AMD's rise continues, but CEO Lisa Su says there's more work ahead

[midian182]

In context: What Lisa Su has achieved since taking over as AMD CEO in 2014 cannot be understated, from chipping away at Intel’s once-dominant position as market leader in the consumer CPU space to increasing the company’s value from $2 billion to $90 billion. But the boss insists now isn’t the time to sit back and admire her work.

AMD’s processors had long been considered the lesser alternative to Intel’s CPUs, but that started changing with the launch of its Ryzen series in 2017. Team red keeps eroding its rival’s market share, as seen in numerous reports, Amazon’s top-selling CPU lists, and Steam surveys. In the latter case, AMD is expected to pass the 30% user share milestone this month.

Su’s work has not gone unnoticed. AMD’s 90% stock price rise two years ago put her on Bloomberg’s 50 “people who defined 2019” list. The same year saw Su take the title of the first woman to become the highest-paid CEO at an S&P 500 company after her total compensation reached $58.5 million.

Amazon's latest top-selling CPU chart. Notice a pattern?

Illustrating AMD’s new financial clout was yesterday’s unveiling of a $4 billion stock-repurchase plan, its first buy-back since 2001. But Su said the company is not about to rest on its laurels. “Without a doubt it does not get easier,” the CEO said in an interview with Bloomberg. “We’re in a very competitive market. We have big ambitions about what we want to be able to do.”

Su also addressed the global chip shortage that’s been the bane of consumers' lives for so many months. While we’ve heard the problems could last well into 2022, Su is more optimistic, defining them as "not a disaster – these are just another example of the periodic imbalances between supply and demand in the semiconductor market," writes Bloomberg. She added that the situation does mean customers are now open to longer-term commitments, which is a bonus.

"Normally everybody sort of plans their worlds separately, and now we’re really having to plan our worlds together," Su said.

The good news for those still clamoring for a new Ryzen 5000-series CPU is that Su believes supply of the TSMC-built chips will improve later this year.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/89755-amd-rise-continues-but-ceo-lisa-su-there.html

 

[hahahanoobs]

"Su believes supply of the TSMC-built chips will improve later this year."

Ryzen 5000 series supply is better than great in Canada minus the 5950X, with one major etailer only having 7 for the whole country.

Where is supply worse than this?

 

[QuantumPhysics]

At $77 the stock is undervalued. I was telling people to get in a long time ago and we're all up, but I think there's plenty of gains to be made once the silicon shortage ends.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Apparently they're going to announce 5000 series Threadrippers on June 1 - for an August release... if true, I'm VERY interested.

 

[wiyosaya]

At least Su recognizes that peddling piddling performance increases generation after generation like the sIntel business model will not get AMD anywhere.

AMD could not be on a better path, IMO. Keep em' coming AMD. Your competition is bringing sIntel hubris to naught.

Apparently they're going to announce 5000 series Threadrippers on June 1 - for an August release... if true, I'm VERY interested.

Unfortunately, like the previous generation, my bet is that they prices on the next gen TRs will be similarly astronomical.

 

[Squid Surprise]

At least Su recognizes that peddling piddling performance increases generation after generation like the sIntel business model will not get AMD anywhere.

AMD could not be on a better path, IMO. Keep em' coming AMD. Your competition is bringing sIntel hubris to naught.


Unfortunately, like the previous generation, my bet is that they prices on the next gen TRs will be similarly astronomical.

Yeah.... I'd be shocked if prices were anything but higher... I want to know if the 5990 still has 64 cores.... or if they're jumping to 128.... I'm assuming 64, but one can always hope.

 

[RedBlu]

I'm always cautious whenever I see companies issuing buybacks rather than invest in their processes.

 

[sickb0y]

"The CEO believes the chip shortage will improve this year" yeah for the miners while the rest of us that need one for a new build or upgrade get the middle finger.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

So Taiwan is in the middle of a crippling drought, chip plants are on even tighter water restrictions, new plants won't come online for another 2-3 years, the automotive industry demand for chips is exploding, and Lisa thinks things will magically turn around in less than 7 months.

 

[Wrinkle]

At least Su recognizes that peddling piddling performance increases generation after generation like the sIntel business model will not get AMD anywhere.

AMD could not be on a better path, IMO. Keep em' coming AMD. Your competition is bringing sIntel hubris to naught.


Unfortunately, like the previous generation, my bet is that they prices on the next gen TRs will be similarly astronomical.

Calling Intel sIntel makes you look childish.

AMD has to be cautious. ARM is steadily on the rise, Nvidia is branching out and Intel is still very much alive and kicking.

If AMD would rest on their laurels today their fairytale could be over within 2 years.

 

[Arbie]

Su's achievements "cannot be understated?".

Don't ask for an interview.

 

[flee2020]

I'm always cautious whenever I see companies issuing buybacks rather than invest in their processes.

Look what share buybacks did to Boeing and Intel! When a company starts looking after its shareholders more than its customers, I see a red flag. Share buybacks are recommended by consultants because they can earn fat consultancy fees from that.

AMD was brought to its knees by their previous CEOs and were forced to sell their fabs to survive. In light of the current production difficulties, the least AMD could do was to invest in building modern new fabs (outside Taiwan and mainland China) to mitigate future supply risks. That may not improve their share price now but it may prove invaluable in the future. It is certainly better than doing share buybacks.

 

[Uncle Al]

Look what share buybacks did to Boeing and Intel! When a company starts looking after its shareholders more than its customers, I see a red flag. Share buybacks are recommended by consultants because they can earn fat consultancy fees from that.

AMD was brought to its knees by their previous CEOs and were forced to sell their fabs to survive. In light of the current production difficulties, the least AMD could do was to invest in building modern new fabs (outside Taiwan and mainland China) to mitigate future supply risks. That may not improve their share price now but it may prove invaluable in the future. It is certainly better than doing share buybacks.

It's a good point and with the recent announcement that there are at least 4 new Fab's currently in design/construction right here in the US you would think they would be on that band wagon too ..... I won't be surprised to see China take a bit of a hit in this department in the next few years, but not for lack of techno-achievements ... they have a looming issue with retiree's and a lot more of their money will be going to maintaining those ageing folks .....

 

[captaincranky]

What Lisa Su has achieved since taking over as AMD CEO in 2014 cannot be understated, from chipping away at Intel’s once-dominant position as market leader in the consumer CPU space to increasing the company’s value from $2 billion to $90 billion.

Legend has it that after the attack on pearl harbor, a Japanese admiral, (or was it a general ?), said, "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant". Which is something Ms Su should keep in mind, is case Intel ever gets its sh!t together..

Besides, I don't think she deserves the lioness's share of the credit for AMD's resurrection, that goes to TSMC..!