Circuit Board Maker Jabil Stock Soars on Strong Results, Buyback

Key Takeaways

• Jabil beat fourth-quarter profit and sales estimates on the soaring demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure products.
• The Apple supplier approved a $1 billion share repurchase.
• Jabil also announced a restructuring, including layoffs, which will cost $150 million to $200 million in fiscal 2025.

Jabil (JBL) shares soared Thursday after the circuit board manufacturer posted better-than-expected results on artificial intelligence (AI) demand, authorized a stock buyback program, and launched a restructuring that includes job cuts.

The company, which supplies Apple (AAPL), reported fourth-quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $2.30, ahead of consensus forecasts of analysts polled by Visible Alpha. Revenue fell 17.7% year-over-year to $6.96 billion, reflecting the loss from the divestiture of its Mobility division last December, but that still beat estimates.

CEO Says Jabil ‘Well-Positioned To Capitalize on Secular Trends’

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Dastoor noted that during its fiscal year, along with the Mobility sale, Jabil saw growth in the AI datacenter sector while dealing with softness in multiple end-markets. He added that while short-term demand remains challenged in certain end-markets, “we are confident that in the mid-to-long term, we are well-positioned to capitalize on secular trends.”

Jabil’s board also approved a $1 billion share repurchase plan. 

Along with the earnings news, the company announced a restructuring plan “to align our support infrastructure to further optimize organizational effectiveness.” It explained that would entail layoffs across the selling, general and administrative (SG&A) and manufacturing cost base, and capacity realignment. Jabil explained that it expects to take a $150 million to $200 million charge in fiscal 2025 to implement the changes.

Despite Thursday afternoon’s nearly 12% gains to $126.85, shares of Jabil remain slightly lower year-to-date.

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