Aixtron stock: AI demand drives orders and 2027 optimism

AIXTRON reported a sharp increase in third-quarter orders on Thursday, October 29, as demand for equipment used in AI data-center communications strengthened. The company said in its EQS News release that third-quarter order intake rose 122% year on year to 274.9 million euros, compared with 124.0 million euros a year earlier.

Orders point to AI infrastructure

Optoelectronics accounted for approximately 68% of equipment orders, with demand focused on indium-phosphide-based optical components for high-speed data transmission. Power electronics represented 24% of equipment orders. AIXTRON said the expansion of AI data-center networks remains the key structural driver for optical interconnects.

Equipment order backlog stood at 549.4 million euros at September 30, up from 286.5 million euros a year earlier. The backlog gives the company revenue visibility well into 2027. Chief Executive Felix Grawert said the combination of strong optical-connectivity demand and improving activity in gallium nitride and silicon carbide reinforces the expectation of a strong growth year in 2027.

Profitability improves sharply

Third-quarter revenue rose 54% year on year to 183.6 million euros and remained within the company's quarterly range of 180 million euros plus or minus 20 million euros. Gross profit increased 88% to 87.3 million euros, lifting the gross margin to 48% from 39% a year earlier. EBIT climbed to 56.7 million euros from 15.4 million euros, while the EBIT margin widened to 31% from 13%.

For the first nine months, revenue declined 3% to 358.1 million euros, but order intake increased 76% to 660.9 million euros. Free cash flow reached 289.9 million euros, up from 110.3 million euros a year earlier, with customer advance payments supporting the production ramp.

Guidance remains unchanged

AIXTRON confirmed its 2026 revenue target of 560 million euros plus or minus 30 million euros. The company expects a gross margin of about 42% and an EBIT margin between 17% and 20%. Management expects order intake to remain at a high level or increase further in coming quarters, supported by optoelectronics and a growing contribution from power electronics. Formal 2027 guidance is scheduled with the full-year results on March 4, 2027.

The real-time quote of Aixtron stock was 33.31 euros at Lang & Schwarz on Friday, October 30, 2026, at 09:12 Berlin time, 2.43% below the Xetra close of Thursday, October 29, at 34.14 euros. The Xetra close had risen 8.48% on Thursday, according to FinanzNachrichten.de.

The S&P 500 remains a broad reference point for US equities as investors assess the pace of AI infrastructure spending.

Further news and analyses on Aixtron stock will track order momentum, the production ramp and the company's next outlook update.