Q3 2025 Silicon Motion Technology Corp Earnings Call

Speaker #1: Good day and thank you for standing by . Welcome to the Silicon Motion Technology Corp third Quarter 2020 Earnings Conference Call . At this time , all participants are in a listen only mode .

Operator: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Silicon Motion Technology Corporation's Q3 2025 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. At which time, if you wish to ask a question, you will need to press STAR 11 on your telephone keypad. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. This conference call contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding trends in the operations, financial condition, and business prospects. Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources we believe to be reliable, you should not place undue reliance on them.

Speaker #1: After the speaker's presentation , there will be a question and answer session , at which time , if you wish to ask a question , you will need to press star one one on your telephone keypad .

Speaker #1: Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded . This conference call contains forward looking statements within the meaning of section 27 A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 , as amended .

Speaker #1: Such forward looking statements include , without limitation , statements regarding trends in the operations , financial condition and business prospects . Although such statements are based on our own information and information from other sources , we believe to be reliable .

Speaker #1: You should not place undue reliance on them . These statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual market trends , and our results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in this following statements .

Operator: The statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual market trends and our results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, continued competitive pressure in the semiconductor industry and the effect of such pressure on prices, unpredictable changes in technology and consumer demand for multimedia consumer electronics, the state of and any change in our relationship with our major customers, and changes in political, economic, legal, and social conditions in Taiwan. For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this conference call. With that, I now hand you over to Mr.

Speaker #1: For a variety of reasons . Potential risks and uncertainties include , but are not limited to continued competitive pressure in the semiconductor industry and the effect of such pressure on prices , unpredictable changes in technology and consumer demand for multimedia , consumer electronics .

Speaker #1: The state of , and any change in our relationship with a major customers and changes in political , economic , legal and social conditions in Taiwan .

Speaker #1: For additional discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors, please see the documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Speaker #1: We assume no obligation to update any forward looking statements , which apply only as of the date of this conference call . And with that , I'll now hand you over to Mr. Thomas Sepenzis , senior Director of IR and strategy .

Operator: Thomas Sepenzis, Senior Director of IR and Strategy. Please go ahead, sir.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead , sir .

Speaker #2: Thank you . Operator . Good morning , everyone , and welcome to Silicon Motion's third Quarter 2020 financial results conference call and webcast .

Thomas Sepenzis: Thank you, Operator. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Silicon Motion Technology Corporation's Q3 2025 financial results conference call and webcast. Joining me today is Wallace Kou, our President and CEO, and Jason Tsai, our CFO. Wallace will provide a review of our key business developments, and then Jason will discuss our Q3 results and outlook. Following our prepared remarks, we will conclude with a Q&A session. Before we begin, I would like to remind you of our Safe Harbor policy, which was read at the start of this call. For a comprehensive overview of the risks involved in investing in our securities, please refer to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. For more details on our financial results, please refer to our press release, which was filed on Form 6-K after the close of market yesterday.

Speaker #2: Joining me today is Wallace Coe , our president and CEO . And Jason Tsai . Our CFO Wallace will provide a review of our key business developments .

Speaker #2: And then Jason will discuss our third quarter results and outlook . Following our prepared remarks , we will conclude with a Q&A session .

Speaker #2: Before we begin, I would like to remind you of our safe harbor policy, which was read at the start of this call.

Speaker #2: For a comprehensive overview of the risks involved in investing in our securities . Please refer to our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission for more details on our financial results , please refer to our press release , which was filed on form 8-K .

Speaker #2: After the close of market yesterday . This webcast will be available for replay in the Investor Relations section of our website for a limited time .

Thomas Sepenzis: This webcast will be available for replay in the investor relations section of our website for a limited time. To enhance investors' understanding of our ongoing economic performance, we will discuss non-GAAP information during this call. We use non-GAAP financial measures internally to evaluate and manage our operations. We have therefore chosen to provide this information to enable you to perform comparisons of our operating results in a manner consistent with how we analyze our own operating results. The reconciliation of the GAAP to non-GAAP financial data can be found in our earnings release issued yesterday. We ask that you review it in conjunction with this call. With that, I will turn the call over to Wallace.

Speaker #2: To enhance investors understanding of our ongoing economic performance , we will discuss non-GAAP information during this call . We use non-GAAP financial measures internally to evaluate and manage our operations .

Speaker #2: We have therefore chosen to provide this information to enable you to perform comparisons of our operating results in a manner consistent with how we analyze our own operating results .

Speaker #2: The reconciliation of the GAAP to non-GAAP financial data can be found in our earnings release issued yesterday . We ask that you review it in conjunction with this call .

Speaker #2: With that , I will turn the call over to Wallace . Thank you . Tom .

Wallace Kou: Thank you, Tom. Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. I'm pleased to report that we delivered another strong performance this Q3, exceeding our revenue and operating margin guidance. We continue to benefit from the introduction of new controllers, existing in new markets and driving increased market share across our portfolio. We remain focused on delivering both top and bottom-line growth and improving profitability while investing heavily in the next-generation controllers, increasing our engineering resources to support new products and markets, and further positioning Silicon Motion Technology Corporation for long-term market share expansion. We expect strong revenue growth to continue as we introduce compelling new PCIe client SSD controllers, next-generation eMMC, and UFS controllers that drive higher share, benefit from strong growth in our automotive business, and as our MonTitan enterprise business begins to scale.

Speaker #3: Hello .

Speaker #2: .

Speaker #3: Everyone , and thank you for joining us today . I'm pleased to report that we delivered another strong performance in the third quarter , exceeding our revenue and operating margin guidance .

Speaker #3: We continue to benefit from the introduction of new controller , existing and new market and drive , increased market share across our portfolio .

Speaker #3: We remain focused on delivering both top and bottom line growth and improving profitability , while investing heavily in the next generation controllers , increasing our engineering resources to support new products and markets , and further positioning second motion for long term market share expansion .

Speaker #3: We expressed strong revenue growth to continue as we introduce compelling new PC clients . Controller , next generation eMMC , and UFS controller that drive higher share benefit from strong growth in our automotive business .

Speaker #3: And as our enterprise business began to scale , I'm excited about the foundation for growth that we are building across each of our major markets and believe we are well positioned to see sustained revenue and profitability growth in both the near and long term .

Wallace Kou: I'm excited about the foundation for growth that we are building across each of our major markets, and I believe we are well-positioned to see sustained revenue and profitability growth in both the near and long term. Let me start by discussing a broader market environment and then each of our major businesses in greater detail. AI remains a significant growth factor across memory and storage industries, driving strong demand for NAND and other technologies, including DRAM and HDD. The growing AI demand has, for the first time, created supply shortages in HDD, NAND, and DRAM, leading to price increases for the past three quarters, a trend we expect will continue at least through 2026. In the early stage of AI development, AI training drove strong demand for high-performance memory and storage using DRAM, HBM, and NAND for lower-capacity TLC-based compute SSDs.

Speaker #3: Let me start by discussing the broader market environment, and then each of our major businesses in greater detail. I remains a significant growth factor.

Speaker #3: Memory and storage industry driving strong demand for Nand and other technology , including Dram and the growing AI demand has for the first time , created supply shortages in HDD and and Dram , leading to price increases for the past three quarters .

Speaker #3: A trend we expect will continue at least through 2026 . In the early stage of AI development , AI training drove strong demand for high performance memory and storage using Dram , HBM , and then for lower capacity TLC based SD .

Speaker #3: As AI evolves . The focus in changing to inference , which relies more on high performance , high capacity storage rather than raw computing power .

Wallace Kou: As AI evolves, the focus is changing to inference, which relies more on high-performance, high-capacity storage rather than raw computing power. The increasing demand from inference is putting a large strain on the HDD supply chain that traditionally served this market, and this is expected to continue well into next year as HDD makers struggle to quickly meet growing demand. Inference is also increasing NAND demand for high-capacity, high-performance TLC-based SSDs, and creating a significant strain on the NAND market supply and availability. As AI is still in its infancy, we expect that these demand drivers will continue to impact supply availability across all memory technologies for quite some time as CapEx spend increases to catch up with market demand over the next few years.

Speaker #3: The increasing demand from inference is putting a large strain in HDD supply chain that traditionally served market , and this expected to continue well into next year .

Speaker #3: As HDD makers struggle to quickly meet the growing demand . Inference is also increasing . Nand demand for high capacity , high performance QLC based SSD and creating a significant trend for Nand market supply and availability .

Speaker #3: As AI is still in its infancy . We expect that these demand drivers will continue to impact supply availability across all memory technology for quite some time , as CapEx spend increases to catch up with market demand over the next few years , growing demand is also forcing a more disciplined CPUs spending approach .

