Investing.com -- Infineon (OTC:IFNNY) Technologies (ETR:IFXGn) has reduced its sales forecast for the fiscal year 2025, pointing to expected weakness in the automotive sector as a primary driver of this outlook.
Analysts at Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) noted the company's updated guidance reflects a 2% anticipated decline in annual sales, a revision from previous market expectations of mid-single-digit growth.
Infineon’s gross margin is also projected to soften, estimated at around 40%, down from 42.6% in FY24, with segment margins projected at mid-to-high teens, below the consensus of 42.8% and 20.5%, respectively.
The guidance update also shows that Infineon anticipates revenue of €3.2 billion for the December quarter, reflecting a 18.4% quarter-over-quarter drop, which analysts noted as below seasonal trends and market consensus of €3.76 billion.
Segment-specific projections include decreases in both the Automotive and Connected Secure Systems divisions, while the Power & Sensor Systems division is expected to experience a more moderate decline.
The Green Industrial Power division, however, is anticipated to see a more pronounced drop.
Morgan Stanley analysts interpret the guidance to suggest that Infineon expects a weaker close to calendar year 2024 in automotive, with some potential recovery in the sector anticipated for the second half of FY25.
Infineon’s latest forecast also includes an adjusted EBIT margin for the December quarter at approximately 15%, translating to an estimated adjusted EBIT of €480 million, roughly 33% below market expectations.
By the end of FY25, the company projects an adjusted EBIT of €2.56 billion, around 21% below current market estimates.
Investment levels have also been adjusted, with Infineon cutting projected FY25 capital expenditures to about €2.5 billion and estimating free cash flow of around €900 million.