GARCHING (dpa-AFX) - Semiconductor industry supplier Süss Microtec expects a surprisingly high level of revenue in the current year thanks to a record high order backlog. Sales are expected to rise to between 340 and 370 million euros, as the SDax-listed company announced in Garching on Wednesday. Analysts had previously expected an average of only 345 million euros after the previous year's figure of 304 million euros in continuing operations. According to CEO Burkhardt Frick, the so-called bonder business, which has recently been strong in terms of orders, is expected to drive growth in particular. This is benefiting from the strong capacity expansion in the industry for the production of chips for artificial intelligence (AI).

The Management Board is targeting an operating profit margin before interest and taxes of 10 to 12 percent this year, compared to 9.1 percent in the previous year. Experts had predicted a figure in the upper half of this range. The dividend is expected to remain high at 20 cents per share. After the decline in profits last year, experts had expected a lower payout. Süss Microtec had already presented key data on sales and profits at the end of February./men/jha/