Wallace Kou: Growing AI demand is also forcing a more disciplined CapEx spending approach and is driving difficult resource allocation decisions by the memory and storage makers to prioritize engineering resources across multiple technologies, products, and markets. Increasingly, we are seeing a greater willingness by the NAND flash makers to rely on Silicon Motion Technology Corporation to complete their product portfolio as they shift their internal resources to focus on DRAM, HBM, and future customized memory technologies for high-performance AI performance. We are in an active discussion with all NAND makers about expanding our partnership and taking on a broader range of projects long-term to offset growing internal resource shortages. Looking ahead, we see continued NAND flash price increases and shortages given the impact of AI on overall demand, which has been amplified by reduced new capacity investments by the flash makers over the past two years.

Speaker #3: And they're driving difficult resource allocation decisions by the memory and storage maker to prioritize engineering resources across multiple technologies , products and markets .

Speaker #3: Increasingly , we are seeing a greater willingness by the Nand flash makers to rely on silicon Machine to complete their product portfolio . As they shift their internal resources to focus on Dram , HBM , and future customized memory technology for high performance A.I.

Speaker #3: We are in active discussion with all about expanding our partnership and taking on a broader range of projects long-term to offset growing internal resource shortages.

Speaker #3: Looking ahead, we see continued NAND flash price increases and shortages, given the impact of AI on overall demand, which have been amplified by reduced new capacity investment from the flash makers over the past two years.

Speaker #3: Despite the challenges inherent with the name, price increases, we believe our business will remain robust. Our margin customers have been building NAND inventory ahead of anticipated price increases and are well positioned for the next year to meet the expected market demand.

Wallace Kou: Despite the challenges inherent with the NAND price increases, we believe our business will remain robust. Our module maker customers have been building NAND inventory ahead of anticipated price increases and are well-positioned for next year to meet expected market demand. Our direct business with NAND makers continues to be strong, accounting for more than 50% of our revenue, and we expect to gain significant share over the next few years. Additionally, more than 70% of our business with NAND flash maker and module maker customers goes directly to PCs, smartphones, servers, and other device OEMs that are not significantly impacted by high NAND markets. We have a robust design pipeline in eMMC, UFS, client SSD, and enterprise SSD controllers, and our ferrite embedded solutions product line will benefit from the increased NAND price trend.

Speaker #3: Our direct business with name maker continues to be strong, accounting for more than 50% of our revenue, and we expect to gain significant share over the next few years.

Speaker #3: Additionally , more than 70% of our business is Nand flash maker and maker customer goes directly to PC smartphones , servers and other device OEMs that are not significantly impacted by high end market .

Speaker #3: We are robust design pipeline in MC , UFS , finance and enterprise controller , and our product line to benefit from the increases in price trend .

Speaker #3: Additionally , given increased prices , we expect OEM to more rapidly adopt QLC technology where we have significant advantage over our competition and finally , we are starting to scale our new enterprise products , including Titan , which are less sensitive than the consumer market .

Wallace Kou: Additionally, given increased NAND prices, we expect OEMs to more rapidly adopt QLC technologies, where we have a significant advantage over our competition. Finally, we are starting to scale our new enterprise products, including MonTitan, which are less price-sensitive than the consumer market. We expect AI demand to continue to put a greater demand on inference than it has, a more large learning model reaching maturity, putting more focus on the high-performance, high-capacity storage capability that a QLC-based SSD is ideally suited to address. I will now discuss each of our business units in greater detail, starting with eMMC and UFS. We experienced another exceptional quarter of growth in our eMMC, UFS business, with strength across the board in smartphones, automotive, industrial, and IoT. eMMC and UFS revenue was up over 20% sequentially as we continue to increase our market share and capitalize on new product introductions.

Speaker #3: We expect AI demand to continue to put a greater demand on inference than it has a more large learning model , which maturity putting more focus on the high performance , high capacity storage capability that are ideally suited to address .

Speaker #3: I will now discuss each of our business units in greater detail , starting with EMC and UFS . We exchanged another exceptional quarter of growth in our EMC , US business with strength across the board .

Speaker #3: In smartphone , automotive , industrial and IoT . EMC and UFS revenue was up over 20% sequentially as we continue to increase our market share and capitalize on new product introduction , module makers are benefiting as Nand makers have walked away from EMC and Us2 due to lower ASP margin , which has helped module maker gain market share rapidly .

Wallace Kou: Module makers are benefiting as NAND makers have walked away from eMMC and UFS too due to lower SSD margins, which has helped module makers gain market share rapidly using our eMMC and UFS controllers. Overall, end-market demand in the Q3 was higher than expected and helped us deliver strong sequential growth with our NAND flash partners as well. Smartphone OEMs continued to shift to our new UFS controllers in mainstream and now value line devices, driving better ASP and margin for our business. Additionally, we continue to have success with our direct OEM engagement with QLC controllers. Our first customer is introducing a second smartphone with our chip in the current quarter. We plan to introduce an additional model next year.

Speaker #3: Using our EMC and UFS controllers, overall end market demand in the third quarter was higher than expected and helped us deliver strong sequential growth with our NAND flash partner as well.

Speaker #3: Smartphone OEMs continued to shift to our new USS controller in mainstream and now value line devices, driving better ASP and margin for our business.

Speaker #3: Additionally , we continue to have success with our direct OEM engagement with controller . Our first customer is introducing a second smartphone with our chip in the current quarter .

Speaker #3: We plan to introduce an additional model next year, given the current NAND environment. We expect that other smartphone manufacturers will increasingly look to QLC to deliver high-capacity storage and lower costs, which could lead to further customer engagement.

Wallace Kou: Given the current NAND environment, we expect that other smartphone manufacturers will increasingly look to QLC to deliver high-capacity storage at lower cost, which could lead to further customer engagement. UFS will continue to grow rapidly in the smartphone market as low-end smartphones continue migrating from eMMC to UFS to deliver better performance cost-effectively. While smartphones are rapidly shifting away from eMMC to UFS, eMMC remains an important revenue driver for Silicon Motion. As we mentioned, the market for eMMC extended well beyond mobile phones and accounts for more than 900 million units annually. The market for eMMC includes automotive, commercial, industrial, IoT, smart devices, set-top box, and streaming devices, robotics, and many more, including the rapidly growing market for smart glasses championed by Meta, Apple, Google, Amazon, Xiaomi, and others. These solutions will likely continue to use eMMC, providing a strong foundation for market growth for years to come.

Speaker #3: UFS will continue to grow rapidly in the smartphone market as low end smartphone continue migrating from EMC to USS to deliver better performance , cost effectiveness .

Speaker #3: For smartphones are rapidly shifting away from EMC to UFS . EMC remains an important revenue driver for silicon motion , as we mentioned , the market .

Speaker #3: EMC extended well beyond mobile phones and account for more than 900 million units annually . The market for EMC grew automotive , commercial , industrial , IoT , smart devices , sandbox and streaming devices , robotics and many more , including the rapidly growing market for smart glasses championed by Apple , Google , Amazon , Xiaomi and others .

Speaker #3: These solutions will likely continue to use EMC , providing a strong foundation for market growth for years to come . For the Nand flash maker , increasingly concentrate on the enterprise market , the opportunity for second motion EMC , USS continue to grow .

Wallace Kou: As the NAND flash makers increasingly concentrate on the enterprise market, the opportunity for Silicon Motion, eMMC, and UFS continues to grow. We expect to see further market share expansion as the flash makers outsource more and believe that our share gain in eMMC, UFS will remain a strong contributor for our future growth, leading to expanding market opportunity and end-market growth. I will now discuss our client SSD business. Our client SSD revenue was up more than 20% sequentially in the September quarter after slower stocks in the first half of the year. We are beginning to see greater PC demand driven by a sunsetting of Windows 10 this month and the adoption of AI at the edge in commercial and consumer PCs, which require higher-performance SSD solutions.

Speaker #3: We expect to see further market share expansion as flash maker . All more and believe that our share gain in EMC , UFS will remain strong .

Speaker #3: A strong contributor to our future growth leading to expanding market opportunity and end market growth . I will now discuss our clients business , our clients revenue was up more than 20% sequentially in the September quarter after a slower start in the first half of the year .

Speaker #3: We are beginning to see greater PC demand driven by a sunsetting of Windows 10 this month and the adoption of AI at the edge in commercial and consumer PCs, which require higher performance SSD solutions.

Speaker #3: We are also benefiting from the positive impact of our eight channel PCIe controller that launched at the end of last year , which , with revenue growing 45% sequentially in the third quarter and which is now represents more than 15% of our revenue , this new controller has significantly higher ASP than our PCIe four offering , and will help drive revenue growth as it scales as we have discussed , we have four of six Nand flash makers and nearly all the module makers using this performance leading controller for their high end offerings .

