Realtek Semiconductor Stock

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Realtek 2026 Second Quarter Earnings Call. This call is hosted by Realtek's spokesperson, Yee-Wei Huang; and Deputy Spokesperson, Ivy Chen. The presentation materials will be available on the company website before 6:00 p.m. today. At the beginning, our second quarter financial results will be reported by our Deputy spokesperson. This will be followed by management's remarks presented by our spokesperson. After the prepared remarks, we will proceed to the Q&A session. [Operator Instructions]

During the call, you can browse through the pages of the presentation materials at any time. Please note that portions of what are presented in this call contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Now I'll turn this call over to our Deputy Spokesperson, Ivy.

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen on the line. We are currently participating in the second quarter 2026 webcast earnings release hosted by Realtek Semiconductor Corporation. Now let's go through the second quarter 2026 financial results. Second quarter revenue reached TWD 37.6 billion, up a modest 3.1% quarter-over-quarter and a strong 17.7% year-over-year. Realtek's business momentum remained solid in the second quarter, supported by stable end market demand and supply chain-driven price increases, particularly in DRAM.

At the same time, certain supply remained tight amid exceptionally strong AI server demand. As a result, some customers maintained a solid order placement strategy reflecting concern over potential supply constraints and further ASP increases in the second half of the year. Q2 gross margin was 47.0% down 2.7 percentage points from the previous quarter and 3.2 percentage points year-over-year. The decline was mainly driven by higher ASP, reflecting OSAT capacity constraints from AI-related demand, higher DRAM memory prices as well as a higher mix of ICs with embedded memory.

Q2 operating expenses amounted to TWD 13.9 billion or 37.1% of revenue. This represents a 0.7 percentage point decline in OpEx ratio from the previous quarter. Maintaining disciplined control over the OpEx ratio remains an important priority for Realtek's management, alongside product innovation and operational efficiency improvements. Q2 operating profit was TWD 3.73 billion or 9.9% of revenue, representing a 2.0 percentage point decline in operating margin from the previous quarter, mainly reflecting lower gross margin.

Q2 nonoperating income was TWD 645 million, broadly in line with previous quarter, reflecting our continued disciplined approach to financial management. Q2 net profit was TWD 3.81 billion or 10.1% of revenue. Q2 EPS as a result was TWD 7.42 compared to TWD 8.44 in Q1 2026 and TWD 7.62 in Q2 2025.

Moving on to inventory. Q2 inventory turnover days were 107 days compared to 105 days in the first quarter. We continue to view inventory turnover days of around 100 days as normal and healthy under the current operating environment. That said, a meaningful portion of our inventory remain in work in process, mainly due to the constraint in available OSAT capacity, as industry-wide capacity continues to be prioritized for AI server demand. This concludes Realtek's second quarter '26 financial results.

Thank you, Ivy. Now our spokesperson, Yee-Wei, will give a management remarks.

Thank you. So as we look ahead to the third quarter, despite challenges such as certain supply-demand adjustments in the supply chain and rising component costs, Realtek remains a prudent yet stable outlook in its near-term operations and will continue to closely monitor external market developments and their potential impact. Now let's examine the key market segments Realtek serves. First, the PC market. According to IDC, the global PC market grew 3.1% year-over-year in the first quarter, followed by a 4.9% year-over-year decline in the second quarter.

As a result, global PC shipments for the first half of the year were down approximately 1% compared with the same period last year. As we previously discussed, the first quarter growth was partly driven by channel inventory build ahead of anticipated price increases in the second quarter of 2026, reflecting rapidly rising DRAM and NAND flash component costs. Windows 10 end of product migration also contributed to some replacement demand. However, the same increase in memory costs subsequently weighed on PC demand and contributed to the second quarter contraction.

Against this backdrop, our sales mix between PC and non-PC products was approximately 33% and 67%, respectively, in the second quarter compared with 36% and 64% in the fourth quarter. For the full year, the PC market is under price pressure and likely to decline in the second half compared to the first half. Nonetheless, Realtek has products that are in a good position to ride the wave of spec upgrade and/or to expand market share.

Realtek's actual PC-related sales, including those for audio codec, amplifier, Ethernet controller, camera controllers, USB controllers, et cetera, will depend on several factors, including IC OSAT capacity availability, supply conditions for key PC components such as CPUs and memories, and brand customers strategy regarding potential order pull-in to manage supply chain uncertainty.

Moving on to the consumer electronics market. Let's walk through the 3 consumer electronics segments where Realtek has the strongest exposure, TVs, home appliances and game consoles. Starting with TVs, demand picked up in the first quarter ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supported by some early customer orders amid rising memory cost prices. After the World Cup, global TV shipments began to soften and price increases in the second quarter added further pressure. Even so, Realtek SoC business grew above the corporate average in the first half, partly reflecting the higher memory costs, and we expect it to remain well positioned for the rest of the year.

For home appliances, including washers, air conditioners, refrigerators and many more, demand continued to grow steadily, led by strong air conditioner shipments and replacement demand from climate-driven heat waves and stricter energy efficient standards. Realtek's IoT solutions remain highly competitive in this segment, and our deeper integration of AI is helping us outperform market growth.

A July 2026 report by gamesindustry.biz estimates that the global game console shipments are expected to fall 19.5% this year. This decline attributable to higher console prices to address the ongoing RAM and storage crisis. While this may create some near-term softness, we are expected to outperform the market as we see more products adopted by key game consoles and their peripherals. The networking market experienced a memory cost wave in the second quarter and the first half of 2026. However, unlike the PC market, where much of the growth was driven by pre-price hike inventory build, networking demand remained fundamentally stable.

For broadband access, mainstream 10G PON or XGX-PON deployments have now stabilized as the baseline standard. While G1 Tier 1 operators have begun structural testing of higher-speed 25G PON architecture to build future-proof subscriber networks. In enterprise networking, campus and branch Ethernet switches continue to benefit from a broad hardware refresh cycle as organizations upgrade aging infrastructure to support newer Wi-Fi standards, AI-enabled applications and modern digital workloads.

In the consumer and SMB router markets, demand continued to shift away from entry-level products toward higher-value solutions, including mesh systems, tri-band configurations and Wi-Fi 7 upgrades. Overall, we believe the solid underlying demand for Realtek's networking solutions, especially as AI applications continue to expand across different end markets. We will continue business growth in the second half of 2026 and beyond.

Now on automotive, the global automotive market was mixed in the first half of 2026. Overall sales remained resilient, but traditional internal combustion engine vehicles continue to contract, weighing our performance in major legacy markets. At the same time, electric vehicles remain the key growth drivers globally despite slower momentum in markets such as China and the U.S. due to regulatory and policy changes.

Industry forecasts point to roughly 23 million EVs sold globally in 2026, representing about 27% to 28% of total vehicle sales, up from 25% in 2025, with Europe expected to be the main growth engine. The continued EV growth is supported by automotive Ethernet adoption, and we saw demand for Realtek automotive Ethernet solution in the first half, which we expect to continue into the second half. The main challenge remains on the supply side, given long qualification cycles required for new automotive suppliers.

Looking ahead at the second half of '26, we expect a seasonally strong second half with EV growth continue to improve in the selected market, particularly Europe. Realtek's automotive Ethernet solutions continue to maintain market leadership as evidenced by the introduction of our award-winning integrated Ethernet switch, the industry's first and only of its kind to achieve ASIL D functional safety. In addition, our automotive-grade Wi-Fi, audio codec and other products are making steady progress in entering the market.

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from Kevin Wang, Mizuho, regarding demand outlook.

What is demand outlook for third quarter 2026 by applications, including PC, networking, consumer and auto? Do you see demand risk for PC, networking and consumer in fourth quarter 2026, given demand pull in first half '26?

Okay. We'll have Ivy to help answer this one.

Sure. Let me briefly recap the key market segments Realtek serves. Overall, we expect third quarter demand to remain resilient, although visibility varies by segment, and we continue to manage shipments with discipline. In PC segment, demand is likely to remain under pressure as higher DRAM and NAND costs as well as high CPU supply weigh on end market demand, following early orders ahead of price increases. In the networking segment, the demand should remain fundamentally stable, supported by broadband upgrades, enterprise switches refresh cycles and the ongoing mix shift towards higher-value Wi-Fi 7 mesh and tri-band router solutions.

In consumer electronics, the outlook is mixed. TV demand is softened after 2026 FIFA World Cup. Home appliances continue to show steady growth, supported by AI and energy efficiency replacement demand, while game consoles may face near-term weakness due to the higher hardware price and memory cost pressures. In automotive, demand should remain steady to stronger in the second half, supported by continued EV growth, particularly in Europe and the ongoing adoption of automotive Ethernet, although supply side qualification cycles remain a constraint. At Realtek, nevertheless, we expect to see year-over-year growth this year in every segment we serve.

Thank you, Ivy. The next question is from Rick Hsu, Daiwa, regarding inventory across the value chain. What is the current channel inventory level? Could you also share your perspective on customers' inventory management?

Sure. I can still help on this one.

Okay. Realtek remains clear visibility to IC inventory levels at distributors and direct customers, typically module makers or system ODMs served by those distributors. Based on this understanding, Realtek's IC inventory remains healthy across the value chain.

The next question is from Nicholas Lai, Citi, on our strategy in response to supply constraint. What components are you seeing increasing shortage? And what is your inventory procurement strategy in view of the rising cost? Are you also seeing inventory write-off pressure? How should we quantify the impact?

Okay, sure. The semiconductor value chain is experiencing a major structural supply shift driven primarily by the AI data center boom. This has created critical shortages in advanced packaging, specialized materials and memory allocation. Realtek is addressing these shortages on 2 fronts. From a procurement perspective, we have qualified multiple vendors to diversify our supply base. From an engineering perspective, we are applying "design for availability principles" to reduce exposure to constrained materials wherever feasible.

As for inventory write-offs, we do not view them as a risk or source of pressure as long as we are confident that aged inventory is held by choice. Although it has aged and have been written off from the books, it can still be sold and converted into revenue over time. At Realtek, we are confident that the current supply-demand imbalance remains checked and manageable.

Next question is from [ Astoria, CLST ] on broader cost hike impact. Given the further cost increases from both mature node foundry wafers and memory prices in second half, can you pass through this cost by raising prices to customers? If so, which product lines are affected? And what is the rough magnitude of the increase?

