Kioxia (285A) investor relations material

Strategic direction and market outlook

• Focus on AI-driven demand, positioning flash memory as a core component for AI infrastructure, with inference workloads expected to surge from 2025 onward.

• Data center and enterprise segments targeted to exceed 60% of revenue by FY2028, with smartphone and PC segments maintained as a stable base.

• Anticipates robust NAND/flash memory market growth, with data center demand for AI inference driving a CAGR above 20% and up to 46% from 2025 to 2028.

• Supply-demand balance for NAND expected to remain tight through 2027, supporting upward price trends and market expansion.

• Strategic shift to multi-year LTAs with hyperscalers and enterprise customers to stabilize revenue and investment planning.

Technology and product innovation

• Accelerated R&D and CapEx, with annual CapEx averaging JPY 470 billion and R&D investment rising to JPY 230 billion annually, prioritizing high-growth sectors.

• Launch of 10th-generation BiCS FLASH, optimized for cost, power efficiency, and reliability, with sample shipments in summer and mass production targeted within a year.

• Comprehensive SSD portfolio: CM Series (high bandwidth), GP Series (ultra-low latency, high IOPS), and LC Series (ultra-high capacity up to 245TB), all tailored for next-gen AI workloads.

• Proprietary technologies like CBA and XL-FLASH deliver industry-leading performance and early adoption of high-speed interfaces (4.8 Gbps), with BiCS Gen.10 leveraging 332 layers.

• Ongoing development of advanced memory (OCTRAM, HCF), new SSD use cases for AI inference, and strategic consideration of M&A to expand beyond flash memory.

Financial strategy and capital allocation

• Operating profit margin and ROIC have sharply increased, with Q1 FY2026 OP margin guidance at 74% and ROIC expected to exceed 60%.

• Balance sheet strengthened, with net cash position targeted by end of Q1 FY2026 and equity ratio projected to rise to nearly 60%.

• Capital allocation prioritizes CapEx, R&D, and human capital, with excess free cash flow returned to shareholders via progressive dividends starting FY2027.

• Shareholder return policy targets up to 50% of net cash flow, with flexibility for special dividends or buybacks depending on M&A activity and multi-year FCF.

• Disciplined investment approach, only funding projects exceeding hurdle rates, to sustain best-in-class capital efficiency and support sustainable growth.