Q1/2014 EBIT at EUR 10.9m and net result at EUR 11.8m were both significantly up year-on-year by 86% and 84% respectively. This development was mainly due to inventory write-downs and restructuring charges included in the previous years’ figures, but also reflects a reduction in operating costs.
AIXTRON's order intake in Q1/2014 improved by 26% year-on-year to EUR 37.7m. Sequentially, orders remained stable reflecting a slightly more positive market sentiment (Q1/2013: EUR 29.9m; Q4/2013: EUR 37.1m).
Management Review
Martin Goetzeler, President & Chief Executive Officer of AIXTRON SE (ISIN DE000A0WMPJ6, DE000A1YDC08, DE000A1YDC08), comments on the business environment in the first quarter:
"We do sense that sentiment among customers is improving as the growth in the LED market drives the customers’ profitability. According to leading market research firms, the LED market demand will continue to grow. This positive outlook in combination with our new MOCVD tool to be launched in the second half of this year underlines our confidence in our future development.”
Mr. Goetzeler continued, by reiterating the importance of consistent R&D investments: “Independent of current market developments, we continue to maintain a strong focus on R&D, providing for a competitive technology portfolio and supporting future business development. We will continue to monitor these investments very closely – in line with our ongoing focus on cost management and the improvement of processes which are amongst others central elements of our 5-Point-Program .”
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