GARCHING (dpa-AFX) - The semiconductor industry supplier Süss Microtec has made a leap forward at the start of the year. Sales increased by 46 percent to around 93.5 million euros compared to the same period last year, as the SDax-listed company announced in Garching on Thursday on the basis of preliminary figures. Thanks in part to price increases, the Group was significantly more profitable: Süss Microtec generated 15.9 percent of sales before interest and taxes (EBIT) - ten percentage points more than in the same period last year. Incoming orders amounted to 98.3 million euros after just under 95 million in the previous year.

The Management Board confirmed the annual targets of sales of 340 to 370 million euros and an operating margin of 10 to 12 percent. The full figures will be presented on May 8.

Following the news, the share price climbed to a high since the year 2000, recently trading almost 4 percent higher./ngu/mis