Sure. Well, actually, as a matter of principle, Realtek emphasized that we do not simply shift or pass cost increases on to customers. We have started working closely and constructively with our customers in early June. New prices where applicable, are taking effect in the third quarter to manage broad and challenging cost environment plagued by rising memory prices, OSAT constraints and related cost increases, and the potential for further mature node foundry wafer price increase in the second half of this year.

Given the scale and the breadth of these pressures, very few, if any, products are likely to remain unaffected. As noted earlier, we cannot disclose the specific product lines affected or the magnitude of any potential price adjustments. Pricing and business terms with customers remain confidential. Our priority is to work cooperatively with customers to address these challenges while minimizing disruption to their business and ours.

The next question is from [ Haas Liu ], Bank of America, regarding memory price hike impact. Would you be able to quantify the impact to your revenue this year from the memory cost inflation? Any example you could provide for your PC peripheral networking and automotive business, the chipset pricing to reflect the memory cost hike?

The memory price increase, which began to accelerate in mid-2025 and became more pronounced in early 2026 had limited impact on Realtek's overall revenue. Throughout this period, Realtek worked to optimize its product cost structure and absorb part of the unexpected cost pressures. At this point, however, the memory price cut, together with OSAT supply constraints and related price increases has reached a level that Realtek can no longer fully absorb on its own.

We are working closely with customers on a case-by-case basis, taking into account product categories, supply conditions and long-term business relationship. Beyond this, we cannot provide further details as pricing and related business terms are confidential.

Thank you, Yee-Wei. Next question is from Bank of America, [ Haas ] about the gross margin outlook. With more pressure from your manufacturing and component supply chain on raising costs, would you be able to share your view on the margin profile into second half 2026? What is your countermeasure in the cost inflation environment? Could you also provide an update on your long-term structural margin profile expectations?

Yes, we'll have Ivy pick up this.

Sure. Regarding gross margin, our second quarter performance was lower, primarily due to the product mix and the rapid rise in memory prices, which creates pressure on our cost structure. Looking ahead to the second half and the foreseeable future, we are taking several steps to mitigate cost inflation, including optimizing our supply side arrangements, improving product design and cost structure and reflecting cost increases where appropriate.

We are certain these actions will support a gradual recovery in gross margin. Longer term, we continue to see room for further gross margin improvement, driven by ongoing product mix optimization, a higher contribution from value-added products and technology upgrades across our product portfolio.

Thank you, Ivy. Next question is from Sunny Lin, UBS, about OpEx trend. How would your OpEx and OpEx ratio trend in third quarter and 2026? Will OpEx amount remain elevated with more advanced node designs in 2026 and beyond?

Yes. Ivy, you can take this, too.

Yes. We appreciate your continued attention to Realtek's OpEx trend. Our OpEx ratio over the past 4 quarters were 39.1% in third quarter '25, 39.2% in fourth quarter '25, 37.8% in first quarter '26 and 37.1% in second quarter '26. These results reflect our disciplined control on operating expenses, while we continue to make strategic investments in product innovation, including the use of advanced process nodes to deliver higher performance with lower power consumption.

In the short term, we expect the OpEx ratio to remain stable at current levels. In the long term, we are committed to lowering the OpEx ratio through productivity enhancement. Advanced node designs generally require higher R&D investments, including spending on design tools, IPs, tape-outs and verification. As we continue developing more value-added solutions, absolute OpEx amount may therefore remain relatively elevated. That said, we will continue to manage expenses prudently and direct resource towards areas with clear long-term growth potential.

Thanks, Ivy. Next is a question from Sunny, UBS, related to product spec upgrade trend. For the broader product segment, what is the current spec upgrade traction that we can anticipate for AI PC, Wi-Fi 7, multi-gig Ethernet and so on?

AI PCs, Wi-Fi 7 and multi-gigabit Ethernet are all entering a rapid upgrade cycle, driven by stronger demand for high-performance local processing and ultrafast connectivity that can support Realtek's business growth. All AI PC requires not only higher performance local computing capability, but also better connectivity and richer peripheral functions. This includes higher speed wireless and wired connectivity solutions, better audio and webcams with embedded MPUs and more intelligent man machine interface features.

Wi-Fi 7 complements its shift by offering fiber-like wireless speeds and sub-1 millisecond latency. We expect its adoption to continue expanding across PC routers and broadband devices. To prevent bottlenecks, wired connectivity is also moving to multi-gigabit Ethernet with 2.5 gigabit Ethernet, 10 gigabit Ethernet ports quickly becoming standard on premium routers, motherboards, NAS, and workstation-related applications to support the growing data demand of AI-powered workloads. Taken together, these trends are favorable for Realtek because they increase the value and importance of connectivity IC across multiple product categories.

Thanks, Yee-Wei. The next question is from Nicholas Lai, Citi on Agentic AI demand impact on networking and PC. What is your view on networking and PC application outlook in view of the emerge of Agentic AI demand? Are you seeing accelerated deployment or shift toward higher specification to support AI-driven workloads?

Okay. Now Agentic AI is shifting the AI landscape from basic conversational chatbots to autonomous multistep workflows. These workflows may involve local inferencing, memory retrieval, tool execution, application interaction and cloud edge coordination. As a result, the system requirement for PCs and edge devices are gradually increasing. For PC applications, we believe generative AI will support continued shift toward higher specifications, including stronger local compute capability, large memory configuration, better power efficiency and richer AI-enabled peripherals such as camera, audio and connectivity.

From a networking perspective, Agentic workloads are fundamentally different from traditional generative AI. A single task can trigger a sequence of actions such as memory retrieval, database query and tool execution requiring networks to deliver sub-millisecond communication and consistent latency. We, therefore, expect noticeable upgrade for Realtek solutions.

That said, we would categorize the demand impact as steady upgrade cycle rather than a sudden step change across all end markets. Adoption will vary by application, customer and platform, but the long-term direction is clear. AI workloads are pushing devices and networks to a higher performance, faster connectivity and more edge capabilities.

The next question is from Daniel Yen, Morgan Stanley, related to Wi-Fi. Could you update us on Wi-Fi 7 adoption and the road map to Wi-Fi 8?

Sure. Wi-Fi 7 adoption is underway, but the pace varies by product segment and customer strategy. Notebook penetration is estimated to reach approximately 30% this year, while we are seeing mixed brand strategies, some vendors are moving aggressively toward Wi-Fi 7, while others are balancing the spec upgrade with cost considerations, inventory management and product positioning. On the broadband front, upgrades are facing constraints from higher DDR capacity requirements and rising system costs although Wi-Fi 7 was initially planned for FTTR deployment, rollout remain based on Wi-Fi 6. This suggests Wi-Fi 6 is unlikely to phase out quickly in the near term.

Overall, the medium- to long-term Wi-Fi 7 upgrade trend remains intact, but adoption is likely to progress gradually due to cost, inventory and brand execution strategy. Wi-Fi 8 is expected to become a key technology focus for next year, with plugfest for interoperability testing among vendors underway as we speak. Commercial adoption is likely to begin first in PCs and routers with the earliest TV models expected around first quarter '28. Tier 1 operations in Europe and North America are also expected to begin deploying Wi-Fi 8 routers in 2028, broadly aligned with the PC upgrade cycle.

At Realtek, Wi-Fi development remains on track. Based on our current progress, we believe our performance is competitive with that of other major industry players. Overall, we continue to support customers through the Wi-Fi 7 upgrade cycle while planning for future Wi-Fi 8 opportunities.

A question raised by Michelle Huang, Fubon on product development strategy. With the IC design trend shifting towards platformization to mitigate persistent wafer cost inflation, how aggressive is Realtek bundling networking, audio and camera chips into total solutions to defend market share against custom ASICs and low-cost peers?

Well, all Realtek products share a common purpose, connecting machines and connecting people with machines to must enable a connected AI world. Serving the common purpose. Realtek's silicon IPs across networking, audio and video are highly complementary, and we are increasingly integrating them into new products. By doing so, we can help customers reduce total system cost, lower design complexity, improve power efficiency and shorten development time. Case in point, the Realtek IoT Full-Color Low-Light Ultra-Power Multimodal AI SoC showcased at COMPUTEX Taipei 2026 combines networking, audio and camera ISP capability into a complete solution.

In this way, Realtek is becoming a platform-oriented turning individual technologies into a broader platform solution. Against custom ASIC peers, we believe our advantage is scalability and broader market coverage. Against low-cost competitors, our advantage is the combination of field-proven interoperability, performance, lower power and stability.

The next are 2 questions related to networking from Sunny, UBS. The first is on managed switches. What's the latest progress of your share gain in managed switches? What's the split between managed and unmanaged switches for your switch sales and shipments?

The Realtek Switch shipments remain weighted towards unmanaged products. However, its managed switch share gains are becoming more evident with shipment market share estimated to have increased by roughly 2 to 3 percentage points from the previous reporting period. Looking forward, Realtek has meaningful room for gain additional share from major competitors. We are pursuing project bid with leading managed switch customers, including opportunities in Layer 3 programs. Given the typical 10- to 12-month development cycle for managed switch hardware and software, new design wins are more likely to contribute meaningful volume revenue in 2027 and 2028.

Next question is on high-speed networking products. Could you give an update on the TAM of higher-speed networking products that you're working on, especially on the 100-gig Optical PHY. What's the potential sales contribution in 2027 to 2028?

Realtek showcased our 100-gig Optical PHY solution at COMPUTEX Taipei 2026, and the product is currently targeted to be ready for mass production as early as the first quarter of 2027. This is part of our broader high-speed networking road map. While in the initial stage, our focus will be on the 100-gig transceiver and active optical cable market. Based on our current assessment, the TAM for 100-gig pluggable transceivers and active optical cable is around several hundred million U.S. dollars per year.

We believe these markets provide Realtek with an attractive opportunity to expand our networking product portfolio into higher-speed optical connectivity. However, as we are still at the early stage of entering this market, we will proceed in a disciplined and gradual manner. At this point, we are not providing specific guidance on potential sales contribution. The actual ramp-up will be dependent on customer qualification and market adoption.