Wallace Kou: We are also benefiting from the positive impact of our eight-channel PCIe 5 client SSD controllers that launched at the end of last year, with revenue growing 45% sequentially in the third quarter and which now represents more than 15% of our client SSD revenue. This new controller has significantly higher ASP than our PCIe 4 offering and will help drive revenue growth as it scales. As we have discussed, we have four of six NAND flash makers and nearly all the module makers using this performance-leading controller for their high-end offerings. We expect to capture significant market share in the top tier for the PC market for the first time, which represents approximately 10% to 15% of the overall market. We have won with all the top PC OEMs in many of their upcoming high-end models that are expected to ship later this year and scale through next year.

Speaker #3: And we expect to capture significant market share in the top tier of the PC market for the first time , which represents approximately 10 to 15% of the overall market .

Speaker #3: We have wind with all the top positions in many of their upcoming high end models that are expected to ship later this year .

Speaker #3: And scale through next .

Speaker #4: Year .

Speaker #3: We are introducing our second six nanometer PCI controller during this four channel version . By targeting the mass PC market , and that we will begin initial shipments this quarter .

Wallace Kou: We are introducing our second six-nanometer PCIe 5 client SSD controller during the four-channel version that's targeting the mass PC market and that we will begin initial shipments this quarter. We have already secured design win with also four NAND flash makers and nearly all the module makers for this controller as well. This new controller targets the largest segment of PCs and retail SSD market, and we expect that it will help drive our client SSD market share from approximately 30% today to 40% over the next few years. We expect the PCIe 5 will become the dominant technology in consumer applications over the next few years, and we are in the best position to benefit given our strong customer partnership with both NAND flash makers and module makers. I will now provide an update of our automotive business.

Speaker #3: We have already secured design wins with a NAND flash maker and nearly all the module makers for this controller as well.

Speaker #3: This new controller targets the largest segment of the PC and retail SD market, and we expect that a well-executed drive will increase our clients' market share from approximately 30% today to 40% over the next few years.

Speaker #3: We expect PCIe 5 to become the dominant technology in consumer electronics over the next few years, and we are in the best position to benefit given our strong customer partnerships with both NAND flash makers and module makers.

Speaker #3: I will now provide an update of our our automotive business . We continue to experience significant design wins activity in our automotive segment across each of our product units , including EMC UDFs , PCIe , and our ferrite embedded solutions .

Wallace Kou: We continue to experience significant design win activity in our automotive segment across each of our product units, including eMMC, UFS, PCIe, and our ferrite embedded solutions. While the overall market has experienced challenges in 2025 given the broader geopolitical and tariff issues, we continue to grow our product portfolio and market share. We are also benefiting from the super trend of increased vehicle complexity, which is driving the need for additional high-speed, high-performance storage. We recently won significant design win with a tier one Japanese auto manufacturer in their global model that could contribute to the top line growth moving forward. As I mentioned during our last call, we also recently won with a large South Korea customer that has started to sample our eMMC controller-based solution to multiple automotive OEMs, which we expect to drive further growth in our automotive business in 2026 and beyond.

Speaker #3: While the overall market has experienced challenges in 2025 , given the broader geopolitical and tariff issues , we continue to grow our product portfolio and market share .

Speaker #3: We are also benefiting from the super trend of increased vehicle complexity , which is driving the need for additional high speed , high performance storage .

Speaker #3: We recently won significant design wins with a tier one Japanese auto manufacturer in the global model that could contribute to top line growth , moving forward .

Speaker #3: As I mentioned during our last call , we also recently won with a large South Korea customer that has started to sample our MC controller based solution to multiple automotive OEM , which we expect to drive further growth in our automotive business in 2026 .

Speaker #3: And beyond . We also , we are also on track to extend our lead in a five certification , which we achieve . This year with a level three certification for our controller .

Wallace Kou: We are also on track to extend our lead in ACE 5 certification, which we achieved this year with a level three certification for our PCIe 4 controller, with a plan to tape out our next generation automotive PCIe 5 controller next year. Increased demand for advanced storage solutions in automotive is being driven by AI, multiple screen integration, ADAS sensors, cameras, navigation, and other applications. We are shipping to many of the leading automotive manufacturers in the world, including Tesla, BYD, Xiaomi, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, and many others. Entering the second half of 2025, we experienced greater than expected demand from our partner in China as our strong design pipeline has led to market share gains with leading car makers like BYD and Geely. Chinese automotive brands are rapidly taking market share worldwide, given their leadership in electric low-cost vehicles.

Speaker #3: We plan to take out our next generation automotive PCI controller ,

Speaker #4: Next .

Speaker #3: , increased demand for advanced storage solutions in automotive is being driven by AI , multiple screen integration , Ada tensor cameras , navigation and other applications .

Speaker #3: We are shipping to many of the leading automotive manufacturers in the world , including Tesla . Did Xiaomi , Mercedes , Toyota , Honda , and many others entering the second half of 2025 ?

Speaker #3: We experienced greater-than-expected demand from our partners in China, as our strong design pipeline has led to market share gains with leading car makers like BYD and BD. Chinese automotive brands are rapidly taking market share worldwide.

Speaker #3: Given their leadership in electric , low cost vehicles . As we continue to introduce compelling new automotive controllers and as we expand our customer relationship , we remain confident that automotive will represent at least 10% of revenue by 2026 and .

Wallace Kou: As we continue to introduce compelling new automotive controllers and as we expand our customer relationship, we remain confident that automotive will represent at least 10% of our revenue by 2026-27. Finally, I will now provide an update to our enterprise business. The requirement of AI computation, training, and inference are rapidly evolving and driving new requirements on storage and memory solutions that deliver performance, capacity, power, and affordability. These growing opportunities are expanding their prospects. The prospect for Silicon Motion MonTitan family of enterprise-grade controllers, the need for increased speed and lower latency is driving greater adoption of SSD in the data centers. The industry is increasingly looking to adopt NAND solutions in WARM storage, compute storage, and eventually near compute storage as well.

Speaker #4: Seven .

Speaker #3: Finally , I will now provide an update to our enterprise .

Speaker #4: Business .

Speaker #3: The requirement for AI computation training and inference are rapidly evolving and driving new requirements around storage and memory solutions that deliver performance, capacity, power, and affordability.

Speaker #3: This growing opportunities are expanding the prospect , the prospect for silicon motion , Mount Titan family of enterprise grade controllers . The need for increased speed and lower latency is driving greater adoption of add in the data centers and industry is increasingly looking to adopt Nand solution in one storage .

Speaker #3: Storage and eventually near GPU storage as well . On on Titan solutions ideally suited to address the increasing requirements on AI workload for both compute using TLC , high capacity one storage SSD using QLC .

Wallace Kou: Our MonTitan solutions are ideally suited to address the increasing requirement of AI inference workloads for both compute SSD using TLC to high-capacity WARM storage SSD using QLC. The opportunity for compute SSD represents most of the enterprise SSD market today, while high-capacity SSDs are just beginning to ramp, but are expected to be a much larger market opportunity longer term. Interest in MonTitan for compute storage TLC SSD applications is increasing. This quarter, our customers are beginning qualifications with end-customer CSC, enterprise and data center with TLC-based high-performance compute SSD using our MonTitan controller, targeting the high-performance requirement of AI in the data center. We expect these qualifications to progress into the first half of next year and begin to ramp commercially in the second half of next year.

Speaker #3: The opportunity for composed by design , most of the enterprise market today , while high capacity SSD are just beginning to ramp . But are expected to be much larger market opportunity longer term interest in Manhattan for compute , storage , TLC application is increasing this quarter .

Speaker #3: Our customers are beginning qualification with end customer CSP enterprise and data centers to TLC based high performance UST using our multi-line controller , targeting the high performance requirements of AI in the data center .

Speaker #3: We expect this applications to progress into first half of next year and begin to ramp commercially in the second half of next year for high performance , high capacity QLC , SD are Titan based solution helped deliver significant advantage over HDD for the AI inference for CSP Hyperscaler and enterprise by elevating the speed and power bottleneck inherent in head technology .

Wallace Kou: For high-performance, high-capacity QLC SSD, our MonTitan-based solution helps deliver a significant advantage over HDD for the AI inference need for CSC, hyperscalers, and enterprise by elevating the speed and power bottleneck inherent in HDD technology for WARM storage. The shift to NAND technology for WARM storage is being accelerated by the current supply shortage in the major HDD manufacturers, making HDD more expensive and high-capacity QLC SSD a cost-effective, better performance option. Longer term, WARM storage requirements offer a much bigger market opportunity when compared to the opportunity for compute SSD, and we see increasing interest in our industry-leading MonTitan QLC solutions. We are on track to begin end-customer qualifications for QLC-based high-capacity SSDs late this year or early next year. We are increasingly confident in MonTitan as a significant new growth opportunity, given our successes and wins today in both the compute and high-capacity WARM storage market.

