Cohu Inc
F:CU3
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Cohu Inc
F:CU3
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Relx PLC
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Cohu Inc
Cohu makes equipment used to test and inspect semiconductor chips after they are made. Its tools help chip makers and outsourced test companies check whether chips work correctly, sort good parts from bad ones, and prepare devices for shipping. The company sells this equipment to semiconductor manufacturers and assembly-and-test service providers that need reliable factory tools for high-volume production. Cohu’s business is built around selling specialized hardware, software, and related service support for chip test and handling systems. Customers pay for the equipment upfront and often return for spare parts, upgrades, maintenance, and technical support over the life of the machines. That mix gives the company both one-time equipment sales and a recurring service stream tied to installed systems. What makes Cohu’s role distinctive is that it sits near the final step of chip production, where quality control is critical and mistakes are expensive. Its products are not consumer-facing chips themselves; they are the factory tools that help the semiconductor industry verify performance before devices leave the line. That gives Cohu a niche position in the chip supply chain, especially where precision testing and handling matter most.
Cohu makes equipment used to test and inspect semiconductor chips after they are made. Its tools help chip makers and outsourced test companies check whether chips work correctly, sort good parts from bad ones, and prepare devices for shipping. The company sells this equipment to semiconductor manufacturers and assembly-and-test service providers that need reliable factory tools for high-volume production.
Cohu’s business is built around selling specialized hardware, software, and related service support for chip test and handling systems. Customers pay for the equipment upfront and often return for spare parts, upgrades, maintenance, and technical support over the life of the machines. That mix gives the company both one-time equipment sales and a recurring service stream tied to installed systems.
What makes Cohu’s role distinctive is that it sits near the final step of chip production, where quality control is critical and mistakes are expensive. Its products are not consumer-facing chips themselves; they are the factory tools that help the semiconductor industry verify performance before devices leave the line. That gives Cohu a niche position in the chip supply chain, especially where precision testing and handling matter most.
Strong start: Cohu said Q1 revenue came in at $125.1 million, above the midpoint of guidance, while orders rose 57% year over year on improving semiconductor demand and stronger AI/HPC activity.
HPC upswing: Management raised full-year high-performance computing revenue outlook to about $80 million to $100 million, up from the prior range, driven mainly by Eclipse thermal handlers and Neon HBM inspection.
Backlog building: Cohu described a $750 million computing segment opportunity pipeline, with about $150 million to $200 million in qualification and another $450 million to $500 million in engagement, most of which is expected to convert later.
Margins and spend: Gross margin was 46.5% in Q1, but management expects mid-40% margins for the year as Eclipse production ramps and supply chain costs stay elevated; operating expenses will stay in the low $50 million range as R&D ramps.
2026 outlook raised: Full-year revenue growth guidance was increased to 20% to 25%, and Q2 revenue is expected at about $144 million, plus or minus $7 million.
Software traction: Software subscriptions are still small, but Cohu said they are growing quickly, with annual recurring revenue around $1.2 million and expected software revenue of close to $3 million this year.
