• First-quarter revenue came in at $137.2 million, up 43%, while adjusted EPS stood at $0.22, beating Street estimates.
• The company expects second-quarter revenue in the $160 million to $170 million range.
• The optical data center business is expected to generate $150 million to $170 million in revenue this year.

Shares of MaxLinear, Inc. (MXL) are on track to hit a near four-year high and for its best day ever on Friday after the semiconductor and circuitry company reported blowout first-quarter (Q1) results, driven by soaring demand for its optical products that are crucial to a data center’s infrastructure.

During an earnings call with analysts, CEO Kishore Seendripu highlighted that its infrastructure segment is now the largest revenue category, more than doubling year over year in the first quarter. Seendripu credited the explosive growth to robust production ramps in optical data center-oriented platforms. 

“We see this momentum continuing to build as hyperscale customers rapidly scale AI-centric architectures,” Seendripu told analysts on the call.

He also noted that MaxLinear is at a “clear inflection point” in its optical data center business and expects 2026 revenue from that specifically to be in the $150 million to $170 million range. Meanwhile, the company is well-positioned for continued growth and profitability this year and beyond.

Q1 Results Surpass Street Estimates

First-quarter revenue came in at $137.2 million, up 43% from last year, ahead of the $134.6 million estimate polled by Fiscal AI. Earnings per share on an adjusted basis were $0.22, topping expectations by $0.04.

It guided revenue for the current quarter to $160 million to $170 million, well above the $137.1 million estimate.

The company also increased its borrowing capacity and extended the maturity of its credit facility with Wells Fargo to $130 million from $100 million, while noting that it has not yet drawn anything from it.

How Did Retail Traders React?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment about the stock remained ‘extremely bullish,’ amid a 450% spike in messaging volumes over the last 24 hours.

One user on the platform commended the company’s guidance. 

Another user expects 2026 to be a “good year” for the company 

Needham turned bullish on the stock with a ‘Buy’ rating from ‘Neutral’ on expectations of further upside as MaxLinear “re-rates as a data center infrastructure play." 

Roth Capital upgraded the stock to ‘Buy’ from ‘Neutral,’ saying the company is “positioned for multi-quarter optical product growth.”

Both firms have a price target of $60, implying upside potential of over 77% as of Thursday's close.

MXL stock has nearly doubled in value so far this year and more than tripled over the past 12 months.

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