Speaker #3: For warm storage, the shift from S3 to nanotechnology for one storage is being accelerated by the current supply shortage of major HDDs. Manufacturers are making HDDs more expensive and of higher capacity.

Speaker #3: Curiosity is cost effective , better performance options , longer term . One storage requirements offer a much bigger market opportunity when compared to the opportunity for compute , and we see increasing interest in our industry leading Manhattan QLC solutions .

Speaker #3: We are on track to begin , and customer qualification for QLC based high capacity SD player this year or early next year . We are increasingly confident in Manhattan as significant new growth opportunity given our successes and win today in both the compute and high capacity storage market .

Speaker #3: We remain confident that Manhattan will deliver 5 to 10% of revenue by the late 20 , 26 or 27 timeframe . They are these new opportunity and customer scale in the near and mid-term and finally , we continue to collaborate with customers , deliver compelling enterprise , food , drive solution that can work across multiple platforms , engaging directly with the world leading AI , GPU makers as well as Hyperscaler and CSPs .

Wallace Kou: We remain confident that MonTitan will deliver 5% to 10% of our revenue by the late 2026 or 2027 timeframe as these new opportunities and customers scale in the near and the near term. Finally, we continue to. Collaborate with customers to deliver compelling enterprise SSD solutions that can work across multiple platforms, engaging directly with the world-leading AI GPU makers as well as hyperscalers and CSPs. We began volume shipments of SSD to the leading AI GPU makers this quarter for their current GPU products and starting qualifications of their next-generation GPU for follow-on products. Working on expanding our relationship with the customers, we are also in the qualification process of our SSD solution for a variety of storage products as well, including an NVLink-based design as well as Ethernet switch design, both of which are expected to ramp later next year.

Speaker #3: We began volume shipment of a bullseye to the leading AI GPU makers this quarter for their current GPU product , and starting qualification of their next generation GPU for following product .

Speaker #3: Working on expand our relationship with the customer , we are also in the qualification process of our drive solution for variety of switch products also , as well , including an envy envy line .

Speaker #3: Even link based design as well as Ethernet switch design , both of which are expected to ramp later next year . We expect the solution for add an additional long term sustainable growth driver for silicon motion .

Wallace Kou: We expect the SSD solution will add an additional long-term sustainable growth driver for Silicon Motion Technology Corporation as we expand our storage technology and business partnership with this leading GPU/CPU maker. In conclusion, the third quarter of 2025 delivers significant growth of our business as we execute on our diversification strategy with new products and into new markets. We continue to see the reward of investment that have been made over the past few years. These investments include our market-leading six-nanometer products, our new UFS and PCIe 5 controllers, our new MonTitan and enterprise storage enterprise-class solutions, our growing automotive portfolio, and our new micro SSD product for multiple occasions, including Nintendo Switch 2. We have never been in a better position to expand our market share given our leading product portfolio and the growing need for flash makers to shift their focus from consumer to enterprise applications.

Speaker #3: As we expand our storage technology and business partnerships with this leading GPU and TPU maker, I would like to conclude that the third quarter of 2025 delivers significant growth for our business.

Speaker #3: We execute on our diversification strategy with new products into new markets. We continue to see the reward of the investments that we have made over the past few years.

Speaker #3: These investments include our market leading six nanometer products , our new USS PCI controller , our new Titan and Boost Storage Enterprise cloud solution are growing automotive portfolio , and our new microSD product for multiple occasions , including the switch to .

Speaker #3: We have never been in a better position in our market share. Given our leading product portfolio and the growing need for fast makers to shift their focus from consumer to enterprise.

Speaker #3: Patient's . Given the growing demand in our legacy business and our new automotive and enterprise products , I'm increasingly confident that we will deliver a strong , sustainable , top and bottom line growth .

Wallace Kou: Given the growing demand in our legacy business and our new automotive and enterprise products, I'm increasingly confident that we will deliver strong, sustainable top and bottom line growth. Given our current backlog, I'm very confident in our ability to exceed our target annual revenue run rate of more than $1 billion this quarter. Now, let me turn the call to Jason to go over our financial performance outlook. Thank you, Wallace. Good morning to everyone joining us today. I will discuss additional details of our third quarter results and then provide our outlook. Please note that my comments today will focus primarily on our non-GAAP results unless otherwise specifically noted. The reconciliation of our GAAP to non-GAAP data is included in the earnings release issued today. In the September quarter, sales increased 22% to $242 million, coming in well above the high end of our guided range.

Speaker #3: And given our current backlog and very confident in our ability to exceed our target annual revenue run rate of more than $1 billion this quarter .

Speaker #3: Now , let me turn the call to Jason to go over our financial performance outlook .

Speaker #2: Thank you . Wallace .

Speaker #5: And good morning to everyone joining us today . I will discuss additional details of our third quarter results and then provide our outlook .

Speaker #5: Please note that my comments today will focus primarily on our non-GAAP results . Unless otherwise specifically noted . A reconciliation of our GAAP to non-GAAP data is included in the earnings release issued today .

Speaker #5: The September quarter sales increased 22% to $242 million, coming in well above the high end of our guidance range. We experienced a strong rebound in demand and strong growth in our PCIe 5 client.

Wallace Kou: Experienced a strong rebound in mobile demand and strong growth in our PCIe 5 client SSDs. Gross margins were at the higher end of our guidance range and increased again in the quarter to 48.7% as we continue to capitalize on new product productions, including makers. Operating expenses increased sequentially to $79.5 million as we continue to invest in new projects and expand our customer engagements to further grow and support our significant pipeline of new opportunities. Operating margins increased sequentially to 15.8%, well above our guided range, resulting from improved gross margins and higher-than-expected revenues during the quarter. Our earnings per ADS was $1.

Speaker #5: Gross margins was at the higher end of our guidance range and increased again in the quarter to 48.7% as we continue to capitalize on new product introductions made , operating expenses increased sequentially to 79.5 million .

Speaker #5: As we continue to invest in new projects and expand our customer engagements to further grow and support our significant pipeline of new opportunities, operating margin increased sequentially to 15.8%, well above our guided range. This improvement resulted from enhanced gross margins and higher-than-expected revenues during the quarter.

Speaker #5: Our earnings per Ads was $1 . Total stock compensation , which we exclude from non-GAAP results , was 5.5 million in the third quarter .

Wallace Kou: Total stock compensation, which we exclude from non-GAAP results, was $5.5 million in the third quarter, and we had $272.4 million cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the third quarter compared to $282.3 million at the end of the second quarter of 2025. Cash declined in the third quarter primarily from a combination of dividend payment of $16.7 million and an increase in inventory to support our expected strong business frame. Our team executed well, and our operational discipline delivered significant outperformance despite continuing investment in new advanced geometry products and our emerging MonTitan platform for the enterprise and AI markets. Now, we'll discuss our fourth quarter outlook. Revenue is expected to increase 5% to 10% to $254.266 million, above our initial target of $250 million we had set at the start of this year.

Speaker #5: And we had 272.4 million cash . Cash equivalents and restricted cash at the end of the third quarter , compared to 282.3 million at the end of the second quarter 2025 .

Speaker #5: Cash declined in the third quarter , primarily from a combination of dividend payment of 16.7 million and an increase in inventory . To support our expected strong business range , our team executed well and our operational discipline delivered significant outperformance .

Speaker #5: Despite continuing investment in new advanced geometry products and our emerging on Titan platform for the enterprise and AI markets . Now , I will discuss our fourth quarter outlook .

Speaker #5: Revenue is expected to increase 5% to 10%, reaching $254 million to $266 million, which is above our initial target of $250 million. We had said at the start of this year that we expect fourth quarter strength to be driven primarily by our client SSD controllers and SSD solutions.

Wallace Kou: We expect fourth quarter strength to be driven primarily from our client SSD controllers and SSD solutions. Gross margins are expected to be in the range of 48.5% to 49.5%, and operating margin is expected to be in the range of 19% to 20%. Approaching our historical operating profitability levels as we plan to benefit from higher revenue, higher gross margins, and lower operating expenses sequentially. Our effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 18%. Stock-based compensation and dispute-related expenses are expected to be in the range of $18.1 million to $19.1 million. Despite the uncertainty this year, given rapid geopolitical changes and tariff impacts, our team has remained focused on execution and building an incredibly strong pipeline for long-term growth.

