growth and stronger cash generation in the years following the 2026 spending peak.</p></div>

SOXX

FTXL

<p>Vishay's Q4 earnings call highlighted strong demand and revenue growth, with Q4 revenue at $801 million, up 12% year-over-year. The company reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2, indicating orders exceeded shipments, and backlog grew nearly 14% to $1.3 billion. Despite margin pressures and negative cash flow projections for 2026, Vishay improved working capital efficiency, with operating cash flow at $149 million. The company is investing in capacity expansion to support future growth, particularly in power and automotive markets, while achieving positive earnings with a GAAP EPS of $0.01.</p>

Vishay Earnings Call: Growth Momentum Amid Cash Squeeze