MaxLinear (NASDAQ:MXL) shares plunged more than 4% on Thursday after the company reported better-than-expected Q4 results but guided Q1 revenues/EPS well below expectations (est. revenue decline of 14% quarter-over-quarter at the midpoint, implying EPS of $0.70).

Q4 EPS came in at $1.07, slightly better than the Street estimate of $1.06. Revenue was $290.6 million, compared to the Street estimate of $290.04 million.

The company’s 2023 outlook retains much of the conservatism highlighted in their Q3/22 call, with any growth expected to be weighted toward late 2023/2024 in their Connectivity (Wi-Fi still optimistically expected to reach $200 million in revenues) and Infrastructure (expected to benefit from easing substrate supply constraints) segments.

These growth vectors, coupled with the company's vigilant OPEX management (expected to fall quarter-over-quarter post-Q1/23) should partially insulate the company from the expected industry slowdown.