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Hello my dears,
How do you classify the DZ-Bank report?
And is Aixtron with a P/E ratio of 19 and a PEG of +0.80 even a hidden AI pearl?
Profit growth of almost 30% at such a P/E ratio is rare.
In addition, there is a dividend yield which will rise to 2.65% by 2027.
(Dear all, I remain invested, so this is only my personal opinion and not investment advice)
Aixtron, a leading supplier of deposition equipment for semiconductors, is positioning itself as a key beneficiary of the rising demand for gallium nitride (GaN) chips. These energy-efficient semiconductors are on the verge of a breakthrough in data centers and will drive the GaN market significantly in the coming years. In particular, the strategic cooperation between Infineon and NVIDIA in the development of new power supply solutions for AI data centers should provide Aixtron with strong impetus in the medium term and establish the company as an indispensable partner in the digital transformation.
Technology leader in GaN production systems
Aixtron is the global leader in epitaxy systems. These are machines that are used to apply ultra-thin crystal layers to semiconductor substrates. A market share of around 90 % for epitaxy tools for GaN on silicon speaks for itself. Aixtron sets the pace in this specialty segment. The core products in the portfolio are the MOCVD systems ("Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition"), including systems such as the G10-GaN or the AIX G5+ C, which were developed specifically for the production of GaN-based power semiconductors. These systems make it possible to apply particularly uniform and high-performance GaN layers to wafers, which is a decisive step towards the mass production of efficient chips. The G10 GaN system is characterized in particular by its scalability, high productivity and reproducibility. According to Aixtron, the G10 GaN systems also enable higher production volumes at a lower cost per wafer, improve the energy efficiency of the components and allow a more uniform layer quality. These advantages are crucial to meet the high demands placed on components in modern AI data centers and power supply solutions.
The GaN market: explosive growth through energy efficiency
The global GaN market is poised for a period of explosive growth as GaN chips replace traditional silicon-based semiconductors in an increasing number of applications. This growth is fueled by several factors, including the increasing adoption of 5G technology, electric vehicles, renewable energy and, last but not least, the rapid expansion of data centers. The AI boom, with models requiring trillions of computing operations per second, is causing power consumption in data centers to explode. In data centers, where energy consumption is a key cost and environmental factor, GaN chips are on the verge of a breakthrough in board and rack-level architecture. Their properties, such as higher switching frequencies, lower energy losses during power conversion and significantly lower waste heat, make them the ideal choice for high-performance yet energy-efficient power supply solutions. These advantages not only lead to significant power savings in cooling, but also to more compact designs, which makes optimal use of the limited space in data centers. The transition to GaN-based power supplies in data centers is seen as a megatrend that will significantly shape the GaN market in the coming years and will directly benefit Aixtron as a supplier.
Infineon-NVIDIA cooperation makes Aixtron a future AI beneficiary
The recent collaboration between Infineon and NVIDIA in the area of next-generation power solutions for AI data centers represents a strategic milestone from which Aixtron should benefit significantly in the medium term. This partnership aims to dramatically improve energy efficiency in AI data centers. At the heart of this development is the expected use of GaN power semiconductors as the standard for high-voltage DC-DC converters. The transition to 800 V HVDC architecture, which Infineon and NVIDIA are planning, is a key enabler of this development. This new power supply is to be introduced on a larger scale from 2027, with the partners explicitly emphasizing the need for energy-efficient power distribution. This is where the advantages of GaN chips over conventional silicon semiconductors come into their own. GaN enables significantly higher switching frequencies and therefore less energy loss during current conversion. This leads to less waste heat, which in turn means massive power savings in data center cooling. As Aixtron supplies the necessary deposition equipment for the production of these high-performance GaN chips, the company is directly involved in the value chain of this pioneering technology. Any expansion of GaN production by Infineon or other semiconductor manufacturers inspired by this cooperation will generate direct demand for Aixtron equipment and secure the company a central role in the evolution of AI infrastructure.
2025 is a transition year. The next growth phase should start in 2026!
Aixtron is currently experiencing a cyclical weakness because, among other things, SiC chip manufacturers are investing less due to the slower transition to electric cars. Nevertheless, the company managed to increase incoming orders by 10% to EUR 132.2 million in the first quarter. The order backlog of EUR 307.9 million represents a solid basis for the annual targets, which include sales of EUR 530 to 600 million with an EBIT margin of 18 to 22%. "With the ability to now process 300mm GaN wafers ourselves in the innovation center, we can support our customers even better in the future transition to the next wafer size," says Aixtron. As a result, the company believes it is well positioned for the next growth phase, which should start in 2026. The P/E ratio26e of 14.4 is favorable for the start of a new upswing.
