Advantest, a major semiconductor testing equipment manufacturer, substantially raised its full-year forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027. Sales, operating profit and net profit were all raised significantly against a backdrop of growing demand for high-performance semiconductors for AI, and the market rose sharply the following day.
Advantest, a major semiconductor testing equipment manufacturer, substantially raised its consolidated full-year forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027. The company cited demand for its core test systems, which is expanding faster than expected amid rapid growth in the market for high-performance AI semiconductors. Under the new forecast, revenue was raised from ¥1.714 trillion to ¥1.863 trillion, operating profit from ¥846 billion to ¥967 billion, and net profit from ¥660 billion to ¥741.5 billion.
The stock market reacted extremely strongly to the earnings and forecast revision. After the opening on 29 October, the share price surged to ¥37,030, up ¥2,100 from the previous day. The Nikkei Stock Average also rose sharply that day, helping drive its first gain in 3 sessions.
Against the backdrop of strong performance, the company indicated that it would expand its share buyback to as many as 11 million shares, totaling ¥280 billion, and announced an increase in the interim dividend from ¥29 to ¥49. Development of next-generation testing equipment, including responses to photonic-electronic convergence technology, is expected to be a medium- to long-term growth driver.