There are 2 questions related to automotive business. First, Daniel Yen from Morgan Stanley asks, could you provide an update on auto Ethernet adoption and the broader automotive business?

Sure. The global automotive Ethernet market has evolved from a luxury feature into a core vehicle architecture. Automakers are shifting from legacy domain-based designs to zonal architecture, where the need for high-speed, scalable and reliable in-vehicle networking continue to increase. ADAS remains the largest application requiring deterministic low latency, multi-gigabit performance to proceed -- to process real-time data from HD radar, LiDAR, camera systems.

Realtek Automotive Ethernet solutions continue to lead the market. Its industry first ASIL D automotive Ethernet switch supporting up to 10 gigabit per second link enable multiple AI SoCs to operate simultaneously with ultra-low latency. If one SoC fails, others can immediately take over, maintaining safe operation and preventing loss of control. This expands Ethernet into applications previously limited by functional safety concerns. This demonstrates our capability to provide highly reliable solutions for next-generation vehicles.

Smart cockpit is another fast-growing application, demanding natural, immersive human vehicle interaction and handling large asymmetric audio-video data flow. High-resolution cameras and sensors require a massive forward bandwidth for raw video transmission, while reverse traffic is limited to configuration and control signals. To address this, Realtek adopts standard service technology such as ASA, which complement and may eventually converge with automotive Ethernet.

In addition, our automotive-grade Wi-Fi, audio codec and other products are making steady progress in entering the market. While automotive design cycles are long and revenue ramps take time, we believe automotive remains an important growth opportunity for Realtek.

Next, Sunny from UBS would like to ask, what is Realtek's current market share for auto Ethernet globally and in China? Any new design-ins for the Tier 1 OEMs and are the updates from the Japanese auto OEMs?

Now consistent with corporate policy, we do not comment on product market share. That said, Realtek Ethernet continues to remain highly competitive globally against a small group of providers offering automotive Ethernet solutions, given the stringent requirement for automotive quality, reliability, security and safety. For new design wins, we see no shortage of opportunities with Tier 1 and OEM across different regional markets, including China and Japan.

The next question is from [ Haas ] Bank of America on server opportunities. Given your business highly exposed to networking, consumer and PC, what is your strategy to leverage your strong IP and technology portfolio for more business opportunity in servers? Who are you working with? And what is the current progress?

Now Realtek is committed to expanding into the server market as part of our vision to must enable a connected AI world. We see 2 key entry points. From a solution perspective, we are starting with areas where Realtek already has strong IPs and market experiences, including 10G Ethernet, I3C hubs, USB hubs, PON and Ethernet switch for server control plane. We plan to expand our server portfolio to include SmartNICs, optical PHY, high-speed data switches and more. Because server ecosystem prioritize maximum uptime and high data throughput, we are strengthening our server solution by adopting advanced process nodes and higher-grade quality standards.

From a customer and ecosystem perspective, we are leveraging our existing relationship and design-ins with major platform stakeholders including CPU, NPU and GPU solution providers as well as leading OEMs and ODMs with strong position in both enterprise server market and traditional PC notebook segments. In parallel, we're also approaching white label server-focused ODMs.

A question from Daniel, Morgan Stanley on SSD controller. Could you provide an update on your SSD controller business, particularly any exposure to AI server or NVIDIA-related platforms?

Sure. Indeed, Realtek SSD controllers have been adopted by a leading GPU AI platform through our SSD module maker customers. And by working closely with these customers, we have deepened our understanding of server requirements. Our SSD business is progressing on track, including opportunities related to server applications. Regarding specific platforms or customers, including NVIDIA-related platforms, we do not comment on individual customer programs.

More broadly, we continue to work with ecosystem partners and customers to explore server-related opportunities. At the same time, we will continue to pursue opportunity in our traditional SSD market and aim to grow this business steadily over time.

Next is a question from Aaron Jeng, Nomura. What could be next big growth driver for the company into the next 2 to 3 years?

Well, as the AI era accelerates, connectivity continues to advance through faster transmission speeds, higher data throughput, greater manageability and more natural human machine interfaces. Realtek is optimistic about growth over the next 2 to 3 years, supported by product solutions that align well with market trends and customers' needs. Growth is expected to come from both continued upgrade in existing business and expansion into new applications. Across PCs, consumer devices, networking and other applications, AI is driving demand for higher bandwidth, faster connectivity, better power efficiency and more advanced interface technologies.

At the same time, Realtek is making steady progress in automotive, humanoid robots and AI servers, though some of these emerging markets remain in the early stage. Nonetheless, all should provide incremental growth opportunities as revenue contribution become more visible over time.

The next question is from Daniel Yen, Morgan Stanley on robotics opportunities. How do you see the commercialization time line for the robotics-related opportunities highlighted at COMPUTEX?

Okay. The development time line for humanoid robots has accelerated, driven by advances in generative embodied AI, scaled hardware manufacturing and structural labor shortage. While the market remains in the validation phase and may not reach broad adoption until later in the decade, Realtek is already seeing early progress with customers using its existing products in current robotic applications and leading humanoid robot brands adopting Realtek solutions in reference design, including Ethernet switches, USB hub, Wi-Fi and other connectivity technologies.

Looking ahead, Realtek is leveraging its proven automotive experience and working with leading players to define backbone connectivity solutions for next-generation humanoid robots. Given their higher system complexity, humanoid robots could offer greater silicon content and addressable value per unit than automotive application. Though meaningful revenue contribution will depend on when customer become commercially viable and begin to ramp in volume.

The next question is related to PC and notebook demand and content value from Michelle Huang, Fubon. Given component inflation and shortage for memory and CPUs for PC and notebook customers, pushing up retail prices into second half 2026, how is traditional seasonal momentum tracking? Will the content value expansion per box fully offset the volume compression in entry-level PC and notebooks?

Okay. Seasonal momentum in PCs and notebooks remains supportive in the second half, including back-to-school and year-end sales demand, but it has weakened and become more distorted than the typical seasonal pattern. Some customers pull in orders and build inventory early in the first half. So Realtek's PC-related shipment are unlikely to grow sequentially in the second half. At the same time, memory and CPU inflation, together with component shortages are pushing system costs and retail prices higher, which could pressure end demand, especially in more price-sensitive entry-level PC and notebook segments.

That said, Realtek continues to see content value expansion opportunities as the market mix shifts towards higher spec products including commercial PCs, mid- to high-end notebooks and AI PCs. These platforms typically require higher speed connectivity, more advanced interfaces and upgraded audio and peripheral solutions, supporting higher content per box and ASP improvement. Overall, Realtek remains confident in growing its PC business through increasing content value while acknowledging potential volume compression from higher end market selling price.

The last question is also related to PC market from [ Haas ], Bank of America. Could you share your thoughts on the enterprise versus consumer and DIY market demand?

Okay. The PC market is becoming increasingly segmented with enterprise and commercial demand emerging as the most resilient growth driver. Corporate refresh cycles, Windows 11 migration, AI PC deployment, digital transformation and rising requirement for connectivity, security and productivity continue to support this segment. Enterprise buyers are also less price sensitive as they typically view PC as mission-critical tools operate under multiyear procurement plans and are more willing to absorb higher costs to avoid business disruptions.

By contrast, consumer demand remains more exposed to macro economy conditions and price increases, leading to longer replacement cycles and greater caution in entry-level PCs and notebooks. Memory and CPU inflation, together with higher retail prices could weigh on purchasing decision despite seasonal support for back-to-school and year-end sales. Mainstream users also tend to prioritize portability and rely on more cloud service for AI and other compute-intensive tasks, which may limit urgency for upgrades.

The DIY desktop market is also mixed with ultra-premium builders and gaming enthusiasts likely to remain more resilient, while mainstream upgraders may delay build as component prices rise, especially memory. Demand in this segment remains closely tied to major silicon release cycle from NVIDIA, AMD and Intel as new GPU and CPU platforms often trigger full system upgrades.

Overall, we remain more positive on commercial and AI PC segment where content value per box continues to rise while staying cautious on volume trend in entry-level consumer and mainstream DIY markets. Note that Realtek PC solutions are extensively used in all 3 segments: enterprise, consumer and DIY.

Thank you, Yee-Wei. Due to the time constraint, we will conclude the meeting now. Thanks for your participation today. Please feel free to contact our IR team if you have further questions after the meeting. The replay will be available on the IR page of the company website before 6:00 p.m. Thank you, and have a good afternoon.

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Realtek 2025 Fourth Quarter Earnings Call. This call is chaired by Realtek's spokesperson, Yee-Wei Huang. The presentation will be available on the company website before 6:00 p.m. today. At the beginning, our spokesperson will report our fourth quarter and 2025 full year financial results and give management's remarks. After that, we will have a Q&A session. You are welcome to type your questions in the box at the screen. We will answer the questions accordingly. During the call, you can rev through the pages of the presentation at any time.

Note that portions of what is presented in this call contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results forecasted or implied in such statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on such statements.

Now I'll pass this call to our spokesperson, Yee-Wei.

Yes. Thank you. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen on the line. You are currently participating in the fourth quarter 2025 webcast earnings release hosted by Realtek Semiconductor Corporation. Now let us go through the fourth quarter 2025 financial results. Q4 revenue was TWD 26.28 billion, representing a 10.9% decrease from the previous quarter and a 0.3% decline year-over-year. This result was in line with expectations as the market typically experiences a slowdown and customers adjusted their inventory level towards the end of the year. Q4 gross margin was 48.1%, marking a decrease of 1.6 percentage points from the previous quarter and 0.2 percentage points from the same quarter last year. This decline was mainly due to product mix as well as some write-offs associated with slow-moving inventory. So these write-offs were relatively minor and well controlled.

Q4 operating expenses totaled TWD 10.30 billion, accounting for 39.2% of revenue. This reflects a slight increase of 0.1 percentage points in the OpEx ratio, but a 10.7% decline in absolute OpEx dollars compared to the previous quarter. These quarter-over-quarter fluctuations in operating expenses are expected as we maintain disciplined expense control while ensuring we continue to invest across Realtek products and operations. Q4 profit was TWD 2.34 billion, which accounted for 8.9% of revenue. The operating margin shows a decline from the previous quarter's 10.6%, largely attributable to a reduced gross margin.

