Free cash flow
Semtech Free cash flow decreased by 52.6% to $28.01M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 7.0%, from $26.17M to $28.01M. Over 3 years (FY 2022 to FY 2026), Free cash flow shows relatively stable performance with a -1.1% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 | Q3 '26 | Q4 '26 | Q1 '27 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $26.83M | $46.04M | $61.19M | $42.89M | $41.74M | $70.01M | $11.12M | -$103.96M | -$18.93M | -$12.42M | $0.00 | -$1.42M | -$8.41M | $29.09M | $30.86M | $26.17M | $41.51M | $44.64M | $59.06M | $28.01M |
| QoQ Change | — | +71.6% | +32.9% | -29.9% | -2.7% | +67.7% | -84.1% | <-999% | +81.8% | +34.4% | +100.0% | — | -490.7% | +446.1% | +6.1% | -15.2% | +58.6% | +7.5% | +32.3% | -52.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +55.6% | +52.1% | -81.8% | -349.1% | -127.0% | -211.7% | — | +98.6% | +55.6% | +334.2% | — | >999% | +593.8% | +53.5% | +91.4% | +7.0% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Semtech's free cash flow?
- Semtech (SMTC) reported free cash flow of $28.01M in Q1 2026.
- How has Semtech's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Semtech's free cash flow increased by 7.0% year-over-year, from $26.17M to $28.01M.
- What is the long-term trend for Semtech's free cash flow?
- Over 3 years (2022 to 2026), Semtech's free cash flow has grown at a -1.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $176.94M to $171.39M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.