Speaker #5: Gross margins are expected to be in the range of 48.5% to 49.5%, and operating margin is expected to be in the range of 15% to 20%.

Speaker #5: Approaching our historical operating profitability levels . As we plan to benefit from higher revenue , higher gross margins and lower operating expenses sequentially , our effective tax rate is expected to be approximately 18% .

Speaker #5: Stock based compensation and dispute related expenses is expected to be in the range of 18.1 to 19.1 million , despite the uncertainty this year , given rapid geopolitical changes and tariff impacts , our team has remained focused on execution and building an incredibly strong pipeline for long term growth .

Speaker #5: We have successfully scaled new products , engaged with new customers and expanded into new markets that will lead to higher market share in greenfield growth opportunities in enterprise storage .

Wallace Kou: We have successfully scaled new products, engaged with new customers, and expanded into new markets that will lead to higher market share and greenfield growth opportunities in enterprise storage, and we're just getting started. We expect to continue to invest to further expand our position as the leading merchant controller maker in the world for EMMC and UFS, client SSDs, automotive applications, high-performance, and high-capacity enterprise and data center storage. As we look ahead, our pipeline for growth in 2026 and beyond has never been stronger, and we look forward to discussing it in greater detail when we report again in three months. This concludes our prepared comments. I'd like to open up for questions now, Operator. Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. To ask a question, please press star 11 on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced.

Speaker #5: And we're just getting started . We expect to continue to invest to further expand our position as a leading merchant controller maker in the world for eMMC and UFS client SSDs , automotive applications , high performance and high capacity enterprise and data storage , data center storage .

Speaker #5: As we look ahead, our pipeline for growth in 2026 and beyond has never been stronger, and we look forward to discussing it in greater detail when we report again in three months.

Speaker #5: This concludes our prepared comments . I'd like to open up for questions now . Operator .

Speaker #1: Thank you . We will now begin the question and answer session . To ask a question , please press star one . One on your telephone keypad and wait for your name to be announced .

Speaker #1: To withdraw your question , please press star one . One again , a moment for our first question , we will now take our first question from the line of Neil Young from Needham and Company .

Wallace Kou: To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. A moment for our first question. We will now take our first question from the line of Neil Young from Needham & Company. Please ask your question, Neil. Hey, everybody. Thanks for letting me ask a question. Can you dive a little deeper into your comment in the press release about white-box AI server makers continuing to leverage mainstream hardware components? I believe your SSD controller sales are typically to PC/other consumer applications. Can you just give us a sense of how much of the SSD controller revenue in this quarter came from the white-box AI server makers you referenced, and where you expect that to trend going forward? I have a follow-up. Thanks.

Speaker #1: Please ask your question, Neil.

Speaker #6: Hey everybody . Thanks for letting me ask a question . Can you dive a little deeper in your comment in the press release about White AI server makers continuing to leverage mainstream hardware components ?

Speaker #6: I believe your SSD controllers sales are typically to PC slash other consumer applications . So can you just give us a sense of how much of the SSD controller revenue in this quarter came from the Whitebox AI server makers ?

Speaker #6: You referenced , and where you expect that to trend going forward ? And then I have a follow up . Thanks .

Speaker #3: Dimension with the Whitebox is an AI all in one server , and primarily they come from China and Taiwan . Some of the deep sea all in one server , five boxes and some in others bundled with others .

Wallace Kou: The mention with the white-box is the AI all-in-one server, and the primary comes from China and Taiwan, some in the DeepSeek all-in-one server white-box, and some in others bundled with other training models. I think the R2508 eight-channel PCIe 5 controller is well-positioned in the market. We cannot comment; we don't know exactly the volume, but it's a growing momentum for all the AI all-in-one servers. It's similar to like NVIDIA announced the MGX DGX GPU for this kind of a market. Okay. Thanks. Looking at the gross margin guide, midpoint coming in at 49%, I was wondering if you could maybe walk through the moving pieces of the gross margin in Q4. If possible, could you share sort of where you expect gross margin to trend next year? If not, at least what the main drivers of the gross margin improvement should be in 2026. Thanks. Yeah.

Speaker #3: Training model I think there are 2508 eight channel PCI controller is a well positioned in the market . We cannot comment . We don't know exactly the volume , but it's a growing momentum for all the AI in one server .

Speaker #3: It's similar like a media announced that Mg.kg GPU for this kind of a market .

Speaker #6: Okay , thanks . And then looking at the gross margin guide midpoint coming in at 49% , I was wondering if you could maybe walk through the moving pieces of the gross margin in for Q and then , you know , if possible , could you share sort of where you expect gross margin to trend next year ?

Speaker #6: If not , at least what the main drivers of gross margin improvement should be in 2026 ? Thanks .

Speaker #5: Yeah . So , you know , certainly as we continue into the fourth quarter , scaling new products like PCI five , new generation products tend to have better gross margins .

Wallace Kou: Certainly as we continue into the fourth quarter, scaling new products like PCIe 5, new generation products tend to have better gross margins that offset the declining gross margins of older products. We do expect to see, as MonTitan continues to scale, to have some incremental benefits, but certainly that remains a relatively small portion of our business today. We're not guiding for 2026 at this point. We'll talk more about that in three months' time. Stay tuned for that. Certainly, we are excited that we're back to kind of the normalized range that we historically have been. Historical range has been 48% to 50%, and we're guiding smack in the middle of that. We're pretty happy that we've been able to recover off of, obviously, some tough times a couple of years ago, but we're back to where we historically have been. Do you have any follow-up questions, Neil?

Speaker #5: That offsets the declining gross margins of older products . We do expect to see , you know , as on Titan , continues to scale , to have some incremental benefits , but certainly that remains a relatively small portion of our business today .

Speaker #5: We're not guiding for 2026 at this point . We'll talk more about that in three months time . So stay tuned for that .

Speaker #5: But certainly , you know , we are excited that we're back to kind of the normalized range that we historically have been . You know , historical range has been 48 to 50% .

Speaker #5: And we're guiding smack in the middle of that . So we're we're pretty happy that we've been able to recover off of obviously some tough times .

Speaker #5: A couple of years ago, but we're back to where we historically have been.

Speaker #1: Do you have any follow up questions ? Neil ?

Speaker #6: That's all for me . Thank you .

Wallace Kou: That's all for me. Thank you. Thank you. We will now take our next question from the line of Craig Ellis from B. Riley Securities. Please go ahead, Craig. Yeah. Thanks for taking the question. Team, congratulations on real good execution. I wanted to start with a question that takes off from Jason's comments that the company's just getting started in enterprise storage and ask a question that's fairly broad and has a couple of parts to it. If we look at what our ambition is over the next year plus with MonTitan and enterprise storage classically defined and think about what's going on currently with boot drive controllers and full solutions already starting to ship and picking up and maybe diversifying our customer base next year.

Speaker #1: Thank you . We will now take our next question from the line of Craig Ellis from B Riley Securities . Please go ahead .

Speaker #1: Craig .

Speaker #7: Yeah , thanks for taking the question . And team , congratulations on real good execution . I wanted to start with a question that takes off from Jason's comments that the company is just getting started .

Speaker #7: And an enterprise storage and ask a question that's fairly broad and has a couple of parts to it . So if we look at what our ambition is over the next year , plus with Titan and Enterprise storage classically defined and think about what's going on currently with boot drive controllers and and full solutions already starting to ship and and picking up and maybe diversifying our customer base next year .

Speaker #7: And then and this part would be for you , Wallace , as we think about some of the news that's coming out of Korea and other countries about the development of high bandwidth flash .

Wallace Kou: This part would be for you, Wallace, as we think about some of the news that's coming out of Korea and other countries about the development of high bandwidth flash. While some could be skeptical that that may just be like storage class memory, which went nowhere for 15 years, with some leading OEMs behind it, it very likely could. How do we think about the arc of those drivers as we go from 2025 to 2026 and 2027? What can enterprise broadly defined be for the company longer term? Thank you for your question. Please remain on the line. Your conference will resume shortly. Thank you. Presenters, you may continue your conference. Craig, you may want to repeat your question. Sorry, Craig. Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

Speaker #7: And while some could be skeptical that that may just be like storage class memory , which went nowhere for 15 years , but with some leading OEMs behind it , it very likely could .

Speaker #7: How do we think about the arc of those drivers as we go from 25 through 26 and 27 and and what can can enterprise broadly defined be for the company longer term ?

Speaker #1: Thank you for your question . Please remain on the line . Your conference will resume shortly . Thank you . Presenters . You may continue your conference .

Speaker #1: Craig, you may want to repeat your question.

Speaker #2: Sorry , Craig .