Q4 non-op income was TWD 651 million, a 30.1% drop from the prior quarter, primarily due to lower government subsidies and some foreign exchange losses. Q4 net profit was TWD 2.65 billion or 10.1% of revenue. Q4 EPS as a result was TWD 5.17 compared to TWD 6.69 in Q3 2025 and TWD 6.63 in Q4 2024.

Turning to inventory. Q4 inventory turnover days were 127 days, up from 105 days in the third quarter. This rise is mainly due to lower business volume in the fourth quarter. This also reflects our proactive steps to support customers who have indicated plans to substantially increase orders after the new year, both for restocking purposes and to address ongoing uncertainties in the supply chain. Overall, we are confident that inventory levels at both Realtek and across our distribution channels remain well managed. This concludes Realtek's fourth quarter 2025 financial results.

Next, we will briefly go through Realtek's 2025 full year operational results. 2025 net revenue reached TWD 122.71 billion, an 8.2% Y-o-Y growth setting another new record high for the company. 2025 gross margin was 50% compared to 50.4% in 2024. 2025 operating expenses were TWD 47.01 billion or 38.3% of revenue. The OpEx ratio came down 0.2 percentage points compared to 38.5% in 2024.

2025 operating income was TWD 14.36 billion or 11.7% of revenue compared to 11.9% in 2024. 2025 nonop income was TWD 2.90 billion, compared to TWD 2.84 billion in 2024. 2025 net income after tax was TWD 14.75 billion or 12% of revenue compared to TWD 15.29 billion or 13.5% of revenue in 2024.

Note that Realtek started implementing the 15% global minimum tax in 2025.

2025 EPS as a result was TWD 28.77 compared to TWD 29.82 in 2024. We have the fourth quarter 2025 as well as 2025 full year balance sheet and cash flow statement for your reference at your convenience. This concludes Realtek fourth quarter 2025 and 2025 full year financial results.

Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2026, Realtek maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook for its short-term operations, supported by customers' inventory restocking and prestocking in response to supply chain uncertainties. The company will continue to closely monitor the external environment and development across all markets -- all end markets.

Now let's examine the key market segments Realtek serves. The PC market, according to IDC, the global PC market of all platforms shipped 76.4 million units in the fourth quarter of 2025, remaining relatively stable compared to the 75.5 million units shipped in the previous quarter. This steady performance reflects ongoing efforts by companies to balance year-end inventory controls with market demand driven by enterprises upgrade for Windows 11 and strategically front-load inventory ahead of potential supply risk in 2026. As a result, Realtek experienced soft PC-related shipments in the fourth quarter with the split between PC and non-PC segments shifting approximately to 33% to 67% versus 35% to 65% in the previous quarter.

Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2026, the industry is poised for significant volatility due to a global memory shortage, primarily driven by strong AI server demand. This shortage is anticipated to elevate component prices and result in PC retail price increases. Consequently, full year 2026 PC unit shipments are projected to decline by roughly 2.4% according to IDC, reflecting ongoing supply constraints and a slowdown following the recent refresh cycle. This projection could change depending on how severe the supply constraints become. Despite these challenges, the market is expected to shift rapidly towards high-value hardware featuring advanced AI capabilities, positioning Realtek to capture emerging opportunities in the coming year. Next, the global consumer electronics market appears to be relatively flat in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Looking ahead to 2026, modest growth may be anticipated in the segments where Realtek is most active, including TV, gaming and home appliance as several emerging trends warrant attention. The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to spur a replacement cycle for large screen OLED and mini LED TV. The gaming console market is projected to expand, fueled by next-generation devices such as Nintendo Switch 2 and blockbuster releases like GTA6, which are likely to increase hardware demand despite increases due to memory shortages. Meanwhile, the IoT sector continues to evolve steadily with a significant focus on energy-efficient, AI-powered, intelligent appliances, leveraging edge computing and universal interoperability standards such as the Matter protocol.

Additionally, the industry is prioritizing human-centric design, emphasizing product longevity, sustainability and practical utility over simple innovation. These market trends are closely aligned with Realtek's value proposition and product strategy. Networking infrastructure market is experiencing a significant inflection point, fueled by a strong uptick in AI-driven automation in late 2025. This momentum is most notable in the PON segment, where high-speed technologies exceeding 10 gigabit per second are emerging as the preferred backhaul solution for 5G and Wi-Fi 7 networks.

As we look toward 2026, industry trends point to a close alignment between advanced wired infrastructure and wireless innovation with the adoption of Wi-Fi 7 accelerating globally. This convergence enables multi-gigabit fiber connections to deliver the high-speed, reliable performance required by next-generation wireless technologies. Realtek remains at the forefront of this evolution, focusing on higher-speed solutions and next-generation switches with regional telco projects in India, China, North America and Southeast Asia, driving adoption of new standards such as Wi-Fi 7 and advanced PON configurations.

Next, the global automotive market experienced considerable volatility in 2025, marked by events such as Infineon's acquisition of Marvell's Automotive Ethernet business, ongoing disputes involving Nexperia, rising geopolitical tensions and an industry-wide focus on high-performance AI. There was also a renewed customer preference in gasoline and hybrid vehicles, coupled with a noticeable slowdown in electric vehicle demand and sales with November 2025 recording the smallest monthly increase since February 2024 due to a China slowdown and U.S. decline per Reuters report.

Despite these headwinds, Realtek's Automotive Ethernet business delivered exceptional results, achieving growth that significantly outpaced our overall corporate performance. Looking ahead to 2026, the automotive industry is undergoing a pivotal shift towards software-defined vehicles. This transition is accompanied by a cooling EV market and rising demand for high-bandwidth network solutions. While local -- while global light vehicle production in 2026 is expected to stay flat or down slightly compared to 2025 according to S&P Mobility, the value of electronics in each vehicle continues to climb with innovation like the smart cockpit featuring AI integration, high-resolution display and seamless connectivity becoming key differentiators for OEMs. Realtek is well positioned to capitalize on these trends expanding our automotive offerings beyond Ethernet to include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio DSP, smart cockpit SoC and display retimer solutions, supporting the evolving needs of our customers.

Thank you, Yee-Wei. Now we are entering the Q&A session. [Operator Instructions]

The first question is from Bruce Lu, Goldman Sachs related to growth outlook and first half 2026. Following customer year-end inventory adjustments in fourth quarter 2025, what is Realtek's revenue growth outlook in first quarter 2026? Are you seeing any signs that customer restocking activity is coming in stronger than previously expected? And do you believe this momentum can be sustained into second quarter 2026?

Okay. As commented earlier, following the inventory adjustment in the fourth quarter of 2025, we hold a cautiously optimistic outlook for the first quarter '26 supported by customer inventory restocking alongside strategic prestocking in response to ongoing supply chain uncertainties. Overall, we project a robust first half 2026. However, we remain vigilant regarding the potential impact of rising inventory costs and are closely monitoring end and demand and the spec upgrade cycle across our key applications.

A second question from Bruce Lu regarding gross margin outlook. With respect to gross margin, how does management expect gross margin to trend in 2026? Should we anticipate further improvement driven by product mix optimization and which product lines are expected to be the most meaningful contributors to margin expansion?

Yes. Several market dynamics are influencing our gross margin outlook. We observe a growing preference among OEMs and ODMs for silicon solution with embedded DRAM and/or flash as this relieves them of the complexity of managing memory supply. However, embedding memory components tend to exert downward pressure on gross margin for us, as OEMs and ODMs generally expect nothing but at most a direct pass-through. In light of these factors, Realtek remains focused on cost and performance optimization to ensure we deliver the most competitive products in the market while striving to maintain the current gross margin level.

The next question is from Wei Lun Yang, JPMorgan. What is the cost outlook for 2026 for foundry, package and testing service?

The lost outlook -- the cost outlook for 2026 in the semiconductor foundry, package and testing service sectors is being notably influenced by both the direct and indirect impacts of AI. These impacts are clearly evident, particularly in how production capacities and materials allocations are being squeezed and reallocated to accommodate AI-related demand. For Realtek's market offering, which primarily focus on mature process nodes and packaging technologies, capacity utilization at a macro level is still not at full load. This gives us some flexibility and room to adapt to market changes as they arise.

However, this adaptability can be challenged when foundry and packaging houses reallocate a significant portion of their workforce and resources toward more advanced technologies. Such shifts can create ripple effect, leading to increased price pressure throughout the supply chain, as highlighted by TrendForce. Our long-standing strategic partnership with suppliers built on mutual benefit and coexistence give us strong confidence that we can manage to secure supply at competitive costs, maintaining our strong market position in 2026.

The next question is from Astoria Chen CLSA. Regardless of memory substrates and other raw materials, can Realtek pass this incremental cost on to clients?

As we discussed previously regarding embedded memory, our OEM and ODM customers typically expect us to pass through any changes in many -- in memory costs directly without markup. This expectation also applies to increases in substrate and other raw material costs. In more challenging scenarios, customers may even pressure Realtek to absorb certain upstream cost increases. Nevertheless, we are actively collaborating with both customers and suppliers to navigate these pressures and find balanced solutions.

Next question is from Kevin, Mizuho, on demand risk. Do you see demand risk for PC, networking and consumer in 2026, given potential price hike after memory cost increase?

Well, while we acknowledge that rising costs could potentially weigh on demand, current feedback from major customers in these sectors does not indicate an imminent sharp contraction in volume. However, we remain cautious and will continue to closely monitor the trajectory of memory pricing and its broader impact on market dynamics such as deferred upgrade or prolonged replacement cycle.

The next question is from Sunny Lin, UBS, regarding OpEx. How would your OpEx and OpEx ratio trend in the first quarter and 2026? Will OpEx be elevated due to more advanced node designs in 2026?

As we discussed in our third quarter 2025 earnings call, our operating expense ratio has remained stable, including in the fourth quarter of 2025. Looking ahead, we expect our OpEx ratio to continue remaining at current level as we maintain disciplined expense management while driving the mass adoption of AI technologies.

The next question is from Daniel Yen, Morgan Stanley, about order visibility. How long is the order visibility for our products in the near term? Which product line is seeing the most improvement or the most decline?

