Wolfspeed stock tumbles on debt-swap deal concerns

Published 28/03/2025, 17:46
© Reuters.

Investing.com -- Shares of Wolfspeed, Inc. (NYSE: NYSE:WOLF) plunged 49% amid investor worries over the company’s inability to secure a debt-swap agreement with its noteholders. The concerns, initially reported by Reorg Research, led to a press release from Wolfspeed addressing the issue. The semiconductor company is in ongoing discussions with lenders such as Apollo and Renesas, and is also in talks with the U.S. government to obtain federal funding under the CHIPS Act.

Wolfspeed’s press release also announced the receipt of $192 million in Section 48D cash tax refunds from the IRS, which includes amounts owed for fiscal 2023 and 2024 taxes, along with accrued interest. This is part of an expected $1 billion in total Section 48D cash tax refunds. The company aims to utilize these funds to bolster its capital structure and for general corporate purposes, expecting its cash balance to be around $1.3 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2025.

Despite the market’s reaction, Wolfspeed reaffirmed its third-quarter fiscal 2025 guidance, projecting revenue from continuing operations between $170 million and $200 million, and a non-GAAP gross margin ranging from (3)% to 7%. The company also anticipates a GAAP net loss of $(295) million to $(270) million, or $(1.89) to $(1.73) per diluted share, and a non-GAAP net loss of $(138) million to $(119) million, or $(0.88) to $(0.76) per diluted share.

Furthermore, Wolfspeed reiterated its fiscal 2026 and 2027 capital expenditure forecasts and its expectation to achieve an adjusted EBITDA break-even point of $800 million in annual revenue following operational simplifications and cost reduction initiatives. The company also predicts $200 million in unlevered operating cash flow for fiscal 2026 and positive levered free cash flow in fiscal 2027 after refinancing transactions are completed.

The company’s ongoing discussions with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the White House aim to secure federal funding to support the Trump Administration’s goals of strengthening the U.S. semiconductor industry, securing domestic supply chains, and reshoring manufacturing of critical materials such as semiconductor wafers. However, earlier this month, President Donald Trump suggested that U.S. lawmakers should repeal the CHIPS Act and use the funds to pay off national debt, casting uncertainty on the potential federal support for the semiconductor industry.

Wolfspeed’s current financial situation and future prospects remain a focal point for investors as the company navigates these challenges and opportunities.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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