Aixtron posts FY sales beat, but expects weak demand in 2026

By Ozan Ergenay

Feb 26 (Reuters) - German chip systems manufacturer Aixtron on Thursday reported a better-than-expected annual revenue, but expects the softness in overall customer demand to continue in 2026.

The company posted sales of 556.6 million euros ($657.8 million) for 2025, down 12% from 633.2 million euros a year earlier, but above analysts' average estimate of 545 million euros in a company-provided poll.

Aixtron said it expects full-year revenues of around 520 million euros plus or minus 30 million euros for 2026, compared with analysts' forecast of 532.5 million euros.

It also expects sales of around 65 million euros plus or minus 10 million euros for the first quarter, compared to 112.5 million euros a year earlier.

Analysts at Jefferies said the company's outlook for the start of the year is below consensus expectations of 111 million euros, but noted that the first-quarter typically was the lowest quarter for the business.

Shares in Aixtron, which are up 34.6% since the start of the year including today's session, fell around 5% in early trading.

The company, which supplies deposition equipment for chipmakers, said it will propose a dividend of 0.15 euros per dividend-bearing share for the year.

Elsewhere, giant chipmaker Nvidia posted higher than expected numbers for the January quarter on Wednesday, as investors, used to solid revenue beats from the world's most valuable company, however were likely disappointed by the uneventful results.

($1 = 0.8462 euros)

(Reporting by Ozan Ergenay in Gdansk, editing by Matt Scuffham)