We shipped $3.1 billion of AI servers in Q2. As we exited the quarter, our AI server backlog remains healthy at $3.8 billion. Most exciting, our AI server pipeline expanded across both Tier-2 CSPs and enterprise customers again in Q2, and now has grown to several multiples of our backlog.
— Jeff Clarke
03Detailed Report
DELL
Company DELL
Period
Q2 2025
CurrencyUSD
Report TypeQuarterly Earnings
GeneratedMay 29, 2026
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Executive Summary
- Dell reported a solid Q2 FY2025, with total revenue of $25.0 billion, up 9% year over year, led by a robust AI server cycle and continued strength in traditional infrastructure. ISG revenue surged to a record $11.6 billion (+38% YoY), with server and networking revenue up 80% to $7.7 billion, underscoring the accelerated demand for AI-enabled infrastructure. AI server shipments reached $3.1 billion in the quarter, with AI server backlog of $3.8 billion; the five-quarter pipeline has grown to multiple times the backlog, signaling a durable demand runway for AI deployments across Tier-2 CSPs and enterprise customers.
- Dell guided FY25 revenue to $95.5–$98.5 billion (midpoint $97.0B), implying about 10% growth, with ISG ~30% growth and CSG flat to low single digits for the year. Management emphasized margin progression in the second half, noting a gross margin decline of ~180 basis points year over year due to higher AI server mix and pricing competition, but ISG operating margin was up to 11% (a 300 bp sequential gain) and expected to improve further toward the lower-to-mid-teens range in its long-term framework. The company also announced a $328 million workforce-reduction charge as part of ongoing efficiency initiatives tied to AI-driven process improvements.
- The AI opportunity remains a cornerstone of Dell’s strategy, with a total AI hardware and services TAM of $174 billion (up from $152B, 22% CAGR). Dell highlighted an expanding AI pipeline into enterprise and sovereign opportunities, ongoing AI-enabled storage improvements, and ecosystem partnerships (e.g., storage and hyperconverged offerings). While VMware’s resale exit weighed on gross margin and ongoing portfolio mix, Dell positioned itself to capitalize on AI-driven demand and the PC refresh cycle, anticipating margin expansion and free cash flow generation in the latter part of FY25 and beyond.
Key Performance Indicators
Revenue
Increasing
25.03B
QoQ: 12.51% | YoY: 12.47%
Gross Profit
Increasing
5.31B
21.22% margin
QoQ: 10.51% | YoY: 3.17%
Operating Income
Decreasing
1.34B
QoQ: 45.87% | YoY: -9.69%
Net Income
Decreasing
846.00M
QoQ: -11.88% | YoY: -15.90%
EPS
Decreasing
1.19
QoQ: -12.50% | YoY: -14.39%
Revenue Trend
Margin Analysis
Financial Highlights
- Revenue: $25.026B in Q2 FY2025, up 9% YoY; QoQ growth ~12.5% (Q1’FY25 was $22.244B).
- Gross Profit: $5.311B; gross margin 21.8% (down ~230 bps YoY due to AI server mix and pricing environment).
- Operating Income: $2.142B; operating margin 8.1% (up ~300 bps QoQ; benefited from higher revenue and favorable mix, offset by margin headwinds in the VMware-exit period).
- Net Income: $0.846B; net income margin 3.38% (YoY and QoQ declines reflect non-operating items and the VMware-related mix; management cited non-GAAP adjustments on the call).
- Diluted EPS (GAAP): $1.17; Earnings per share (reported) $1.19. Non-GAAP diluted EPS guided for Q3: $2.00 ± $0.10; FY25 target: $7.80 ± $0.25 (midpoint $7.80, up ~9%).
- Cash Flow: CFO $1.34B; capex $0.682B; free cash flow $0.658B; cash at period end about $4.57B; net debt ~ $19.97B after debt paydown of $1.0B and capital returns of $1.0B in the quarter.
- Backlog & Pipeline: AI server backlog $3.8B; AI server shipments $3.1B in Q2; five-quarter pipeline is a multiple of backlog and shows durable demand from Tier-2 CSPs and enterprise customers.
- Segment Highlights: ISG revenue $11.6B (+38% YoY; server & networking $7.7B, +80%); storage $4.0B (-5% YoY); CSG revenue $12.4B (-4% YoY); DFS originations $2.4B (+5%).
- Guidance Highlights: FY25 revenue guidance $95.5–$98.5B (midpoint $97.0B); ISG growth ~30%; CSG flat to up low-single digits; ISG+CSG combined growth ~13%. FY25 gross margin to decline ~180 bps; operating expenses down low-single digits; Q3 revenue guide $24.0–$25.0B (midpoint $24.5B); Q3 Diluted non-GAAP EPS ~ $2.00 ± $0.10.
Income Statement
Metric
Value
YoY Change
QoQ Change
Revenue
25.03B
12.47%
12.51%
Gross Profit
5.31B
3.17%
10.51%
Operating Income
1.34B
-9.69%
45.87%
Net Income
846.00M
-15.90%
-11.88%
EPS
1.19
-14.39%
-12.50%
Key Financial Ratios
Gross Profit Margin
Fair
21.20%
Gross profit margin is moderate, room for improvement in cost management
Operating Profit Margin
Fair
5.36%
Operating margin is moderate, room for improvement in cost management
Net Profit Margin
Fair
3.38%
Net profit margin is moderate, room for improvement in cost management
Return on Assets
Weak
1.02%
Return on assets suggests inefficient capital allocation
Return on Equity
Weak
-0.29%
Return on equity suggests inefficient capital allocation
Current Ratio
Concern
0.72
Current ratio below safe levels, potential liquidity risk
Debt to Equity
Conservative
-8.47
Debt-to-equity shows conservative leverage and low financial risk
P/E Ratio
Fair Value
21.40x
P/E ratio in line with market averages
Price to Book
Undervalued
-25.02x
Trading below book value, potential value opportunity or distressed
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