Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) stock fell about 10% in after-hours trading on Tuesday after the company’s outlook for both earnings per share and revenue in the current quarter missed Wall Street estimates.
Additionally, Super Micro still has not filed its 10-K annual report, which it initially postponed at the end of August. The company said it is “still unable at this time to predict when the Form 10-K will be filed.”
Super Micro said it expects adjusted earnings per share of $0.56 to $0.65 in the fiscal second quarter, below consensus estimates of $0.80, according to Bloomberg data. Meanwhile, Super Micro’s forecast for net sales between $5.5 billion and $6.1 billion was weaker than the $6.79 billion Wall Street had expected.
The gain came less than a week after accounting firm Ernst & Young (EY) resigned as Super Micro’s auditor. EY said in a filing “not willing to be associated with the financial statements prepared by management.”
Super Micro responded to those allegations on Tuesday with a response from an independent “special committee” that had investigated the allegations.
“Following a three-month investigation led by independent counsel, the committee’s investigation to date has revealed that the audit committee acted independently and that there is no evidence of fraud or misconduct on the part of management or the board of directors. board,” the press release said. said. “The committee recommends a series of corrective actions for the company to strengthen its internal governance and oversight functions, and the committee expects to deliver the full report on the completed work this week or next.”
EY’s dismissal came two months after a short report by Hindenburg Research alleged, among other things, ‘accounting manipulation’ at the artificial intelligence high-flyer.
After rallying earlier this year as investors cheered SMCI’s prospects in AI data centers, shares are now down more than 60% in the past six months.
In August, Hindenburg said the three-month investigation uncovered “flanking accounting red flags, evidence of undisclosed related party transactions, sanctions and export control failures, and customer issues.” The company also announced that it had taken a short position in Super Micro.
After that report, Super Micro postponed the filing of its annual report, sending the stock down nearly 20% at the end of August.
In September, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Department of Justice is investigating Super Micro Computer. The Journal reported that the investigation was in its “early stages,” citing people familiar with the matter. In addition, the Journal said a prosecutor from the U.S. attorney’s office in San Francisco had requested information about a former employee accused of accounting violations.