Speaker #7: Yeah , okay . Yeah . The question is this . If we look at enterprise storage broadly , including as traditional enterprise storage , but also include the boot drive business with one customer shipping now , but maybe diversifying and think longer term about what's possible from high bandwidth flash .

Wallace Kou: The question is this: if we look at enterprise storage broadly, including monetization as traditional enterprise storage, but also include the boot drive business with one customer shipping now, but maybe diversifying and think longer term about what's possible from high bandwidth flash if that were to be an opportunity, because certainly that's going to be QLC where you're particularly strong. Just a moment, sir. Can you talk about the— Just a moment, sir. The conference will resume shortly. Just a moment. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain on the line. Your conference will resume shortly. Please remain on the line. Your conference will resume shortly. Please remain on the line. Your conference will resume shortly. We have the speakers back. Hi there. Sorry about that. We're back. I think you're cutting through. Okay. Should I give the question a third shot? Okay. One more time, Craig. Sorry about that.

Speaker #7: If that were to be an opportunity . Because certainly that's going to be QLC where your particularly strong . just can you talk about the .

Speaker #1: Just a moment , sir . The conference will resume shortly . Just a moment . Ladies and gentlemen , please remain on the line .

Speaker #1: Your conference will resume shortly. Please remain on the line. Your conference will resume shortly. Please remain in your conference will resume shortly.

Speaker #1: We have the speakers back.

Speaker #5: Hi there . Sorry about that . We're back .

Speaker #1: I beg your pardon ?

Speaker #7: Okay . Should I give the question of third shot ? Okay . One more time . Sorry about that . All right . Yeah .

Wallace Kou: All right. Yeah. Thank you. Yeah. So, looking at enterprise storage broadly from monetization classic enterprise storage that's starting to ramp with qualifications and then shipments next year, but boot drive controllers and storage getting going now, and with the potential for high bandwidth flash to come in as a much-needed AI-based solution a few years down the road, how do we think about the longer-term market storage as we just get started with boot drives this year, pick up monetization, and then ramp those over the ensuing few years? And what could high bandwidth flash do for the business as a third driver longer term? Thank you. So first of all, I want to clarify. The 5% to 10% of our total revenue, 2026 to 2027, does not include our boot drive for the current, the DPU design and also for the additional switch boot drive solution.

Speaker #7: Thank you . Yeah . So , looking at enterprise storage broadly from Titan Classic enterprise storage , that's starting to ramp with qualifications and and then shipments next year .

Speaker #7: But but boot drive controllers and storage getting going now . And with the potential for high bandwidth flash to come in as a much needed AI based solution a few years down the road , how do we think about the longer term archive storage as we just get started with with boot drives this year , pickup mode , Titan , and then ramp those over the ensuing years and and what could high bandwidth flash do for the business as a third drive or longer term ?

Speaker #7: Thank you .

Speaker #3: So, first of all, I want to clarify that the 5 to 10% of total revenue, 26 to 27, does not include our boot drive for the current DPU design and also for the additional storage boot drive solution.

Speaker #3: But we do see moving to 2026 . The best and challenging year for storage industry . There's so many new opportunities coming now .

Wallace Kou: We do see moving to 2026 is a fast and challenging year for the storage industry. There are so many new opportunities coming, not as a conventional compute storage, but also WARM storage is the high-capacity QLC SSD. Moving forward, there will be near GPU storage. There are so many new opportunities for monetization controller to fit in. We're also preparing to work in a growing market. We just need to have more R&D resources to meet the demand. In parallel, I think this is a great opportunity. We see monetization go scale up. Our boot drive solution also goes scale, scale up quickly in 2026 and moving to some CSP design too. Wallace, what's your view on the potential for high bandwidth flash to be a third driver of enterprise broadly defined longer term? The high HPEF, I think this is a very interesting product.

Speaker #3: The conventional compute storage , but also warm storage , the high capacity QLC , d and then moving forward there will be new GPU storage .

Speaker #3: So there's so many new opportunities for Titan Controller to fit in . And we also preparing to growing market . We just need to more more R&D resources to meet the demand .

Speaker #3: And in parallel I think this is a great opportunity . We see Titan go up our boot drive solution also . To scale , scale up quickly in 2026 and moving to some CSP design to .

Speaker #7: And Wallace , what's your view on the potential for high bandwidth flash to be a third driver of enterprise , broadly defined , longer term .

Speaker #3: The high HPF , I think this is a very interesting product . And this is , as you know , there's all designed for AI inference near GPU .

Wallace Kou: This is, as you know, all designed for AI inference near GPU. We see there's an SLC 3D, 3D SLC technology moving to meet a certain near GPU leaders' requirement. HPEF is also very interesting in the packaging technology using the conventional standard 3D NAND. As this requires a new controller and our packaging technology, we will monitor it carefully because we believe initially this belongs to all the NAND makers' development. We are also invited to join the business. I think we are all of a resource. We want to monitor when the market becomes more mature, more stable, and we will participate. Thank you. The second question is a question regarding the comments from you and Jason around NAND sufficiency and the implications for shipments next year. You have an advantage. You're levered with all NAND suppliers.

Speaker #3: We see there's a SLC 3D , 3D , SLC technology moving to meet the certain near GPU leaders requirement . But Hbf also very interesting in the packaging technology is the conventional standard 3D , Nand .

Speaker #3: But this requires a new controller and packaging technology . We will monitor carefully because we believe initially this belong to all the Nand makers .

Speaker #3: Development , and we are also invited to join the business . But I think we are out of a resource . We want to monitor when the market becomes more mature , more stable , and we will participate .

Speaker #7: Thank you . And then the second question is , is a question regarding the comments from you and Jason around Nand sufficiency and and the implications for shipments next year .

Speaker #7: So you have an advantage . You're levered with all Nand suppliers . What message are they giving you with regard to how they're going to prioritize their output .

Wallace Kou: What messaging are they giving you with regard to how they're going to prioritize their output and capacity allocations across enterprise versus PC versus smartphone and then consumer applications? What does that mean for the various growth drivers of the business in 2026? Thank you. I think you asked a very good question. We're facing, it never happened before. The HDD, DRAM, HPEF, HBM, NAND, all in severe shortage in 2026. Most of our capacity are sold out. I did talk to many of the major makers, but I really cannot comment on what kind of allocation policy is going to do. However, the leading maker, they will keep a discipline, and they will consider balancing for the industry. They're not just favoring AI and the server or AI data center. They will consider a certain % for smartphone, a certain % for PC, and a certain % for automotive.

Speaker #7: And and capacity allocations across enterprise versus PC versus smartphone . And and then consumer applications . And what does that mean for the various growth drivers of the business in 2026 ?

Speaker #7: Thank you .

Speaker #3: I think you asked a very good question . We're facing a never happened before . The HDD . Iran , HP , HB , Nand , all in severe shortage in 2026 .

Speaker #3: Most of the capacity is sold out, and I think I did talk to many of the major makers, but I really cannot comment.

Speaker #3: What kind of allocation policy going to do . However , the leading maker , they will keep a discipline and they will consider balancing for the industry .

Speaker #3: They're not just just favorite AI and server AI data center . They will consider certain percent for smartphone , certain percentage for PC , and certain percent for automotive .

Speaker #3: Of course , majority will go to the AI and the AI server . So but balancing is very important . So we can keep the whole industry moving forward .

Wallace Kou: Of course, the majority will go to the AI and the AI server. Balancing is very important so we can keep the whole industry moving forward. Thank you, Wallace. Thank you. We will now take our next question from the line of Suji Desilva from Roth Capital. Please go ahead, Suji. Hi, Wallace. Hi, Jason. Congratulations on the progress here. For monetization, I know you guys talked about two lead customers initially, now more. I know one of them was an OEM who was, I think, in turn trying to themselves secure hyperscaler customers. Has that happened with that lead customer? If so, what's the start of ramp timing for that customer? I cannot comment on the ramping. I think they're very close to the, as you know, tier one customers, some were developed by the firmware themselves, some of the joint development with that together.

Speaker #7: Thank you . Wallace .

Speaker #1: Thank you. We will now take our next question from the line of Suji DeSilva from Roth Capital. Please go ahead, Suji.

Speaker #1: .

Speaker #8: Hi , Wallace . Hi , Jason . Congratulations on the progress here for Monty . You talk about two lead clusters and customers initially .

Speaker #8: Now more . I know one of them was an OEM who was , I think , in turn trying to themselves secure Hyperscaler customers .

Speaker #8: Has that happened with that lead customer? And if so, what's the start of ramp timing for that customer?

Speaker #3: I cannot comment the ramping . I think they're very close to the as you know , Q1 customers . Some was develop the firmware themselves , some of the joint development with us .

