Semiconductor parts maker Aixtron sees further sales growth after Q4 beat

(Reuters) – German chipmaking instruments producer Aixtron on Thursday forecast additional income development for 2024, pushed by rising in demand for its new merchandise used within the manufacturing of compound semiconductors.

The corporate, which provides deposition gear for chipmakers, sees 2024 income in a spread of 630 million to 720 million euros ($683 million to $780 million).

Its income grew 36% to 629.9 million euros final yr.

The corporate – whose end-markets embody e-mobility, renewable energies, and infrastructure comparable to information facilities – additionally forecast an working revenue margin of 24% to 26% and a gross margin of 43% to 45% for the present yr.

Its fourth-quarter income beat market expectations at 214.2 million euros, boosted by continued excessive demand for its environment friendly energy electronics primarily based on gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) applied sciences.

Analysts had been anticipating quarterly income of 207.6 million euros, a company-compiled ballot confirmed.

Aixtron final September launched its new G10-GaN expertise, which it mentioned will cut back manufacturing prices greater than 25% per wafer in contrast with earlier merchandise.

It mentioned in October this expertise ought to deliver in additional than half of the group’s GaN income in 2024.

For the primary quarter, income is predicted in vary of 100 million to 120 million euros, the corporate mentioned on Thursday.

Aixtron reported a 23% rise in fourth-quarter web revenue to 61.7 million euros, barely above expectations of 59.6 million.

Different semiconductor gear suppliers together with Dutch-based ASML, BE Semiconductor and ASM Worldwide have additionally reported upbeat quarterly outcomes as chipmakers develop their capability to satisfy rising demand.

Aixtron proposed a dividend of 0.40 euro per share for 2023, a 29% enhance in comparison with the earlier yr.

($1 = 0.9230 euros)

(Reporting by Mateusz Dobrzyniewski and Amir Orusov in Gdansk; enhancing by Milla Nissi)