German equipment manufacturer AIXTRON posted its 2018 financial results. The company reported increased on-year revenue and gross margin due to continued demand for its MOCVD systems for lasers, red-orange-yellow (ROY) LEDs and specialty LEDs production.

According to AIXTRON, its order intake in 2018 grew by 15% YoY to EUR 302.5 million (US$ 344.26 million), which led to a yearly revenue of EUR 268.8 million (US$ 306 million), up by 17% YoY. Adjusted for previous year's sales from discontinued operations, the sales increased by 40% compared to the previous year. Gross profit improved to EUR 117.6 million (US$ 133.93 million) growing by 59% YoY and gross margin hiked from 32% in 2017 to 44% in 2018.

MOCVD systems for the manufacture of optoelectronic components accounted for two-third of the company’s sales, followed by systems for LED production (including red-orange-yellow and specialty LEDs) and power electronics, taking 16% and 8% respectively.

The company exceeded its targets in 2018 with its profitable operating performance boosted by the market demands for VCSEL and ROY LED.

For 2019, AIXTRON expects that its growth might slow down as its customers are reluctant to make investment decision due to global trade conflicts and political uncertainties. In the long run, the company still sees market momentum pushed by laser applications in 3D sensing technology or optical data transmission.

Dr. Bernd Schulte, President of AIXTRON SE, said, "2018 was an excellent year for AIXTRON. We are pleased that we not only achieved the planned positive result from operating activities, but even slightly exceeded our forecast. However, we are looking more cautiously into 2019 as we are currently experiencing a certain reluctance on the part of our customers to invest in optoelectronics. The sustainably profitable development shows that we have done our homework thoroughly in the realignment of the company."