AIXTRON did the positive business performance in H1/2010 due to the continuing healthy demand, beneficial volume effects, and a stronger US Dollar.

Firstly, compared to H1/2009, the gross margin in H1/2010 was 10 percentage points higher at 53%. The H1/2010 operating result increased year on year by 769% to EUR 106.9m with a 19 percentage points higher EBIT margin of 31%, leading to a net result of EUR 74.1m or 21% return on sales. The H1/2010 net income was 742% up year on year.

Secondly, Q2/2010 revenues increased by 24% over the first quarter from EUR 154.5m to EUR 191.8m,thanks to the support of ongoing high system demand, the promotion of High Brightness LED backlighting and lighting applications, and the influence of the stronger US Dollar.

The quarterly gross margin significantly improved sequentially by 5 percentage points from 50% in Q1/2010 to 55% in Q2/2010.

Thirdly,despite some offsetting effects on operating margin from currency hedging and translation expenses, the operating result sequentially increased by 31% to EUR 60.6m in Q2/2010 to result in an EBIT margin of 32%. The net income improved by 33% over Q1/2010 from EUR 31.8m to EUR 42.3m or 22% of sales.

In line with Management expectations; equipment orders continued to be recorded on a very high level (Q1/2010 EUR 168.5m; Q2/2010 EUR 175.4m) continuing the strong demand trend previously predicted. Approximately 8% of the LED system orders recorded in H1/2010 were for their new generation systems, launched in Q1/2010.