As part of our long-established best practices, Realtek asks customers to provide a 12-month rolling forecast twice each month. This process enables us to generally align supply with anticipated demand. However, actual order visibility remains limited as customers often adjust order schedule pulling in or pushing out orders to react to changing market conditions even while keeping their overall long-term forecast steady. Currently in response to supply chain uncertainties, we are seeing customers pulling in their orders particularly from the second quarter to the first quarter.

Next question is from Rick Hsu, Daiwa. What is the current channel inventory situation and how are we managing it?

Although Realtek inventory turnover days were elevated for 127 days by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, we understand that inventory levels across the channel are generally healthy. As previously noted, the high inventory at Realtek was primarily due to seasonal softness in the fourth quarter and our proactive inventory build of strategy to support customers, who have signaled significant order increases after the new year. These orders are intended for restocking and to manage persistent uncertainties in the supply chain.

We anticipate a planned increase in inventory levels within the channel during the first quarter, but remain confident that inventories at both Realtek and our distribution partners are well managed.

A question raised by [indiscernible]. The fourth quarter '25 revenue dropped around 11%, but inventory levels surged to TWD 19.5 billion. Is that because the old products such as Wi-Fi 6 digestion is lower than expected? Are we expecting more severe write-offs in the coming quarters? How about Wi-Fi 7 inventory level?

Okay. I do not have the details of inventory breakdown, although suffice it to say, the inventory buildup, as we mentioned, is targeted for the order -- dramatic order increase in the fourth quarter. In terms of the write-offs, it is really a minor part of the total business. We do not expect a frequent recurrence than what we encountered during the COVID period.

Thank you. Yee-Wei. The next question is from Aaron Jeng. Please provide an update on your AI exposure and related product development. Specifically, what are your strategies and future plans within the AI domain?

Realtek's strategic vision focuses on enabling mass adoption of AI in edge devices by making them more user-centric and interactive, recognizing that edge devices are integral components of the broader AI ecosystem, including network infrastructure and AI servers, both on-premise and in the cloud. Realtek is committed to developing connectivity solution that are faster, more flexible and easier to manage. In doing so, our AI solutions aim to unify edge computing, connectivity and cloud computing into a seamless experience. AI is also deeply integrated across all aspects of Realtek operations. We leveraged AI to enhance our daily business processes and drive innovation in product design and testing, enabling us to deliver advanced silicon solutions with built-in AI features.

These capabilities empower our customers to seamlessly incorporate AI into their own products. For example, at CES early this month, we showcased a range of innovation, including AI-powered TV and intelligent displays, IoT full color low light, ultra low power multimodal AI SoC, a comprehensive agentic AI ecosystem for smart homes, among others.

Beyond integrating AI into Realtek products for a more natural audio visual machine interface, we are seeing increasing adoption of our solutions by data and AI server peripherals. Looking ahead, we are launching an edge optimized AI processor design for industrial and commercial applications as well as ultra high-speed connectivity solution for data and AI servers.

The next question is from Sunny Lin, UBS related to SSD controller. Could you provide an update on the latest development in SSD controller particularly regarding opportunities in NVIDIA AI servers? How many for SSD controller contribute in terms of percentage of sales?

Well, the SSD controller market for NVIDIA AI servers is experiencing rapid change. To seize emerging opportunities, it is essential to accelerate the adoption of PCIe Gen 5, provide customer customization for industrial and edge applications and incorporate advanced management features such as I3C hub. The market remains dynamic presenting substantial potential in both mainstream and specialized sectors.

Several industrial clients have already implemented Realtek SSD controllers and I3C hubs in their servers, often requiring various levels of customization. However, Realtek cannot disclose details about specific customers or comment on the contribution of individual product lines.

The next question is from William Young. Regarding optical module, which specific ICs will Realtek provide? Is it a DSP? What is the current status? Do you have any design ins or design wins? Who are the main competitors in the space?

The high-speed 400-gig, 800-gig and 1.6T connectivity ecosystem are fundamentally built upon the synergy between SerDes/DSP IP and specialized optical transceiver manufacturers. Leading companies in the SerDes/DSP space include Broadcom and Marvell, while Coherent and Lumentum are among the top specialized optical transceiver producers. Realtek today is concentrating on developing PAM4 SerDes operating at 112 gigabit per second and 224 gigabit per second, utilizing advanced 4-nano wafer technology. We are also tracking the technological development of optical transceivers.

The 112 gigabit per second SerDes plays a crucial role in 400-gig and 800-gig optical module, while the 224 gigabit per second SerDes supports ultra-high-speed data transmission in 800 gig and 1.6T modules. These innovations are geared primarily towards data centers powering AI, cloud computing and high-performance computing as well as telecommunication networks for infrastructure and backbone connectivity. We anticipate taping out the controller IC for 100-gig optical module this quarter, while the tape-out for the 400-gig PAM4 DSP for optical module and that for 800-gig PAM4 DSP are on track.

The next question is from Sunny Lin, UBS. Regarding the ASIC road map for 5-nanometer and 4-nanometer nodes, when can we expect products to launch? And have there been any early customer engagements?

Well, as a seasoned provider of ASIC solutions, we are actively preparing to expand our ASIC offerings to encompass servers and related applications, making consistent progress in line with our strategic road map. Currently, we are optimizing our design processes for advanced nodes such as the 5-nano family, including the 4-nanometer process node. As previously communicated, we are also developing essential IPs, including PAM4, 112-gig and 224-gig per lane SerDes for targeted users like edge servers. Throughout this process, we collaborate closely with potential customers to ensure our efforts align with their needs.

The next is a question related to Wi-Fi from Mike Yang, Bank of America. What is the recent progress of Realtek's Wi-Fi 8 product development? Additionally, could you provide an update on the expected penetration rate of Wi-Fi 7 in PC and routers in 2026 as well as ASP comparison among Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7?

Well, Realtek's Wi-Fi 8 also known as 802.11bn solution. stay on track. While the public date for the WiFi 8 plus fab has yet to be announced as of January 2026, we expect the first event to take place this year and Realtek plans to participate. The initial wave of products featuring Wi-Fi 8 technology, including those from Realtek is anticipated to reach the market in 2028. Built on strong progress in 2025, we project that Wi-Fi 7 adoption in PCs and routers will double again this year, achieving penetration rates of approximately 30% for PCs and 25% for routers. This projection closely aligns with TSR's forecast, which estimates Wi-Fi 7 penetration will reach 32% for PCs and 21% for routers in 2026. At the end of the fourth quarter of 2025, the average selling price ratio among Wi-Fi 5, 6 and 7 was about 1 to 1.6 to 3.3.

Next is a question related to spec upgrade from Nicholas, Citi. What is your review on the spec upgrade opportunities for Realtek's key product lines for this year? For example, what is the growth opportunity for the managed switch GPON solutions?

Now despite ongoing component shortages and inflation, the managed switch market is set for a healthy growth in 2026 with shipments rebounding in Q1. This is fueled by growing demand for multi-gigabit switches in enterprise and telecom, driven by bandwidth needs for Wi-Fi 7 and cloud services. Next-generation switch innovation, including 25-gig SerDes, 50-gig, 100-gig PAM4 and better energy efficiency are drawing interest from enterprise and private cloud customers. Although the growth of GPON may be indirectly affected by the rising memory prices and substantial investment in AI servers, with the surge in the AI server demand increasing costs and straining the supply chain, which could divert components and investments and impact GPON equipment costs and deployment timeliness.

The market remains supported by strong fundamentals. High-speed broadband demand and government initiatives continue to drive GPON expansion. To this end, GPON market is expected to grow healthily in 2026, reaching a total addressable market of about 227 million units. This is driven by global FTTH, fiber-to-the-home, upgrade and the shift to 10 GPON, especially in North America, Europe, China and India. Adoption of Wi-Fi 7-enabled GPON devices is rising in high-end markets and operators are seeking higher speed solutions. While Chinese chip makers lead in China, there are opportunities for other suppliers to gain overseas market share as operators diversify sourcing. Ongoing broadband investments, rapid tech advances and strong operator demand supports this positive outlook, but flexible sourcing and inventory management remain crucial amidst material shortage.

The next question are questions from Sunny on Ethernet and switch. On Ethernet, what is Realtek's market position in 10G PHY space? Do you expect to continue to gain shares within U.S. and Europe in 2026? On the switch side, what's the latest progress on your share gain in managed switches? And what is the current share split between managed and unmanaged switches?

Realtek continues to be a leading provider of Ethernet solution across the market, supporting the full range of speeds, including 1 gigabit, 2.5 gig, 5 gig and 10 gig. Our 10-gig Ethernet products are now increasingly found in server-grade PCs, switches, Wi-Fi 7 routers and PON applications. We continue to see significant opportunities for growth both through gaining market share and expanding our global presence. In the Ethernet switch segment, we currently ship a much higher volume of unmanaged switches compared to managed switches, both in unit and revenue.

Notably, we are seeing strong momentum in the transition to 2.5-gig Ethernet in the unmanaged switch segment. However, the managed switch business has experienced even stronger overall growth, particularly in revenue as we secure new projects and continue to gain market share.

So also question from Sunny Lin, UBS. Can you update the competitive landscape for Wi-Fi and Ethernet, et cetera, in China in recent 6 to 9 months? Are local Chinese competitors catching up to Realtek's Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 capabilities?

Now in recent years, China's semiconductor market has been shaped by a strong government-driven push for technological independence. Domestic companies are working to keep pace with global leaders in next-generation Wi-Fi 7 and advanced Ethernet technologies. HiSilicon, in particular, has emerged as a major force, expanding its share in the enterprise market. While companies like Realtek continue to lead in the high-end segment, Chinese firms are making share gains in the Chinese domestic IoT and consumer markets despite only a limited number adopting Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 solutions. This increasingly competitive environment is driving global leaders to innovate more rapidly in areas such as performance, reliability and AI-based features, ultimately benefiting the wider market and end users around the world.

There are a couple of questions related to automotive business from the core. First, Daniel Yen from Morgan Stanley asks, what is the current sentiment in the automotive market? Are we seeing any signs of demand recovery?

