Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

Alpha and Omega Semiconductor ready to bounce, DOJ cloud lifts

 Alpha and Omega Semiconductor stock price

Power semiconductor developer Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: AOSL) makes computer chips that manage and control electrical power in numerous systems and devices. Regulating the flow of electrical current is often taken for granted, but it's a crucial role that requires power semiconductors to perform.

AOS's products help to improve energy efficiency, reduce the costs of electronic systems, and enhance the performance of electronics across a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, telecom, industrial, automotive, and renewable energy. The company competes with STMicroelectronics N.V. (NYSE: STM), Infineon Technologies AG (OTCMKTS: IFNNY) and Vishay Intertechnology Inc. (NYSE: VSH) in the computer and technology sector.

Common power semiconductors

Two of the most commonly used power semiconductors are MOSFETs and IGBTs. Metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect-transmitters (MOSFETs) regulate the flow of electrical current by varying the voltage that's applied to a transistor's gate terminal. MOSFETs are one of the most common power semiconductors used in memory chips, microprocessors, and analog circuits operating computers, cameras, and smartphones.

Insulated-gate-bipolar-transistors (IGBTs) are high-powered chips used to switch and amplify electrical signals. IGBTs are commonly used in inverters that convert DC power to AC, like solar inverters, battery backup systems, and electric vehicle (EV) motors. They are also used in power supplies found in TVs and computers, wind turbines, solar panels, industrial robots, and railway systems. Get AI-powered insights on MarketBeat.

Electronics inventory normalization

Inventory normalization is occurring throughout the consumer electronics, industrial, and automotive segments. Mobileye is experiencing inventory normalization as its manufacturing customers are working through their inventory of ADAS chips due to overstocking after the post-pandemic supply chain disruptions were met with demand shock as consumers pulled back on discretionary spending.

Recovery and inventory normalization

AOS reported its fiscal Q2 2024 EPS of 24 cents, beating consensus analyst expectations of 15 cents by 9 cents on Feb. 6, 2024. Revenues fell 12.4% YoY to $165.29 million versus analyst estimates of $165.29 million. Non-GAAP gross margin was 28%, down from 28.8% in the year-ago period. Non-GAAP operating income was $8.4 million, down from $11.2 million in the year-ago period. The company closed the quarter with $162.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.

In-line guidance

AOS issued in-line guidance for fiscal Q3 2024 with revenues expected between $140 million to $160 million versus $159.17 million consensus analyst estimates. Non-GAAP gross margins between 24% to 26%, taking into account lower factory utilization due to the Lunar New Year holiday in China.

Justice Department drops criminal investigation.

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) closed its criminal investigation into AOS’s compliance with export control regulations related to transactions with Huawei and its affiliates during the Chinese trade bans in 2019. The allegation focused on potential unauthorized sales of products to Huawei during the U.S. trade blacklist due to national security concerns in 2019. The DOJ closed its investigations without any charges. AOS will continue to work with the United States Department of Commerce (DOC) with the ongoing civil investigation. Check out the sector heatmap on MarketBeat.

Signs of a bottoming cycle

AOS CEO Stephen Chang commented that they are seeing recovery across desktop and notebook computers, smartphones and power tools. However, the recovery is partially offset by ongoing inventory correction in gaming and weak demand for solar and quick chargers.

Chang commented, “Beyond normal seasonality, promising signs suggest the cycle has bottomed. AOS's diverse product portfolio mitigates short-term unpredictability while preparing us to take advantage of a broader market resurgence in the second half of the 2024 calendar.”

Second quarter story

Chang concluded, “More specifically, we are seeing encouraging near-term strength in graphics cards, AI accelerators for data centers, smartphones from Chinese OEMs, and e-mobility. We are confident that our leading technology, extensive and diverse product range, and Tier 1 customer base strategically position AOS to navigate through the current cycle and thrive in the forthcoming one."

Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd. analyst ratings and price targets are at MarketBeat. Alpha and Omega’s peers and competitor stocks can be found with the MarketBeat stock screener.

Alpha and Omega Semiconductor stock chart

Daily descending triangle pattern  

The daily candlestick chart for AOSL illustrates a descending triangle pattern. The descending trendline is comprised of lower highs formed at $29.11 on January 24, 2024. The daily 200-period moving average (MA) attempted to hold support at $25.37 and even attempted a breakout, but shares gapped back down on its earnings release. Shares fell to a $21.37 swing low before snapping back into the triangle range. The daily relative strength index (RSI) coiled off the oversold 30-band. Pullback support levels are at $22.25, $21.02, $20.03 and $19.27.

Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.