Super Micro Computer (SMCI) expects its quarterly revenue to hit $18.5 billion to $19.5 billion, about $4 billion above the midpoint of its previous guidance. This stronger outlook led to a surge of almost 16% in after-hours trading, with demand for AI data center infrastructure driving even more growth.
Beat measured in billions, not percentages
Super Micro Computer expects quarterly revenue to exceed its earlier forecast by a wide margin, with preliminary figures at approximately $4 billion above the midpoint of its guidance. Results cover the three months ending September 30, representing the first quarter of the company’s 2027 fiscal year.
Analysts had previously dropped predictions that had expected revenue figures of around $15 billion and Super Micro’s preliminary figures had come in well above these estimates.
Super Micro also added that the reason for the stronger revenue outlook is a rising demand for AI platforms, as the company is known for building servers and data systems with chips from suppliers such as Nvidia and AMD.
Super Micro also raised its gross margin forecast to 12.0% to 12.5%, compared with its previous guidance of 10.4% to 10.8%, Reuters reported. The company attributed the improvement to a more favorable customer and product mix.
Super Micro investigation casts a shadow
Super Micro’s upbeat forecast comes as the company continues to face scrutiny over allegations that its AI servers were illegally shipped to China. Earlier this month, a fixer involved in the case pleaded guilty to shipping the servers, while Taiwanese authorities raided a Super Micro office in June as part of a related investigation.
Super Micro has not been charged in the case. An independent investigation found no evidence that the company’s senior leadership knew about the alleged scheme in advance, Yahoo Finance reported.
The stronger outlook also offers some relief for investors after months of pressure on the stock. Shares rose 12% in after-hours trading, according to Investing.com, recovering some ground after the company warned in July that fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 revenue would likely come in near the lower end of its forecast.
Super Micro also disclosed a record order backlog of more than $60 billion. In June, the company announced plans to raise $7 billion to help finance $39 billion worth of AI server orders.
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