As of January 2026, following a stronger-than-expected 2025, sentiment in the automotive market remains mixed and cautious. Global light vehicle production is projected to stay flat or down slightly, influenced by tariff inflation and weakening EV demand in North America and Europe. Although demand is rebounding in the used vehicle sector and there's a renewed global interest in hybrids, overall new vehicle sales are expected to be flat or see only a slight year-over-year decrease. This outlook is shaped by the exploration of EV subsidies and AI-driven shortage of DRAM and substrates, ongoing Nexperia disputes and various geopolitical tensions.

Next, Bruce Lu from Goldman Sachs would like to ask how does management view the growth outlook for Realtek's automotive business in 2026? What is the estimated revenue contribution from auto applications? And how do you see the growth dynamics evolving between China and non-China automotive market in 2026?

As previously discussed, Realtek's automotive business currently centers on automotive Ethernet PHY and switches, which have seen strong growth year after year, including 2025. However, as our market share grows, this growth rate is likely to moderate. We are broadening our automotive portfolio beyond Ethernet to include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio DSP, smart cockpit SoC and display retimer solutions in response to customers' increasing demand for smart cockpit features. In 2026, China automotive industry is shifting from domestic growth to international expansion as local demand slows after the end of purchase subsidies and the return of 5% vehicle acquisition tax. Chinese manufacturers are increasing exports and building factories abroad, especially in Europe and Latin America to navigate new trade barriers.

Growth in the Chinese domestic market is expected to be minimal or may even decline as new energy vehicles are nearing market saturation. For instance, NEVs make up 59.4% of new passenger car sales in China in November 2025. In contrast, exports are projected to increase by more than 10% in 2026, helping to offset weaker domestic sales according to the China Passenger Car Association, CAPC. Meanwhile, non-China market faced flat EV growth and stagnant light vehicle production due to tariffs and trade issues. Europe is seeing an influx of Chinese imports, while South America and South Asia are showing growth, thanks to favorable policies. Chinese companies like BYD are expanding overseas, intensifying competition and influencing global markets. This shift marks China's move from rapid domestic growth to a more export-focused survival-driven approach with significant implications for non-China make markets.

Also another question from Sunny, UBS. What is the current progress on ramping up auto Wi-Fi and audio codecs? What is the estimated opportunity for this segment?

We apply the same rigorous process used in automotive Ethernet to WiFi, Bluetooth and audio codecs. In essence, developing and delivering an automotive-grade silicon solution requires a structured safety-focused methodology that complies with industry standards such as ISO 26262 and AECQ100 and follows a comprehensive silicon to system life cycle. Due to the lengthy design-in process typical in automotive industry, it will likely be another 1 or 2 years before these new solutions contribute materially to the company.

The next question is related to PC from Aaron Jeng, Nomura. What's your current view on 2026 PC market outlook?

Market reports and customer feedback suggests that outlook for the PC market in 2026 may see either contraction or little to no growth. Following a notable high single-digit increase in shipments across all tech categories, including x86, Mac, Chromebook and Windows on Arm devices in 2025. Despite the potential lower volume, the market will achieve significant milestone as AI PCs are anticipated to account for over 55% of total shipments, even as increasing memory shortage drive up average prices. Meanwhile, Windows on Arm could see renewed momentum in 2026, thanks to next-generation Qualcomm chips, the introduction of NVIDIA N1X notebooks and optimized Windows 11 support for ARM-based AI PCs.

Another question on PC by Bruce Lu, Goldman Sachs. For Realtek's PC-related business, do you expect growth to be driven more by unit volume growth or by content value expansion? If content value growth is a key driver, what magnitude of uplift are you targeting? And which product upgrades or features are contributing most?

Now it should become obvious by now, Realtek PC-related business in 2026 is expected to be driven primarily by content value expansion rather than unit volume growth as global PC shipments face contraction pressures. This growth is fueled by transition to AI PCs and next-generation connectivity, which help offset sluggish unit volume. Notable opportunities include a rapid surge in Wi-Fi 7 penetration that is expected to double in PCs from the 2025 level. AI PC integrations like advanced audio/MPU DSPs for noise cancellation, high-speed 5-, 10-gigabit Ethernet controllers compatible with Windows on Arm and advanced Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.2 combo chips featuring specialized low-latency gaming and lossless audio modes.

Additionally, Realtek is embedding AI accelerators directly into peripherals such as edge AI USB cameras for human sensing and AI-enhanced fingerprint biometrics effectively increase the dollar per PC content by replacing standard sensors with high security intelligent modules. Furthermore, Realtek is maintaining its leadership position in high-speed interface solutions like USB4, HDMI and DisplayPort, which are essential for providing robust data and multimedia connectivity in PCs.

The next question is from Edison Hsia from HSBC. Can you provide the growth sequence by major segments for Realtek in 2026? What is the major growth drivers for Realtek in 2026?

In general, I believe you have heard the networking may be the strongest segment, among others. Although in other areas, although there may be volume limitation -- limited growth, but Realtek is looking at content opportunities to sustain our growth in 2026.

Thank you, Yee-Wei. Due to the time constraints, we will conclude the meeting now. Thanks for your participation today. Please feel free to contact our IR team if you have further questions after the meeting. The replay will be available on the IR page of the company website before 6:00 p.m. Thank you, and have a good afternoon.

Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to Realtek 2025 Third Quarter Earnings Call. This call is chaired by Realtek's spokesperson, Yee-Wei Huang. The presentation will be available on the company website before 6:00 p.m. today. At the beginning, our spokesperson will report our third quarter financial results and give a management's remark. After that, we will have a quick Q&A session. wepex.,ent. Note that portions of what is presented in this call contain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty. Actual results may differ materially from the results forecasted or implied in such statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on such statements. Now I'll pass this call to our spokesperson, Yee-Wei.

Okay. Thank you. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen on the line. You are currently participating in the third quarter 2025 webcast earnings release hosted by Realtek Semiconductor Corporation. Now let us go through the third quarter 2025 financial results. Q3 revenue was TWD 29.49 billion, representing a 7.6% decline from the previous quarter and a 4.1% decrease year-over-year in NT dollars. when excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate, Q2 revenue fell by 4.2% quarter-over-quarter but rose 3.8% year-over-year in U.S. dollars. The absence of a typical seasonal peak in the third quarter was expected due to the unusually strong performance in the first half of the year.

Q3 gross margin was 49.7%, a 0.5 percentage point decrease quarter-over-quarter due to product mix changes. Q3 operating expense totaled TWD 11.54 billion, accounting for 39.1% of revenue. The OpEx expenses declined by 4% in absolute dollars, while the OpEx ratio saw a 1.5 percentage point increase, mainly due to the 7.6% drop in revenue. Q3 operating profit was TWD 3.11 billion, representing an operating margin of 10.6%. The decrease in operating margin is a result of a drop in gross margin, along with a higher OpEx ratio. Q3 non-op income was TWD 932 million, an increase from TWD 616 million in the previous quarter, mainly due to an increase in government subsidies and gain on valuation of financial assets.

Q3 net profit was TWD 3.43 billion or 11.6% of revenue. Q3 EPS as a result was TWD 6.6 compared to TWD 7.62 in Q2 2025 or TWD 8.53 in Q3 2024. Regarding inventory, Q3 inventory turnover has increased to 105 days compared to 92 compared to 92 days in Q2, a rise of 15 days. This uptick is attributable both to decreased business volume in Q3 and strategic manufacturing adjustments in response to market uncertainty. Even with the higher inventory turnover days, we consider our inventory levels to be very manageable, especially given the continued healthy inventory level within the channels.

Additionally, third quarter 2025 balance sheet and cash flow statement are available online for your review at any time. This concludes Realtek's third quarter 2025 financial results. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Realtek stays cautiously conservative regarding its operations due to potential changes in U.S. tariff policies and anticipated customer adjustments to year-end inventory levels. The company is closely monitoring the external environment and developments across all end markets.

Now let's examine the key market segments Realtek serves. The global PC market experienced robust growth in the third quarter 2025, with shipments increasing by approximately 7% to 9% year-over-year, depending on the source. This uptick was largely fueled by a wave of upgrades prompted by the end of Windows 10 support and the hardware requirements needed for Windows 11. According to the latest IDC report, over 75 million PCs were shipped in Q3 and full year global PC shipments are projected to rise by 5.6%. This forecast implies that PC shipments are expected to decrease by a high single-digit percentage from the previous quarter in Q4. At Realtek, our PC-related products including PC Ethernet, PC codec, PC web cams, Type-C and monitor solutions performed below the company average in the third quarter, following exceptionally strong results in the first half of the year. As a result, Realtek Q3 revenue split between PC and non-PC segments stood roughly at 35% to 65%, respectively.

Moving into the final quarter of the year, most PC customers are adopting a cautious approach to inventory management. As a result, semiconductor sales to the PC market may see further deceleration before a likely notable rebound in the first quarter of 2026.

Now on consumer electronics, despite ongoing supply chain pressures and geographical challenges in 2025, consumer demand for smarter, more connected and efficient Electronics continued to support respectable, though diminished quarter-over-quarter sales in TVs, white goods and home electronics during the third quarter. Realtek experienced stable demand in both the gaming and [indiscernible] markets throughout this period. Like PC market, we anticipate most customers are adopting a cautious approach to inventory management in the fourth quarter as well. On communication network, in the third quarter of 2025, regional growth in communications network market was observed fueled by infrastructure investments, technological advancements and geopolitical developments with a particular emphasis on the expansion of [indiscernible] PON or passive optical network infrastructure. China remained a key influencer of market trends while continuing policies aimed at achieving semiconductor self-reliance and strengthening supply chain sovereignty.

Beyond China, regions such as North America, the EU, India and emerging markets saw marked increases in PON and fiber broadband infrastructure, supported by a variety of government-led initiatives. These efforts have generated new opportunities and heightened demand for Realtek multi-gig switches, managed switch, 10G and 25G PON as well as Wi-Fi 7 solutions. This momentum is expected to persist in 2026, following what may be a softer fourth quarter.

Now on automotive, while automotive Ethernet development does not completely depend on electric vehicles or EV adoption, the rapid growth of EV market is driving innovation and increasing demand for advanced in-vehicle networking despite facing headwinds in the third quarter, such as changes in subsidies in China, regulatory delays in Europe and reduced incentives in the United States. The global EV market is maintaining a robust expansion, strong Q3 sales, a wider variety of models from different manufacturers and deeper market penetration underscore this positive momentum. Although market corrections and evolving regional policies may temporarily slow EV growth, Realtek's automotive Ethernet business continues to outperform the corporate average.

