Super Micro Computer (SMCI, Financial) is back in the spotlight—and not in a way investors want. Shares nosedived more than 8% on Tuesday as whispers grew louder about its possible ousting from the Nasdaq 100 index. Bloomberg Intelligence has its bets placed on replacements like Palantir (PLTR) and MicroStrategy (MSTR, Financial) stepping in to fill the gap. Meanwhile, CEO Charles Liang is holding his ground, confidently assuring at the Reuters NEXT conference that Super Micro will meet its February 25 deadline to file delayed financials, dodging Nasdaq delisting.
This comes after a brutal October, where a surprise resignation from Ernst & Young sent the stock into freefall, erasing over half its value in a week. Since then, the company has hustled to steady the ship—bringing in BDO as its new auditor, launching an internal review that cleared misconduct allegations, and laying out a roadmap to stay compliant. Investors are watching closely, but the stock, while up from its $18 low, is still leagues away from its $109 peak back in March. Translation: the market's cautious optimism is just that—cautious.
And then there's the ticking clock on the Nasdaq 100. The official list of additions and deletions drops December 13, and Super Micro looks like it's on the chopping block alongside Moderna (MRNA, Financial) and others. In their place? Heavy hitters like Axon (AXON, Financial) and Equinix (EQIX, Financial). For investors, this isn't just a game of musical chairs—it's a critical moment to decide whether Super Micro has the resilience to climb back into the big leagues or whether this chapter closes with an index exit. Buckle up—it's going to be a ride.
