Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) and the best and worst performers in the analog semiconductors industry.

Demand for analog chips is generally linked to the overall level of economic growth, as analog chips serve as the building blocks of most electronic goods and equipment. Unlike digital chip designers, analog chip makers tend to produce the majority of their own chips, as analog chip production does not require expensive leading edge nodes. Less dependent on major secular growth drivers, analog product cycles are much longer, often 5-7 years.

The 15 analog semiconductors stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 7,676% above.

Luckily, analog semiconductors stocks have performed well with share prices up 18% on average since the latest earnings results.

NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI)

Spun off from Dutch electronics giant Philips in 2006, NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI) is a designer and manufacturer of chips used in autos, industrial manufacturing, mobile devices, and communications infrastructure.

NXP Semiconductors reported revenues of $3.17 billion, down 2.4% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations, but overall, it was a mixed quarter for the company with revenue guidance for next quarter topping analysts’ expectations but EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

Unsurprisingly, the stock is down 14% since reporting and currently trades at $190.45.

Is now the time to buy NXP Semiconductors? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Best Q3: Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ: SWKS)

Result of a merger of Alpha Industries and the wireless communications division of Conexant, Skyworks Solutions (NASDAQ: SWKS) is a designer and manufacturer of chips used in smartphones, autos, and industrial applications to amplify, filter, and process wireless signals.

Skyworks Solutions reported revenues of $1.1 billion, up 7.3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 5.4%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and revenue guidance for next quarter exceeding analysts’ expectations.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 11.5% since reporting. It currently trades at $63.75.

Is now the time to buy Skyworks Solutions? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Weakest Q3: Universal Display (NASDAQ: OLED)

Serving major consumer electronics manufacturers, Universal Display (NASDAQ: OLED) is a provider of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies used in display and lighting applications.

Universal Display reported revenues of $139.6 million, down 13.6% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 15.9%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and adjusted operating income estimates.

Universal Display delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 13.9% since the results and currently trades at $116.72.

Read our full analysis of Universal Display’s results here.

Magnachip (NYSE: MX)

With its technology found in common consumer electronics such as TVs and smartphones, Magnachip Semiconductor (NYSE: MX) is a provider of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors.

Magnachip reported revenues of $45.95 million, down 17.1% year on year. This print met analysts’ expectations. Taking a step back, it was a slower quarter as it recorded revenue guidance for next quarter missing analysts’ expectations significantly and a miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

Magnachip had the slowest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is down 24% since reporting and currently trades at $2.37.

Read our full, actionable report on Magnachip here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Impinj (NASDAQ: PI)

Founded by Caltech professor Carver Mead and one of his students Chris Diorio, Impinj (NASDAQ: PI) is a maker of radio-frequency identification (RFID) hardware and software.

Impinj reported revenues of $96.06 million, flat year on year. This number beat analysts’ expectations by 3.6%. It was an exceptional quarter as it also recorded a significant improvement in its inventory levels and a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is down 31.5% since reporting and currently trades at $165.71.

Read our full, actionable report on Impinj here, it’s free for active Edge members.

Market Update

In response to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been gradually trending down from its post-pandemic peak, trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target. Despite higher borrowing costs, the economy has avoided flashing recessionary signals. This is the much-desired soft landing that many investors hoped for. The recent rate cuts (0.5% in September and 0.25% in November 2024) have bolstered the stock market, making 2024 a strong year for equities. Donald Trump’s presidential win in November sparked additional market gains, sending indices to record highs in the days following his victory. However, debates continue over possible tariffs and corporate tax adjustments, raising questions about economic stability in 2025.

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