Wolfspeed faced a significant challenge last month, with its share price plunging 58%. This remarkable decline can be linked to reaffirmed guidance projecting a GAAP net loss of $270 million to $295 million, indicating possible investor concerns about Wolfspeed’s financial health. Additionally, while the broader market faced modest declines amid escalating tariff concerns, which affected technology stocks in particular, Wolfspeed’s executive change announcements might have added an element of uncertainty. With Robert Feurle set to take over as CEO and board member, investor reactions appear cautious ahead of expected leadership shifts.
Over the past year, Wolfspeed’s total return was a significant decline of 91.22%, starkly underperforming the broader US Semiconductor industry’s modest growth of 2.5%. This downturn can be partly attributed to an array of challenges the company faced. The sharp increase in net loss, as evidenced by substantial losses reported in Q2 of fiscal 2025, highlighted financial pressures. Leadership changes also contributed, with Robert Feurle’s impending appointment as CEO marking a shift in company strategy.
Furthermore, product innovation continued with the launch of Gen 4 technology, aiming to enhance high-power applications. Financial restructuring, including a $200 million follow-on equity offering, sought to stabilize Wolfspeed amidst these challenges. Legal headwinds, including a class-action lawsuit concerning securities law violations, compounded investor concerns, further pressuring stock performance. As Wolfspeed navigates these multifaceted issues, the market’s response underscores a cautious outlook.