INFICON raises full-year guidance as semiconductor demand drives record sales

Inficon Holding (SIX:IFCN) raised its full-year outlook on Tuesday, as strong demand for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and data-centre infrastructure continued to drive growth amid the ongoing artificial intelligence investment boom.

The Swiss instrumentation maker reported record third-quarter sales of $233.3 million, up 42.4% year on year, while operating income more than doubled to $59.5 million from $22.9 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose to $1.94 from $0.71.

INFICON raised its full-year 2026 sales forecast to between $820 million and $850 million, from its previous range of $750 million to $780 million. It now expects an operating income margin of 21% to 22%, compared with its earlier forecast of 19% to 20%, citing strong performance and the ongoing semiconductor upcycle.

Net income reached $47.4 million, equivalent to 20.3% of sales. Operating cash flow totalled $77.6 million, while cash and short-term investments rose to $220.5 million.

INFICON's Semiconductor and Vacuum Coating division remained its largest business, with sales surging 74.7% year on year to $135.4 million, accounting for 58% of group sales.

Demand was supported by broad-based strength across semiconductor markets, particularly leading-edge logic, high-bandwidth memory and data-centre infrastructure.

Geographically, sales in China climbed 71.7% year on year to $73.2 million, while sales across Asia-Pacific increased 49.8% to $65.4 million. Sales in the Americas rose 34.3% to $50.1 million, while Europe recorded growth of 10.8% to $43.4 million.

Order intake exceeded the previous quarter's record, with the book-to-bill ratio remaining well above 1, indicating continued strength in demand.

INFICON said it was increasing production capacity to meet customer requirements, while warning that supply-chain disruptions and rising logistics and material costs remained risks to its outlook.