Speaker #3: Together, we cannot comment on ramping. But we are getting very close. However, due to tremendous demand from multiple customers in tier two, maintaining this pace is challenging.

Wallace Kou: We cannot comment on the ramping, getting very close. Because monetization is getting a tremendous demand from multiple customers, the tier two, we're busy to provide solutions for both TLC and QLC. Hopefully, we can start a small ramp in Q4, and then we'll see the more meaningful ramp in this, in 2026. Okay. Thanks, Wallace. Very helpful. My other question's on the arbitration. I'm wondering if there's any update there. Thanks. Yeah, thanks, Suji. The arbitration, you know, we had the, the arbitration had begun. The hearing was held, was scheduled earlier this month. The tribunal has scheduled oral closing arguments to be in March of 2026, and it's expected that a decision by the tribunal will be available sometime after that. Okay. Thanks, Jason. Thanks, everyone. Thank you. We will now take our next question from the line of Tiffany Yee from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead, Tiffany.

Speaker #3: So we're busy to provide solutions for both TLC and KLC . Hopefully we can start a small ramp in the Q4 and we see the more meaningful ramp in the in the 2026 .

Speaker #8: Okay . Thanks . Well , it's very helpful . And my other questions on the the arbitration , I'm wondering if there's any update there .

Speaker #8: Thanks .

Speaker #5: Yeah . Thanks . Yeah . The arbitration you know , we had the arbitration had begun . The hearing was held as scheduled earlier this month .

Speaker #5: The tribunal has scheduled oral closing arguments to be in March of 2026 and is expected that a decision by the tribunal will be available sometime after that .

Speaker #8: Okay . Thanks , Jason . Thanks , everyone .

Speaker #1: Thank you . We will now take our next question from the line of Tiffany Yeh from Morgan Stanley . Please go ahead . Tiffany .

Speaker #9: Yeah . Thank you . So good morning and good evening , gentlemen . Thanks a lot for taking my questions . And congrats on the great result and guidance .

Wallace Kou: Yeah. Thank you. Good morning, good evening, gentlemen. Thanks a lot for taking my questions and congrats on the great result and guidance. My first question is that it seems your inventory value rose around 62% in the third quarter. May we know the reason behind? Is it due to the inventory preparation for the BT substrate shortage? I have a follow-up. Thank you. Yeah. Inventory did come up. Inventory increases is to support the growing backlog and new business and orders that we have already received, and that's expected to ship over the next few quarters. The increase in inventory is across really all of our product categories, including some low-cost NAND that we had procured earlier, as well as, you know, controllers for SSDs, as well as EMMC and UFS. It's a pretty broad-based demand that we're seeing, and we're preparing ahead of that. Okay. Got it.

Speaker #9: So my first question is that it seems your inventory value rose around 62% in third quarter . May . We know the reason behind .

Speaker #9: Is it due to the inventory preparation for the substrate shortage? And I have a follow-up. Thank you.

Speaker #5: Yeah . So inventory did come up . Inventory increases is to support the growing backlog of new business and orders that we have already received .

Speaker #5: And that's expected to ship over the next few quarters . And the increase in inventory is across really all of our product categories , including some low cost Nand that we have procured earlier as well as controllers for SSDs , as well as MC and UFS .

Speaker #5: So it's a pretty broad based demand that we're seeing . And we're preparing ahead of that .

Speaker #9: Okay . Got it . So it seems that the BD software shortage has kept some of our fabulous peers upside in first half of next year .

Wallace Kou: It seems that the BT substrate shortage has kept some of our fabless peers upside in % next year. Do we see any impact from that, or, because as you just indicated, we're fully loaded now, so not worry about that impact? It seems the substrate and the PCB shortage, long lead time did not impact our business. We have prepared in advance, but we do need to prepare the production ramp for more controllers as well as a ferrite product line. That's why we increased our inventory right now. Got it. Got it. Can I have one more question? As we head into 2026, we see both our foundry partner and OSAT partners all initiating price hikes to reflect the elevated material costs. How shall we think about the impact to our profitability, and do you think we can further pass through all these elevated costs to our customers?

Speaker #9: So do we see any impact from that or because that's what you just indicated . We're fully loaded now . So not worry about that impact .

Speaker #3: I think the Subterrain PCB shortage long lead time did not impact our business . We have a we have prepared in advance , but we do need to prepare the production ramp for a more controller .

Speaker #3: And as well as a product line, that's why we are increasing our inventory right now.

Speaker #9: Got it , got it . Can I I have one more question . So as we head into 2026 , we see both our foundry partner and Osap partners all initiating price hikes to reflect the elevated material costs .

Speaker #9: So how should we think about the impact to our profitability ? And do you think we can further pass through all these elevated costs to our customers ?

Speaker #9: That's all. Thank you.

Wallace Kou: That's all. Thank you. I think what I can say is that TSMC will increase the wafer price from 5, 4, 3, 2 nanometers to start from 2025. Our PCIe Gen 6, the TSMC 4 nanometer, but it won't be production till late 2027 or 2028. There's no cost impact, foundry wafer impact for our cost in our controller in the next two to three years. And Tiffany, most of our products are on more trailing edge process geometry. So availability is, and pricing is certainly better at those trailing edges. The more advanced ones we have today are 6 nano, but a lot of our other products are 12 and 20 or even higher process geometries. Right. Maybe the impact from foundry is quite nearly limited in 2026, but how about OSATs? Thank you.

Speaker #3: I think what I can say to SMC will increase wafer price from 5432 nanometer start from 2025 . Our PCIe gene , six CMC for nanometer , but won't be production tier late 27 or 28 .

Speaker #3: So there's no cost impact . Foundry wafer impact for our cost in our controller in the next 2 to 3 years .

Speaker #5: Most of our products are on more trailing edge process geometries . Availability is and pricing is certainly better at those trailing edges . You know , the more advanced ones we have today are the six nano .

Speaker #5: But a lot of our other products are at 12 and 20 or even higher . Process geometries .

Speaker #9: So maybe the impact from foundry is quite nearly limited . In 26 . But how about all sets ? Thank you .

Wallace Kou: OSAT, I think because we have a preliminary agreement, so the OSAT cost impact will be very limited to us, almost irrelevant. Got it. Thank you. Thank you. Next question comes from Gokul Hariharan from JPMorgan. Please ask your question, Gokul. Yeah. Hi, Wallace and Jason. First question, given this very rapid increase in NAND flash pricing, and it seems like we're going to be in a reasonably short supply situation all through 2026. What are the business dynamics that you're seeing from your customers? Historically, Silicon Motion used to be a little bit more affected when NAND flash is very tight, given OEMs try to allocate to certain customers. At the same time, QLC NAND is clearly rising.

Speaker #3: I think because we have a preliminary agreement . So the offset cost impact will be very limited to us . Almost a irrelevant .

Speaker #9: Got it. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thank you . Our next question comes from Gokul Hariharan from J.P. Morgan . Please ask your question . Gokul .

Speaker #10: Yeah . Hi , Wallace . And Jason , my first question , given this very rapid increase in Nand flash pricing and it feels like we're going to be in a reasonably short supply situation all through 2026 .

Speaker #10: What are the business dynamics that you are seeing from your customers ? Historically ? Silicon motion used to be a little bit more affected when Nand flash is very tight .

Speaker #10: Given OEMs try to allocate to certain customers at the same time , QLC Nand is clearly rising . Could you talk a little bit about anything more that you see in terms of either engagement or any reason why you're not kind of getting more bullish about your 5 to 10% kind of enterprise SSD exposure , given a lot of the activities happening in QLC right now .

Wallace Kou: Could you talk a little bit about anything more that you see in terms of either engagement, any reason why you're not kind of getting more bullish about your 5% to 10% kind of enterprise SSD exposure, given a lot of the activities happening in QLC NAND right now? I think first of all, more than 50% of our business, we engage with the NAND OEM business. We are really well protected, in the NAND, NAND maker. Second is, most of our module maker, they have prepared the, potential, NAND price increase and shortage in advance. They all have at least 8 to 12 months inventory. I think they also, although they do have a certain contract with the, with the NAND supplier, definitely there will be some impact.

Speaker #3: I think, first of all, more than 50% of our business is engaged with the OEM business. So we are really well protected in the NAND market.

Speaker #3: Second is most of our module maker . They have a prepared the potential Nand price increase and shortage in advance . So they all have at least 8 to 12 months inventory .

Speaker #3: And I think they also , although they do have a certain contract with a with a supplier . But definitely it will be some impact .

Speaker #3: But I think that most of our customers when we discuss in the last couple of weeks , they all have confidence . They should walk through in the 2026 .