Additionally, in Q3, Realtek is readying to launch a standard-based automotive service solution designed for ultra-high-speed image transmission. The automotive [indiscernible] Alliance Motion Link or AML technology matches the performance of the leading proprietary Certes chips features integrated data security and includes time stamp capabilities to meet the stringent requirements of modern automotive applications. Expect to hear more about AML in the future.

Thank you, Yee-Wei. Now we are entering the Q&A session. reply. The first question is from Sunny Lin, UBS, related to visibility for fourth quarter 2025 and first quarter 2026. After the demand pull-ins in the first half of 2025, what is the current visibility like for fourth quarter 2025 and first quarter 2026?

Okay. The full year forecast of 2025 has remained largely unchanged since the beginning of the year according to feedback from most of our customers despite a notable strong performance in the first half. As we saw in the third quarter after a strong first half, there was a noticeable slowdown in orders, even though this period traditionally marks a peak in demand for Realtek products. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Realtek anticipates that customers will adjust their year-end inventory levels, and the company continues to manage its operations with caution and prudence. Nevertheless, it is important to note that underlying market demand appears to persist as detailed in the preceding sections regarding each major market segments Realtek serves. Given these trends, it will be reasonable to expect a robust 2026, including a strong start in the first quarter.

The next question is from Kevin Wang, Mizuho regarding gross margin outlook. How should we expect gross margin range in fourth quarter 2025 and 2026? Do we expect better product mix in 2026? Which product line will be major growth driver for gross margin?

Okay. Gross margin is shaped by both the average selling price or ASP and the average supply cost of ASC. These metrics depend not only on the sales prices and costs of individual products, but also on the overall product mix. Competitive pressures and customers' expectations consistently drive ASP downward for the existing products. While Realtek in turn, worked hard to negotiate lower ASC with our vendors, this ongoing top of war demands careful management and Realtek has consistently managed to strike a reasonable balance between ASC and ASP for each product. When it comes to product mix, Realtek is leveraging the growing trend toward artificial intelligence as consumers increasingly expect electronic products with smarter audio-video-oriented human machine interfaces, these value-added features create opportunities for Realtek to deliver advanced solutions that often generate better ASP and gross margins. However, the surging demand for high-performance AI is at the same time, putting pressure on the supply chain. Top-tier AI servers and data centers are consuming a disproportionate share of resources, which means others must compete for what's left. This resource constraints already evident in memory and advanced packaging is expected to keep ASC elevated for at least the next year. In response to these challenges, Realtek is committed to work closely with our suppliers and customers to stabilize supply continuity as well as maintain healthy gross margins. This commitment will guide our efforts as we move into the fourth quarter 2025 and beyond.

Next question is from Daniel, Morgan Stanley, regarding OpEx. Could you update us the OpEx spending behavior recently and also into 2026?

Since the first quarter of 2024, our operating expense or OpEx ratio has varied between 37.4% and 40.1%. This aligns with our strategic decision to accelerate our entry into advanced process nodes, which are critical for delivering AI solutions that require top-tier performance and energy efficiency. Moving forward, we expect our OpEx ratio to fluctuate within this range as we remain committed to enabling the widespread adoption of AI technologies, while AI continues to push the technology envelope.

Next question is from Mike Young, Bank of America. Regarding to the inventory, what's Realtek's view about the inventory level by itself and also on the customer side?

As previously mentioned, Realtek inventory turnover for the third quarter increased to 105 days from the 92 days in Q2, marking a rise of 15 days. This change is primarily due to lower business volume in Q3 and our strategic adjustments in response to market volatility and uncertainty. Despite the high turnover days, we remain confident that our inventory levels are well under control given the ongoing strength and stability of inventory throughout our channel, including both distributors and customers. Looking ahead, we are committed to reducing inventory turnover days to below 90, a goal we believe is attainable in 2026.

The next question is from Sunny Lin, UBS. How's the initial outlook for consumer demand in 2026? How's the general feedback from clients in terms of sentiment around demand considering trade tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty, upgrade cycle and spec upgrades and so on? Would you expect to see another good round of restocking into early 2026?

Now based on current assessment, consumer demand in 2026 is expected to increase steadily with markets reflecting a balance of cautious optimism and strategic inventory replenishment, particularly in the early part of the year. This growth is anticipated to be fueled by upgrade cycles, ongoing technological progress and consumers' focus on value. Although short-term volatility may rise from geopolitical and tariff-related challenge, the overall outlook suggests continued steady growth throughout 2026.

The next question is from Rick, Daiwa. What impact does China semiconductor localization have on Realtek? What strategies will we adopt to respond?

China's drive for semiconductor localization is profoundly affecting global semiconductor companies, fueled by geopolitical tensions, export controls and the nation's pursuit of strategic self-sufficiency. These changes are resulting in restricted market access, reduced revenue opportunities, fragmented supply chain, heightened competition from domestic Chinese chip manufacturers and increased risk to the supply of critical materials. In response, Realtek's strategies focus on building regional ecosystem such as China for China, diversifying supply chain, investing in innovation and advanced nodes and maintaining close collaboration with government and industry organizations to manage tariffs, navigate export controls, influence policies and secure essential technologies and market assets.

The next is a question related to Wi-Fi from [indiscernible]. Management previously expected Wi-Fi 7 penetration rate to be higher than 10% in 2025. What is the expectations for 2026, especially in PC and router applications?

Now according to our latest analysis, we anticipate that around 15% of PC models will be equipped with Wi-Fi 7 in 2025, while router adoption will be around the 10% mark. We expect the Wi-Fi 7 penetration rate for both PCs and routers to double by 2026, which aligns with our projections.

A question on Wi-Fi 8 from [indiscernible] Yang, JPMorgan. What is our view on initial adoption on Wi-Fi 8? What application might use Wi-Fi 8 in early stage? From now to WiFi 8, do we see more competition on Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6 in 2026?

Okay. Wi-Fi 7 or IEEE 802.11 is approaching the final stages of its draft process with Draft 1.0 having been approved this past August. The official IEEE standard is anticipated to be finalized around September 2028. Unlike earlier Wi-Fi generations that [indiscernible] maximum throughput, Wi-Fi 8 is designed with ultra-high reliability at its core, aiming to deliver consistent performance even in demanding conditions. Key new features include coordinated multi-asset point support, dynamic spectrum management and hardware accelerated telemetry optimized for AI workloads at the network edge. Initial deployments of Wi-Fi 8 are expected in environments require ultra-low latency, high device density and stable connectivity, such as smart homes filled with IoT devices, immersive AR/VR setups, autonomous systems, digital twins and AI-powered networks. Realtek plans to participate in the Wi-Fi 8+ fest tentatively scheduled to start in 2026. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 7 will be marking its second year of market growth in 2025 with adoption rates projected to be more than double from its first year and expected to double again in 2026. Wi-Fi 6 will also maintain a strong presence in both PC and networking markets with both Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 devices continuing to coexist. Through 2026, competition between these 2 standards will likely to persist, shaped by cost and performance considerations until Wi-Fi 8 begins to see early adoption. Although Wi-Fi 8 chipsets and products may start to emerge, widespread consumer adoption is not anticipated until after the standard is finalized and broader ecosystem matures.

The next questions from Sunny, UBS, both on Ethernet and switch. On Ethernet, what is Realtek's market position with 10-gig PO situation like? Will Realtek continue to gain shares within U.S. and Europe in 2026? As for Realtek switch business, what's the latest progress of your share gain in managed switches and current share split between managed and unmanaged switches?

Well, Realtek holds a significant position in the Ethernet PHY market, particularly with our advanced 10G5 and related solutions. In 2025, the company introduced a range of enhanced 10 gigabit per second Ethernet networking products featuring PCIe and/or USB interfaces. As a top global Ethernet provider alongside Broadcom and Marvell, Realtek plays a crucial role in shaping the overall market. The worldwide 10G Ethernet market is expected to see strong growth through the late 2020s, driven by robust demand from North America, Europe and Asia Pacific region. Major growth factors include high-end workstations, motherboards, innovative network devices like 10G PON, switches and AP routers and the emergence of local AI personal computing. Realtek's energy-efficient, cost-effective 10G Ethernet offerings are poised to reinforce its competitive edge and are projected to increase its market share in the U.S. and Europe in 2026. Within the Ethernet switch market, Realtek continues to grow its share, especially in the cost-sensitive and consumer-focused segments while also advancing in the managed switch space. The growing need for enterprise-level network management is accelerating managed switch adoption, although unmanaged switches still dominate in terms of volume due to their popularity among consumers and small businesses. As organizations modernize their networks, the balance between managed and unmanaged switches is shifting, but the ease and affordability of unmanaged switches remain attractive to many users.

The next question is from [indiscernible] on Automotive. Could you please share Realtek's outlook on the auto sector? Have you seen an overall recovery in second half 2025 post tariff uncertainties? Do you continue to expect a slowdown in EV sales in EU and U.S. as subsidy fade out in second half 2025?

During the third quarter of 2025, the global automotive market demonstrated mixed but generally positive momentum. Vehicle sales gained significant traction towards the end of the quarter with the U.S. market showing especially robust results. Nevertheless, the expected reduction of subsidies in both the U.S., the EU is likely to temper the pace of electric vehicle sales growth. In response, S&P Global Mobility and other industry analysts have lowered their EV sales projections for 2025, a sentiment echoed by our OEM customers. They note ongoing challenges, including subsidy removals, tariff uncertainties, inflationary trends and shifting regulations under the current U.S. administration. Although China is expected to see a moderate rebound in EV sales, Western markets are predicted to experience slow adoption. Consequently, forecast for EV sales in the U.S. and Europe remain cautious for the rest of 2025 and beyond.

Another question related to auto is from Kevin Wang, Mizuho. What is the current sales contribution from automotive segment? What are major growth drivers for 2026 and beyond?

