Yazılar

AMD and Super Micro Shares Slide as AI Growth Expectations Dim After Data Center Results Miss

Shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O) and server maker Super Micro Computer (SMCI.O) fell sharply in early trading Wednesday after both companies reported weaker-than-expected results in their data center segments, casting doubt on their AI growth prospects and competitive standing. AMD shares dropped 5.1%, while Super Micro plummeted 18.2%, with the latter potentially losing over $6 billion in market value.

AMD’s data center revenue, driven by Instinct AI chips and server CPUs, grew 14% to $3.2 billion in Q2—slightly below analyst forecasts—and lagged far behind rival Nvidia’s 73% jump to $39.11 billion in the same segment. Jefferies analysts said the AI outlook failed to deliver the strong upside some investors anticipated. CEO Lisa Su cited U.S. export restrictions on AMD’s MI308 AI chips to China as a factor in year-over-year AI revenue declines, with no clear timeline for lifting those limits. HSBC noted that expectations for revenue recovery from lifting export restrictions appear muted.

The chip sector faces additional risks from impending U.S. tariffs on semiconductor imports and supply chain vulnerabilities tied to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which produces AMD’s advanced 3-nanometer wafers. Analyst Michael Ashley Schulman warned any slowdown at TSMC could disproportionately impact AMD.

Super Micro missed Q4 estimates amid intense competition from larger server makers Dell and HP, suffering from execution issues and Nvidia chip supply delays. Analyst Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson noted signs of market share loss. While over 70% of Super Micro’s Q4 revenue is linked to AI platforms, the company’s margins remain pressured by high AI server production costs and fierce rivalry. Bank of America analysts highlighted ongoing uncertainty over the gross margin impact this quarter.

Super Micro CEO Charles Liang expressed optimism about improved chip availability driving better growth going forward. Dell’s shares also declined 1.7% on the news.

AMD trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 32.39, compared to Super Micro’s 19.69.

Eni and Dubai’s Khazna Partner to Develop 500 MW Data Center Campus Near Milan

Italian energy company Eni and Dubai-based Khazna have signed a preliminary agreement to jointly build a 500-megawatt (MW) data center campus in northern Italy, near Milan. The project is part of a larger Italy-UAE collaboration aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure, with plans to install up to 1 gigawatt of IT capacity throughout Italy.

The campus will be powered by “blue power,” which means electricity generated from an Eni gas plant equipped with carbon capture technology to minimize CO2 emissions, according to Eni.

Investment in Italy’s data centers is expected to double to 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion) during 2025-2026, compared with the previous two years, as major technology companies ramp up their spending, researchers from Milan’s Polytechnic University estimated earlier this year.

Intel Weighs Sale of Networking and Edge Unit in Strategic Refocus Under New CEO

Intel is considering divesting its networking and edge computing division — previously known as NEX — as part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and refocus on its core strengths in PC and data center chips, according to sources familiar with internal discussions.

Under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, the tech giant is evaluating the relevance of its diverse business units to prioritize areas where it maintains market leadership. Tan emphasized at an event in Taipei that Intel commands 68% of the PC chip market and 55% of the data center chip market, and plans to “expand and build on” those domains.

Although no formal sale process has been launched yet, Intel has initiated early-stage discussions, spoken with third parties potentially interested in the NEX business, and interviewed investment banks to possibly advise on the transaction. However, no advisor has been officially retained, and options remain open.

Sources indicate that the networking and edge unit — which generated $5.8 billion in revenue in 2024 — is no longer seen as essential to Intel’s growth plans. The company now folds NEX’s financials into its broader PC and data center segments, eliminating separate reporting.

The telecom-focused segment within NEX is especially seen as misaligned with Intel’s new direction, and competitors like Broadcom dominate significant parts of the networking market, further reducing Intel’s strategic incentive to compete there.

While Intel has not committed to a full divestiture, it may explore partnerships, stake sales, or restructuring alternatives. The potential NEX sale follows other recent portfolio adjustments — notably, the $4.46 billion sale of a majority stake in its Altera unit to SilverLake in April. That move came after previously planned IPO ambitions for Altera under former CEO Pat Gelsinger.

Despite this refocusing, Intel continues to face pressure as it loses ground in the PC and data center markets, making Tan’s efforts a critical pivot point for the company’s future trajectory.