Following a decline in earnings and sales in the second quarter, chip equipment manufacturer Aixtron has lowered its forecast for the year.

Based on current market developments, the Management Board now expects sales of EUR 620 to 660 million, the MDax-listed company announced on Thursday evening. Previously, Aixtron had expected EUR 630 to 720 million. The gross margin is still expected to be between 43 and 45 percent. According to the new estimates, the EBIT margin should be between around 22 and 25 percent (previously 24 to 26 percent expected). According to preliminary figures, sales in the second quarter amounted to around 132 million euros after 173.5 million euros in the previous year. The preliminary operating result (EBIT) fell from 44.6 million euros to 13 million euros.

(written by Birgit Mittwollen. If you have any questions, please contact our editorial team at berlin.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for politics and the economy) or frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com (for companies and markets).)