Now as we have previously noted on several occasions, Realtek's automotive Ethernet business has achieved growth that significantly outpaces the company's overall average over the past 6 years since its mass production. This remarkable momentum is setting automotive Ethernet up to become one of our flagship product lines. Looking forward, 2 primary factors could shape its continued progress. On the positive side, the rapid adoption of ADAS in gasoline as well as EV, especially in China, is likely to drive further innovation and expand opportunities in in-vehicle networking. Conversely, irrational car price competition or evolution, which often results in a focus on basic features to cut costs may hinder innovation. We will need to keep a close watch on how the market develops over the coming quarters. Still, Realtek remains confident in the long-term prospects of its automotive segment, not only in Ethernet, but also in Wi-Fi, audio codec DSP, display solution and other areas.

Also another question from [indiscernible], KGI. Beyond automotive Ethernet or other product lines gradually moving to automotive grade, what revenue contribution do you expect from automotive products in 2026?

Now just as highlighted earlier, Realtek is pursuing automotive grade advancements across several product lines beyond automotive Ethernet. Progress is being seen in technology like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio code. DSP and display solution in addition to SRML we mentioned. Nevertheless, expanding their presence in the automotive industry is likely to be a gradual progress.

The next question is from Bruce regarding AI glasses. Could you please provide updates on Realtek's progress on AI smart glasses? Is there any significant projects secured? What is the current revenue contribution? And when should we expect revenue to ramp up significantly?

Okay. There are reports saying that AI glasses market is experiencing rapid growth in 2025 with shipments expected to surpass 5 million units this year and projected to double to over 10 million units in 2026. This expansion is being driven by major companies such as Meta in collaboration with Ray-Ban, Google, Xiaomi and Alibaba. However, despite strong sales momentum, high return rates remain a significant concern. Returns reportedly reached about 30% on major Chinese e-commerce sites like JD.com and [indiscernible] and can climb to 40% to 50% on platforms such as [indiscernible]. The primary reason cited for these returns is the limited practical functionality of current AI glasses, and many users feel the devices do not yet deliver meaningful real-world utility. Additionally, privacy issues and social acceptance continue to be hurdles for broader adoption beyond early enthusiasts. Meta Ray-Ban AI glasses has emerged as a market leader by blending style with technology and offering features like in-land displays and gesture controls, helping them achieve over 70% global market share in the first half of 2025. Nevertheless, for AI glasses to become a true mainstream consumer products, advances -- advancements in affordability, weight, battery life and practical use cases are still needed. Realtek remains committed in monitoring the ongoing evolution of AI glasses market alongside with our customers.

The next question is related to PC from Daniel Yen, Morgan Stanley. How do we see the PC demand recently? Any preliminary shipment forecast for 2026?

Now the PC market is projected to finish 2025 with a year-over-year growth of 5% to 6% fueled by tariff-related shipment timing and ongoing OS migration. According to our analysis consistent with market research, after this period of solid growth, the outlook for 2026 is expected to remain relatively flat as Window 11 adoption levels off and economic challenges impact demand. All AI PCs defined as devices equipped with MPU alongside a CPU and GPU for running AI applications locally as well as PCs featuring MPU-enabled peripherals like AI camera, AI audio, AI fingerprint ID are anticipated to become a significant segment in 2026.

Another question on PC by Bruce Lu, Goldman Sachs. Given TSMC has shared during the second quarter '25 meeting that it is expecting significant ramp-up of on-device AI in the next 6 to 12 months, do you expect the same pace for AI PC? How much ASP increase does Realtek enjoy for AI PC versus ordinary PC for now?

Well, to the best we could recall as we review TSMC's earnings call, TSMC did not comment that it expects a significant ramp-up of on-device AI in the next 6 to 12 months. Specifically, we don't recall any comments in the transcript of the company's second quarter 2025 -- in the transcripts of the company's second quarter or third quarter 2025 earnings call. Nevertheless, we do foresee notable growth for AI PCs within the next 6 to 12 months. To clarify, industry experts generally define an AI PC as a device featuring an MPU alongside a CPU and GPU enabling local AI applications. Realtek expands on this definition of AI PC to include PCs with NPU-enabled peripherals such as AI camera, AI audio and AI fingerprint ID. We believe AI PCs will become a significant market segment in 2026. Furthermore, these advanced AI peripherals are expected to improve Realtek's average selling price.

The next question is from [indiscernible] on tender market. What portion of Realtek's networking project revenue comes from non-China market for now? And can we expect this to drive growth despite the unfavorable trend of localization in China's tenders?

Now the increasing focus on localization within China's telco sector has placed foreign solution providers at a disadvantage by limiting their access to the market, driving up compliance and operational costs and boosting the competitiveness of local suppliers. Together, these challenges have constrained the growth and presence of international firms in China telco industry. In return, many countries have introduced measures to block Chinese suppliers and mandate the use of non-Chinese components. Both the push for localization in China and the reciprocal restrictions from other countries have been ongoing for years and are likely to continue through 2026. Although this mutual exclusion can create complexity in the market, it also opens new avenues for Realtek when access to one market diminished, new opportunities arise elsewhere. Consequently, Realtek has seen a steady shift in tender revenue sources from China to other countries and now generates more tender revenue from outside China than from China.

The next question is on [indiscernible], Morgan Stanley. How do we view our opportunities in the TV market in the future as the market now is quite mature? Do we see more competition coming from China, from the TV side?

Now the TV market, while mature in terms of traditional display and broadcast technologies, remains dynamic and innovative. Established segments such as LCD, OLED and QLED are already highly optimized for both performance and pricing, yet the industry continues to evolve. Notable emerging trends, including like advancements in OLED technology, the rise of micro LED and RGB mini LED, the integration of AI-powered pictures and sound processing and the development of next-generation broadcasting and streaming models. Chinese manufacturers currently hold a strong position only at this half of the top 10 global TV brands and enjoying close relationships with domestic panel suppliers who dominate LCD and mini LED production capacity, especially then for the very large-sized TV. At the component level, the major players remain the top 3 from Taiwan plus a couple from China. The top 3 still set the pace for innovation and quality, guiding the market forward. Realtek actively collaborates with top TV brands and both OLED and LCD mini LED panel makers, positioning ourselves to drive innovation and expand its market share in this evolving landscape.

The next is a question on high-speed service development status from [indiscernible], KGI. Please provide some colors on the development progress and status of 112 gig and 224 gig service.

Okay. The development of the PAM4 112 gigabit per second and 224 gigabit per second service using the advanced 4-nanometer wafer process node is progressing as scheduled in Realtek. The 122 gigabit service serve as essential component for 400-gig and 800-gig optical modules, while the 224 gigabit per second service enable 800 gig and 1.6 tera optical module for ultra high-speed data transmission. These technologies are primarily targeted at data center supporting AI, cloud computing and high-performance computing as well as telecommunications network for infrastructure and backbone connections. The tape-out of the controller IC for the 100-gig optical module is scheduled in the fourth quarter this quarter 2025. The tape-out for the 400-gig PAM4 DSP for optical module is planned for the end of 2026 with 800-gig PAM4 DSP to come later thereafter.

The next question is from Daniel, Morgan Stanley. Do we have any updates on the ASIC development progress?

While this risking repeating ourselves, it's worth noting that Realtek has established itself as a proactive leader in the ASIC industry, consistently deliver customized silicon solution tailored to our customers' unique requirements. Currently, we are managing several ASIC projects in both the gaming and IT sectors. Looking to the future, we are diligently preparing to broaden our ASIC service to include servers and related applications, making steady progress in alignment with our strategic road map. In particular, we are enhancing our design flows for advanced process nodes such as 5-nanometer and 4-nanometer and as previously mentioned, developing crucial IP like PAM4 112 gig and 224 gig per service for specific applications, including edge servers. These initiatives reflect our continued commitment to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving demands of our customers.

The last question is from Aaron, Nomura. Considering the fast-growing auto business, what could be the long-term application mix for your company?

Well, Realtek has a committed goal to broaden our services beyond the established sectors of communications network, personal computing, consumer electronics and automotive. We are now setting our sights on expanding into health, well-being, human and robot and edge server markets. Health well-being represents a natural evolution of IoT technology. while humanoid robot segment can leverage many of the technological advancements already utilized in the automotive industry. As we speak, we are at various phases in developing solutions for optical modules, high-speed I/O hubs and PCIe [indiscernible], each addressing the unique technical demands that arise in edge server operation. Our aim is to achieve a balanced portfolio across these key segments, all working together to fulfill our vision of enabling the connected AI world.

Our last question is from Pascal, Bank of America. Would you consider to further diversify your foundry and OSAT sourcing if the suppliers can't meet your expectation on the cost improvement? Would you elaborate your current allocation? And what efforts are you doing now?

Well, on either foundry or OSAT, price is one factor, but not all the factor. We continue to assess the match of our supplier and our customer needs, and that's an ongoing activity. So current allocation, by and large, follow what we mentioned earlier, roughly 80-20, 80 still Taiwan-based foundry and OSAT while 20% non-Taiwan-based companies.

The next question is from Michael Chou from Reliance Cap. Will rising wafer prices of advanced nodes have negative impact on Realtek's gross margin in 2026? Will intensify competition in Wi-Fi 6 and 7 from Chinese peers have negative impact on Realtek's Wi-Fi gross margin in 2026?

No. The advanced node price, assuming is below 7-nanometer currently does not have direct impact as Realtek product in mass shipment, mass production shipment does not utilize such process node. In terms of competition from Chinese Wi-Fi players, currently, if the focus is on Wi-Fi 6 and 7, the impact really is minimal, if any. The impact we have in Wi-Fi competition from China mainly is still on the more mature technology such as Wi-Fi...

The last question is from [indiscernible] from HSBC. Can you please talk about I/O die opportunity? As chiplet technology becomes more mature, chip designers can separate the nodes for the CPU and I/O die. This can lead to new IO die demand from different CPU vendors. What's our opportunity here?

Well, high-speed IO is also one focus area. As we mentioned in terms of setting our site to expand our service area, high-speed I/O hub is one area we are working on and potentially such device, the high-speed I/O hub, it can be a chip on its own right or it can be a component of chiplet design. So this is definitely one opportunity area Realtek is tracking and acting on.

Due to the time constraints, we will conclude the meeting now. Thank you for your participation today. Please feel free to contact our IR team if you have further questions after the meeting. The replay will be available on the IR page of the company website before 6:00 p.m. Thank you, and have a good afternoon.