Wallace Kou: I think that most of our customers, when we discussed in the, in the last couple of weeks, they all have a confidence they should walk through in the 2026. We did not see an impact of our business. As a coming quarter or even the first half of 2026. We feel very strong for our, backlog, and, we, we see we will benefit from the, from the NAND supply shortage and become a stronger player in the industry. Understood. Any, any updates on the QLC NAND pipeline, design pipeline, and revenue pipeline? I was thinking maybe you would be sounding a little bit more bullish about, enterprise, SSD, given a lot of the activity on QLC NAND recently. That's exactly true. We are very excited about the high demand for QLC high capacity enterprise SSD, which just need to have a deliberate result.

Speaker #3: So we did not see the impact of our business as we move into the coming quarter or even the first half of 2026. We feel very strong about our backlog and believe we will benefit from the supply shortage and become a stronger player in the industry.

Speaker #10: Understood . Any any updates on the QLC ? Nand pipeline design , pipeline and revenue pipeline ? I was thinking maybe you would be sounding a little bit more bullish about enterprise SSD , given a lot of the activity on QLC , Nand recently .

Speaker #3: That's exactly true . We are pretty excited about the high demand for KLC high capacity enterprise CD . We just need to have deliver the result .

Speaker #3: I think the as you can see , even it's not just the AI inferences really high capacity enterprise D because HDD shortage also trigger higher demand for an urgent demand for the high capacity SSD .

Wallace Kou: I think they, as you can see, even it's not just the AI inference workloads, really require high capacity enterprise SSD because the HDD shortage also triggers higher demand for an urgent demand for the high capacity SSD. That's why we are very busy. I cannot comment about the potential, the outcome, but we have to deliver result ASAP. Gokul, we're not changing our, our expectations at this point yet, you know, in spite of the strong demand. We're still targeting 5% to 10% of our revenue in that 2026, 2027 timeframe. Okay. Are, are your existing customers because new designs will obviously take time to kind of cascade in, but are your existing customers upsizing meaningfully, compared to what they thought maybe six months back? For QLC NAND. I mean, I think across the board, we're certainly doing better, right?

Speaker #3: That's why we are very busy . I cannot comment about the potential the outcome , but we have to deliver results ASAP and .

Speaker #5: We're not changing our our expectations at this point . Yet , in spite of the strong demand , we're still targeting 5 to 10% of our revenue in that 2627 time frame .

Speaker #10: Okay, are you seeing existing customers? Because new designs will obviously take time to kind of cascade in. But are your existing customers upsizing meaningfully compared to what you thought maybe six months back?

Speaker #10: Okay .

Speaker #5: I mean .

Speaker #10: I think the across .

Speaker #5: The board , we're certainly doing better , right ? We're coming in ahead of where we were anticipating exiting the year at . So we're going to be above the billion dollar run rate .

Wallace Kou: We're coming in ahead of where we were anticipating exiting the year at, so we're going to be above the billion-dollar run rate. We are seeing strength in EMMC, UFS as we gain share there. We're seeing strength with our PCIe 5 as we gain share there. Across the board, we are, and so our business today is certainly stronger than what we had anticipated at the start of the year. Yeah, I think this is more to do with enterprise rather than, I mean, consumer is very clear, I think, but this is more to do with enterprise. I mean, look, our target still remains at 5 to 10% in 2026, 2027. Obviously, if we can do that faster, we certainly will, but we are resource constrained. We are working as fast as we can. Our products are beginning to sample with end customers.

Speaker #5: We are seeing strength in MC UDFs as we gain share there . We're seeing strength with our PCIe five as we gain share there .

Speaker #5: So across the board we are . And so our business today is certainly stronger than what we had anticipated at the start of the year .

Speaker #10: So yeah , I think this is more more to do with enterprise rather than consumer . Is very clear I think . But this is more to do with enterprise .

Speaker #5: Yeah . I mean , look , our target is still remains at 5 to 10% in 26 , 27 . Obviously if we can get do that faster , we certainly will .

Speaker #5: But we are resource constrained . We are working as fast as we can . Our products are beginning to sample with end customers .

Speaker #5: So as they get ready to ramp up , we're going to be ready to support them . So there are a number of processes in place that right now we're we're working through .

Wallace Kou: As they get ready to ramp up, we are going to be ready to support them. There are a number of processes in place that right now we are working through. Got it. Just back to client SSDs, how are you thinking about the next couple of quarters? I think we have probably seen a lot of the benefits of the Windows 10 sunsetting and demand pulling for PC as a result of that. As we kind of start to lap that in the next couple of quarters, how do you see this pan out? Do you see a little bit of moderation in growth there or the spec migration to PCIe 5 is good enough to kind of offset any of that volume growth tail off? I think you are correct. We benefit from PCIe 5 market share again.

Speaker #10: Got it . Just back to client assess these . How are you thinking about the next couple of quarters ? I think we are probably seen a lot of the benefits of the Windows 10 sunsetting .

Speaker #10: And demand pulling for PC. As a result of that, as we kind of start to lap that in the next couple of quarters, how do you see this pan out?

Speaker #10: Do you do you see a little bit of moderation in growth ? There or the tech migration to PCIe five is good enough to kind of offset any of that volume growth tail off .

Speaker #3: , as in , you are correct , we benefit from PCI five and market share gain . As we set our PCIe five eight channel , have a four nearly all the margin maker design win .

Wallace Kou: As we said, our PCIe 5, 8 channel have a 4 nanometer and nearly all the module maker design win. When PCIe start to ramp from late this quarter, I think we will benefit from revenue growth as well as the market share again. Our 4 channel mainstream dealer is PCIe 5, also is near production. I think we will start to see initial production by late this quarter and start ramping up by middle of next year through the another combination 4 nanometer as well as the module maker. When PCIe 5 becomes mainstream in the PC market, Silicon Motion will benefit from the market trend because we will move toward 40% of the global market share. I said in the comments that we do anticipate our SSD controller business to grow again sequentially in the fourth quarter. Okay. Just a clarification.

Speaker #3: So when Pcrm starts to ramp from latest quarter , I think we're benefit from revenue growth as well as the market share . Again , are for channel mainstream PCI five also is a near I think we'll start to see initial production by late this quarter and start ramping up by middle of next year through the another combination for Nand maker , as well as margin maker .

Speaker #3: So when PCI five becomes mainstream in the PC market , silicon motion will benefit from the market trend because we will move toward 40% global market share .

Speaker #5: And we and I said in the comments that we do anticipate our SSD controller business to grow again sequentially in the fourth quarter .

Speaker #10: Okay , so just just a clarification . So for PCI Gen five , let's say for next year . What percentage of the PC market do you expect it to be ?

Wallace Kou: For PCIe Gen 5, let's say for next year, what percentage of the PC OEM market do you expect it to be? Is it like 15%, 20% or once you have your 4 channel controller also ready, or is it even higher than that? We cannot comment for PC OEM whether plan to ramp. We just know when they ramp more model, we benefit from market share again. Got it. Thank you. Thank you. As a reminder, before we take our next question, if you wish to ask a question, please press star 11 on your telephone keypad now. Our next question comes from Matthew Bryson from Wedbush. Please ask your question, Matthew. Matthew, please unmute your line. Your line is open. All right. We are not getting a response from Matthew. I'm not showing any further questions, and I'll turn the conference back to Mr.

Speaker #10: Is it like 1,520% ? Or once you have your four channel controller also ready ? Or is it even higher than that ?

Speaker #3: We cannot comment for PCOS and what the a plan to ramp . We just know when they ramp more model . We benefit from market share gain .

Speaker #10: Got it . Thank you .

Speaker #1: Thank you . As a reminder , before we take our next question , if you wish to ask a question , please press star one one on your telephone keypad .

Speaker #1: Now , our next question comes from Matt Bryson from Wedbush . Please ask your question . Matt . Matt , please unmute your line .

Speaker #1: Your line is open. All right. We are not getting a response from Matt, so I'm not showing any further questions.

Speaker #1: I'll now turn the conference back to Mr. Wallace for closing comments.

Wallace Kou: Wallace Kou for closing comments. Thank you everyone for joining us today and for your continuing sharing Silicon Motion Technology Corporation. We will be attending several investor conferences over the next few months. The schedule of these events will be posted on the investor relations section of our corporate website, and we look forward to speaking with you at these events. Thank you everyone for joining us today. Thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect your lines.

Speaker #3: Thank you, everyone, for joining us today and for your continued interest in Silicon Motion. We will be attending several investor conferences over the next few months.

Speaker #3: The schedule of these events will be posted on the investor Relations section of our corporate website . And we look forward to speaking with you at these events .

Speaker #3: Thank you , everyone for joining us today .