Needham raised its price target on ON Semiconductor to $72.00 from $68.00 and maintained a Buy rating on the chip maker's shares. The new target remains below the analyst high of $80.00. ON Semiconductor's shares are trading close to their 52-week high of $66.86 and have delivered year-to-date returns of 20.22%.
The target increase follows ON Semiconductor's quarterly results, in which the company posted an earnings-per-share result that beat expectations and issued next-quarter EPS guidance that exceeded Needham's projections. Market data from InvestingPro indicates 15 analysts have moved their upcoming-period earnings estimates higher. At the same time, the stock trades at a relatively rich price-to-earnings multiple of 86.5.
Needham highlights margin upside as a core rationale for the higher target. Management expects gross margin expansion through the year as the company executes its "Fab right" strategy, building on a current gross profit margin of 40.3%.
Operational indicators are expected to improve over 2026. Factory utilization is projected to climb into the low-70% range in the first quarter of 2026 and to the mid-70% range in the second and third quarters. The company reported that visibility into demand and operations has improved relative to 90 days prior, and its first-quarter 2026 guidance lines up with typical seasonality.
ON Semiconductor plans to shed about $300 million of non-core revenue across 2026, with approximately $50 million of those exits occurring in the first quarter. Management noted that, absent these planned exits, the company’s first-quarter guidance would have been above seasonal norms. External data cited by analysts suggests a 15% revenue decline for fiscal 2025.
On the product front, ON Semiconductor expects to sample 30 new gallium nitride (GaN) devices in 2026 across voltage ratings from 40V to 1,200V. The company intends these GaN devices for applications including AI data centers, electric vehicles, renewables, aerospace and defense, and security. Revenue from the GaN portfolio is expected to begin flowing in 2026 and continue into 2027.
Despite near-term revenue headwinds, the firm retains a strong liquidity posture. The company reported a current ratio of 5.23 and operates with a moderate level of debt, supporting flexibility during the strategic transition.
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Recent quarterly results offer additional context. ON Semiconductor reported fourth-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $0.64, modestly above the $0.62 consensus forecast, representing a 3.23% positive surprise. Revenue for the quarter was $1.53 billion, consistent with market expectations.
Other analyst activity has followed the company's results. Jefferies raised its price target to $73 from $65 while keeping a Buy rating. The firm pointed to strong growth in AI data center demand, which represents roughly 7% of ON Semiconductor's revenue, as a supportive factor. Jefferies noted that this AI-related growth helps offset the near-term impact of the company's exit from non-core businesses and variability in the industrial end market.
Collectively, the developments reflect focused analyst interest in ON Semiconductor's margin trajectory, product roadmap — especially GaN devices — and the company's efforts to re-shape its revenue base. Investors and market participants will likely watch upcoming quarters for evidence that utilization, margin expansion, and early GaN revenue gains are progressing as management has outlined.