FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Aixtron shares were among the best performers in the MDax and the European technology sector on Tuesday, rising 3.7 percent to 34.02 euros. Above Friday's high of 34.35 euros, they would continue their strong recovery rally of around 33 percent to date.

Analyst Olivia Honychurch from investment house Jefferies called Aixtron a "top pick in the European semiconductor sector for 2024". At EUR 52, her price target is at a level last reached in 2001. Unlike some pessimists, it expects the silicon carbide (SiC) business to grow by 20 percent in 2024 thanks to many orders from new customers. Honychurch also believes that the gallium nitride (GaN) sector is underestimated./ag/mis