NXP Semiconductors earnings: third quarter 2026

NXP Semiconductors, which makes chips mainly for cars and industrial machines, had a fast-growing third quarter of 2026. Sales rose about 19% from a year ago to $3,786 million, profit grew about twice as fast as sales, and cash poured in. For the fourth quarter the company expects sales of $3,750 million to $3,950 million, more growth at the middle of that range, though it does not say how this compares with what it expected before. ¹

Against what analysts expected

Whether the quarter came in above or below analysts' average forecast of $3.78 per share (seven estimates, Nasdaq's earnings calendar) depends on the measure: the standard figure of $3.48 is below it, while the company's own adjusted figure of $4.20 is above it. ¹²

The strong points

• Sales grew about 19% from a year ago, and rose 8% from the previous quarter alone, so demand for its chips is rising quickly. ¹
• Operating profit, the profit from running the business before interest and tax, rose about 37.5% in a year, roughly twice as fast as sales. ¹
• Free cash flow, the cash left after running the business and investing in it, rose to $1,206 million from $509 million a year ago. ¹

The weak points

• Part of the strong cash came from paying suppliers and others later, a $196 million boost that may not repeat. ¹
• The company says little about what lies ahead beyond one quarter: no full-year figures and no word on orders, prices or costs. ¹

What the company expects

• For the fourth quarter NXP expects sales of $3,750 million to $3,950 million, about 15% above a year earlier at the middle of the range, slower than the 19% just reported. ¹
• It expects adjusted earnings per share of $4.14 to $4.58, against $4.20 in the third quarter; on the standard basis, $3.36 to $3.79. ¹

Our verdict on the quarter

A strong report. Sales and profit grew fast, costs stayed in check and cash surged, and the company expects further growth next quarter, though it gives no full-year view and does not say how its outlook moved.

The results as published

• The results release itself
• The filing it came with (SEC)

Notes

1. NXP Semiconductors's results release, 27 October 2026: sec.gov. ↩
2. Nasdaq's earnings calendar, 27 October 2026. ↩