Corsair Gaming Reports First Quarter 2022 Financial Results
Andy Paul, Chief Executive Officer of Corsair, stated, “While we faced headwinds in Q1, with inflation, the continued Russia and Ukraine conflict, and high freight costs, we continue to see positive underlying growth trends in the gaming hardware sector. During Q1, GPU cards, which are the most expensive item in a gaming PC, were still at a high premium, roughly 150% of MSRP, and even with this premium we saw gaming PC build activity slightly higher than pre-pandemic and pre-GPU shortage levels. Our components segment grew by 6% in Q1 2022 compared with Q1 2020, the last Q1 before the pandemic and shelter at home.
The surge of activity that we saw during the shelter at home period does not appear to have caused a pull forward in builds, more so an entrance of new gamers building for the first time. We expect that GPU cards will be back to MSRP in the near term, perhaps discounted below MSRP. We expect that with GPU and CPU products becoming available and reasonably priced, we will see a surge of self-built gaming PC activity in 2H22 and 2023. We see a similar positive trend with Peripherals.
While the market appears to be generally down some 15% to 25%, compared to last year’s peak, it is still substantially above pre-pandemic levels. We grew 77% from Q1 2020 to Q1 2022, and as we outlined in our investor day presentations, we think that the peripheral market will continue to drive 20% to 25% annual growth.
We also believe that with our expanding iCUE control software, and innovative new products pipeline, we will continue to take market share. Our latest market share data for Q1 from the United States and Europe, shows that we are in the #1 position in every major category of component that we offer that are used to build gaming PCs, and substantially ahead of our nearest competitors.”
Michael G. Potter, Chief Financial Officer of Corsair, said, “We expect that Q1 2022 was the peak of pandemic-related high freight cost and promotional headwinds, and that gross margins will improve in the second half of the year. We ended the quarter in a strong liquidity position with our entire revolver undrawn, leaving us in position to continue to pursue growth opportunities and to continue to invest in product development. We continue to be active in pursuing growth investments with iDisplay being the most recent example.”
Financial Outlook
For the full year 2022, we currently expect:
- Net revenue to be in the range of $1.6 billion to $1.8 billion.
- Adjusted operating income to be in the range of $100 million to $120 million.
- Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $110 million to $130 million.
Certain non-GAAP measures included in our financial outlook were not reconciled to the comparable GAAP financial measures because the GAAP measures are not accessible on a forward-looking basis. We are unable to reconcile these forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures without unreasonable efforts because we are currently unable to predict with a reasonable degree of certainty the type and extent of certain items that would be expected to impact GAAP measures for these periods but would not impact the non-GAAP measures. Such items may include stock-based compensation charges, depreciation and amortization, and other items. The unavailable information could have a significant impact on our GAAP financial results.
The foregoing forward-looking statements reflect our expectations as of today’s date. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed below, actual results may differ materially. We do not intend to update our financial outlook until our next quarterly results announcement.
Recent Developments
- Elgato announced the launch of HD60 X, a powerful new external capture card. Sporting state-of-the-art specs and seamless compatibility with the newest generation of game consoles, HD60 X equips anyone to stream and record their gameplay in the highest quality without limitations. You can then play high-fidelity games while livestreaming to Twitch or YouTube in Full HD 1080p60 quality, while simultaneously recording 1080p60 HDR10 footage to your hard drive. Instant Gameview technology syncs your broadcast with your gameplay, allowing you to monitor your capture feed with ultra-low latency.
- Corsair announced a partnership with world-renowned publisher 2K, bringing immersive in-game RGB lighting integration for all CORSAIR iCUE RGB devices to Gearbox Software’s highly anticipated Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. PC players with CORSAIR iCUE products can enjoy exclusive real-time lighting effects that extend the game’s action across their entire iCUE setup in the upcoming spinoff of the Borderlands franchise.
- Corsair announced the new CORSAIR iCUE 5000T RGB PC case. Boasting a unique contoured design in black or white and 208 individually addressable RGB LEDs, the 5000T RGB has the most integrated lighting ever built into a CORSAIR case. High-airflow mesh panels and room for up to two simultaneous 360 mm radiators for outstanding cooling ensure the 5000T RGB makes an immediate and lasting impression.
- Corsair unveiled the newest entry in the best-selling K70 series: the CORSAIR K70 RGB PRO Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. Uniting the acclaimed design and aluminium build of a full-size K70 with renowned CORSAIR RGB lighting and tournament-grade performance, the K70 RGB PRO sets a new standard for a full-size gaming keyboard. Available with a wide array of trusted CHERRY MX mechanical switches and loaded with features to help gamers get the most from their setup, anyone can find a K70 RGB PRO to fit their style of play.