STMicroelectronics N.V. (STM Quick QuoteSTM - Free Report) emphasized accelerating AI datacenter demand, improving industrial orders and manufacturing restructuring as central drivers of its growth outlook during its third-quarter 2026 earnings call.

Management highlighted strong bookings, expanding customer engagements and improving profitability, while analysts focused on the sustainability of demand, capacity constraints and the timing of anticipated margin improvements.

STM Sees Stronger Demand and Expanding Backlog

President and CEO Jean-Marc Chery said demand strengthened during the quarter, with the overall book-to-bill ratio exceeding 2. The ratio surpassed 3 in industrial and communication equipment and computer peripherals.

Chery reported that backlog exceeded $20 billion, representing approximately five quarters of revenues at the fourth-quarter guidance midpoint. Distribution inventories remained below standard targets.

Revenues increased 17.9% year over year to $3.76 billion, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.71 billion.

Reported earnings of 37 cents per share missed the consensus estimate of 40 cents.

STMicroelectronics N.V. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

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STMicroelectronics Targets Accelerating AI Revenues

Chery projected approximately $1.3 billion in AI datacenter revenues for 2026, with ambitions to more than double that contribution in 2027.

During questioning from TD Cowen, Chery explained that approximately 85% of current datacenter revenues originate from the Microcontrollers, Digital ICs and RF Products Group.

Remi El-Ouazzane, president of that product group, expects datacenter microcontroller revenues to double in 2027. Silicon photonics should become a meaningful contributor, supported by capacity expansion exceeding fourfold year over year.

El-Ouazzane also expects BiCMOS design wins to deliver a more substantial revenue contribution beginning in 2028.

STM Outlines a Path Toward Higher Gross Margins

President and CFO Lorenzo Grandi reaffirmed the intermediate gross margin target of 44% to 46%, supported by manufacturing restructuring and improved product mix.

Grandi expects more than 400 basis points of structural margin improvement from transitioning production away from legacy facilities. Benefits should materialize toward late 2027 or early 2028, depending on factory closures and customer qualifications.

Responding to questions from TD Cowen and JPMorgan, Grandi clarified that the improvement depends on transferring production to larger, more automated wafer facilities.

He also identified rising input costs as a headwind, partially offset by manufacturing efficiencies and selective price increases.

STMicroelectronics Expects Industrial Growth to Continue

Chery highlighted industrial revenue growth of 40% year over year, driven by general-purpose microcontrollers, analog products and power conversion.

Automotive revenues increased 5%, supported by application-specific ICs, sensors and continued design-win activity.

During the Q&A, Chery expressed confidence in automotive growth during 2027, particularly in European electromobility and hybrid vehicles.

El-Ouazzane also highlighted expanding low Earth orbit satellite opportunities. He indicated that capacity availability, rather than customer demand, could constrain revenue growth.

STM Projects Further Revenue and Margin Expansion

Chery guided fourth-quarter revenues to approximately $4.15 billion, representing sequential growth of 10.5%, with gross margin expected near 39%.

Full-year revenues are projected at approximately $14.5 billion, up 22.8% year over year. Management expects full-year non-GAAP gross margin of 36.6%.

Grandi expects fourth-quarter non-GAAP operating expenses of approximately $1.035 billion. For 2027, he anticipates higher absolute expenses despite continued cost savings.

Management also expressed confidence in meeting first-quarter 2027 revenue consensus despite the shorter reporting calendar.

STMicroelectronics Maintains Focus on Execution

Management's commentary reflected confidence in sustained demand across AI infrastructure, industrial applications and satellite communications.

However, manufacturing transitions, input-cost inflation and capacity availability remain important operating considerations.

The company's priorities center on expanding strategic production capacity, completing factory restructuring and converting its growing backlog into revenues while improving profitability.

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