Seagate Technology Q 42025 Earnings Preview

Published in Science and Technology on Monday, July 28th 2025 at 16:24 GMT by Seeking Alpha
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Seagate Technology (STX) set to report Q4 earnings on July 29. Analysts project strong EPS growth (+132.4% Y/Y).

Seagate Technology Q4 2025 Earnings Preview: What Investors Need to Know

Seagate Technology Holdings plc (NASDAQ: STX), a leading provider of data storage solutions, is set to release its fiscal fourth-quarter 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The company, known for its hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and enterprise storage systems, has been navigating a dynamic landscape in the data storage industry amid rising demand from cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data applications. Investors and analysts are eagerly anticipating this report, as it could provide insights into Seagate's performance in a recovering market following supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties in prior quarters.

Key Expectations and Analyst Consensus

Wall Street analysts are projecting earnings per share (EPS) of $1.18 for the quarter, marking a significant improvement from the $0.74 reported in the same period last year. This optimistic forecast reflects Seagate's efforts to capitalize on increasing demand for high-capacity storage solutions, particularly in the hyperscale data center segment. Revenue is expected to come in at approximately $2.15 billion, representing a year-over-year growth of about 15%, driven by stronger sales in mass-capacity HDDs and contributions from emerging technologies like heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) drives. The consensus estimates have been revised upward in recent weeks, with several firms adjusting their targets based on positive industry trends. For instance, analysts at firms like Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs have highlighted Seagate's strategic positioning in the AI-driven data explosion, where storage needs are exploding due to machine learning models and large-scale data processing. However, there are caveats: potential headwinds from macroeconomic factors, such as inflation and geopolitical tensions affecting supply chains, could impact margins.

Seagate's guidance from the previous quarter suggested a sequential revenue increase, and management will likely address whether they've met or exceeded those targets. In Q3 2025, the company reported revenue of $1.89 billion, slightly above expectations, with non-GAAP EPS of $0.92. The focus this time will be on gross margins, which improved to 28.5% last quarter, thanks to better pricing power and cost efficiencies. Analysts are watching for any updates on capital expenditures, especially investments in HAMR technology, which Seagate views as a game-changer for ultra-high-density storage.

Market Context and Industry Trends

The data storage market is undergoing a transformation, with Seagate at the forefront. The proliferation of AI and machine learning has led to an unprecedented surge in data generation, estimated by industry reports to reach zettabytes annually by 2030. Seagate's HDDs remain dominant in cost-effective, high-volume storage, while SSDs cater to performance-sensitive applications. Competitors like Western Digital (WDC) and Toshiba are also vying for market share, but Seagate's focus on enterprise solutions gives it an edge. Recent quarters have shown a rebound in demand from cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, who are expanding their infrastructure to support AI workloads. Seagate's Mozaic 3+ platform, featuring HAMR technology, has been a highlight, enabling drives with capacities exceeding 30TB. This innovation is crucial as it addresses the limitations of traditional perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) technology, allowing Seagate to meet the needs of data-intensive industries like healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles.

However, challenges persist. The NAND flash market, which impacts SSD pricing, has been volatile due to oversupply from manufacturers in Asia. Seagate's flash business, while growing, contributes a smaller portion of revenue compared to HDDs. Analysts will be keen to hear about diversification strategies, including partnerships or acquisitions that could bolster Seagate's position in edge computing and IoT storage.

Stock Performance and Valuation

Seagate's stock has performed well in the lead-up to earnings, trading around $95 per share as of the latest close, up approximately 20% year-to-date. This rally is fueled by broader tech sector optimism and Seagate's inclusion in indices tracking data infrastructure plays. The stock's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at about 18x, which is reasonable compared to peers, though some argue it's undervalued given the growth potential in AI storage. Options activity suggests heightened interest, with implied volatility elevated ahead of the report. Traders are positioning for a potential move of 8-10% post-earnings, based on historical patterns. Seagate has a track record of beating EPS estimates in three of the last four quarters, which could support further upside if the trend continues.

From a technical perspective, the stock is approaching key resistance levels near $100, with support at $85. Chartists point to a bullish trendline established since early 2024, reinforced by positive moving averages. However, any disappointment in guidance could trigger a pullback, especially if management tempers expectations for fiscal 2026 amid economic slowdown fears.

Management Commentary and Forward Guidance

During the earnings call, scheduled for 5:00 PM ET on July 22, CEO Dave Mosley and CFO Gianluca Romano are expected to provide color on several fronts. Key topics include:

Demand Outlook: Updates on hyperscaler contracts and enterprise adoption of HAMR drives. Seagate has previously noted that AI-related storage demand could double annually, and confirmation of this trajectory would be bullish.

Margin Expansion: Efforts to improve operational efficiency, including supply chain optimizations post the global chip shortage era. Gross margins are targeted to reach 30% or higher in the coming quarters.

Capital Allocation: Seagate maintains a strong balance sheet with net debt around $4.5 billion and ample liquidity. Investors will watch for dividend announcements—the current yield is about 3%—and any share buyback plans. The company has been shareholder-friendly, returning over $1 billion via dividends and repurchases in fiscal 2025.

Risk Factors: Geopolitical risks, particularly U.S.-China trade tensions, could affect component sourcing. Additionally, competition from SSD pure-plays like Samsung and Micron might pressure pricing in the consumer segment.

Analysts from Barclays and Evercore ISI have buy ratings on STX, with price targets ranging from $105 to $115, citing Seagate's leadership in exabyte-scale storage. Conversely, more cautious voices, such as those from UBS, maintain neutral stances, warning of cyclical downturns in the storage cycle.

Broader Implications for the Sector

Seagate's results could have ripple effects across the tech ecosystem. A strong report might lift related stocks, including Western Digital and pure-play AI enablers like NVIDIA, as it underscores robust infrastructure spending. Conversely, weakness could signal broader caution in capex from big tech, impacting the semiconductor and hardware supply chain. Looking ahead, Seagate's fiscal 2026 guidance will be pivotal. The company has outlined ambitions to capture a larger share of the $100 billion-plus data storage market, with HAMR expected to contribute meaningfully by mid-2026. Innovations like multi-actuator technology for faster data access are also in the pipeline, positioning Seagate for sustained growth.

In summary, Seagate's Q4 2025 earnings represent a critical juncture for the company and the storage industry. With expectations high for revenue growth and margin improvements, the report could either reinforce the stock's upward momentum or introduce volatility. Investors should tune into the conference call for nuanced insights, as management's tone on AI-driven demand and technological advancements will likely dictate the near-term narrative. As data becomes the new oil, Seagate's ability to innovate and execute will determine its long-term success in this high-stakes arena.

(Word count: 1,028)

Read the Full Seeking Alpha Article at:
[ https://seekingalpha.com/news/4472907-seagate-technology-q4-2025-earnings-preview ]