What's Driving Semtech Corp's Surprising 25% Stock Rally?

Over the past quarter, Semtech Corp (SMTC, Financial) has experienced a remarkable surge in its stock price, with a 23.44% gain in the past week alone and a 25.47% increase over the past three months. Currently, the market capitalization of Semtech stands at $1.94 billion, with the stock trading at $30.17. This recent performance has caught the attention of investors, particularly as the company's GF Value is now at $38.07, suggesting that the stock is modestly undervalued. This is a significant shift from three months ago when the GF Value was at $69.45, indicating a possible value trap at that time.

Introduction to Semtech Corp

Semtech Corp, operating within the semiconductors industry, specializes in the design, development, manufacturing, and marketing of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors. These products are essential for the Internet of Things (IoT), with a significant portion of revenue generated from the Asia Pacific region. Semtech's business is divided into four segments: Signal Integrity, Advanced Protection and Sensing, IoT System, and IoT Connected Services, with the majority of revenue stemming from the Advanced Protection and Sensing Products segment.

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Assessing Semtech's Profitability

When it comes to profitability, Semtech Corp has a Profitability Rank of 7 out of 10, which is quite robust within its industry. However, the company's operating margin currently stands at -15.69%, which, while better than 19.63% of 983 companies in the same sector, indicates challenges in maintaining profitability. The ROE is at an alarming -290.04%, and the ROA is -51.51%, both metrics suggesting significant financial stress. The ROIC of -8.29% also reflects inefficiencies in generating cash flow relative to capital invested. Despite these figures, Semtech has managed to maintain profitability over 9 of the past 10 years, outperforming 71.4% of 916 companies in the industry.

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Growth Trajectory of Semtech

Semtech's Growth Rank is an impressive 9 out of 10, reflecting strong growth in revenue and profitability. The company has seen a 14.60% 3-year revenue growth rate per share, surpassing 65.81% of 898 companies in the sector. The 5-year revenue growth rate per share is also solid at 9.90%. Looking ahead, the estimated total revenue growth rate for the next 3 to 5 years is projected at 10.06%, and the EPS Growth Rate is expected to be an impressive 20.00%, both metrics indicating a positive outlook for the company's growth.

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Notable Shareholders in Semtech

Among the notable shareholders of Semtech, Steven Cohen (Trades, Portfolio) leads with 1,415,200 shares, representing a 2.2% stake in the company. Following him is Ken Fisher (Trades, Portfolio), holding 1,077,768 shares, which equates to a 1.68% share percentage. HOTCHKIS & WILEY also holds a significant position with 611,250 shares, accounting for 0.95% of the company's shares.

Competitive Landscape

In comparison to its competitors, Semtech holds its ground with a market cap of $1.94 billion. MaxLinear Inc (MXL, Financial) has a slightly lower market cap of $1.56 billion, while GCT Semiconductor Holding Inc (GCTS, Financial) is valued at $1.3 billion. SiTime Corp (SITM, Financial), on the other hand, has a higher market cap of $2.17 billion, indicating a competitive field within the semiconductors industry.

Conclusion: Investment Outlook for Semtech Corp

In summary, Semtech Corp's recent stock performance has been impressive, with significant gains over the past week and three months. The company's profitability, despite some concerning metrics, has been consistent over the years. Growth prospects appear strong, with robust revenue and EPS growth rates projected for the coming years. When compared to its competitors, Semtech maintains a competitive position in the market. The current valuation suggests that the stock is modestly undervalued, which, combined with the positive market trends, presents an intriguing investment opportunity for value investors.

This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.

Disclosures

I/We may personally own shares in some of the companies mentioned above. However, those positions are not material to either the company or to my/our portfolios.