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The second quarter was marked by a combination of developments. Demand for X-FAB’s 200mm CMOS technologies remained on the high side and the allocation of available capacities continued. In particular, the continued ramp of X-FAB’s popular 180nm automotive technology at X-FAB France contributed to automotive growth in the second quarter with revenues amounting to USD 142.4 million, up 9% year-on-year. X-FAB’s second quarter CMOS business totaled USD 166.2 million, down 8% compared to the same quarter last year. The decline reflects the demand weakness for X-FAB’s 150mm CMOS technologies following expected inventory corrections in the industrial end-markets.

As anticipated, SiC revenue for the second quarter declined by 33% year-on-year to USD 11.6 million after low bookings in the first quarter. The current weakness is projected to bottom out in the third quarter. Based on customer feedback, a recovery is anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter, with a return to robust growth expected in 2025.

Both, the weakness in 150mm CMOS as well as silicon carbide had an impact on X-FAB’s industrial business, which recorded second quarter revenues of USD 34.4 million, down 33% year-on-year. Order intake for X‑FAB’s 150mm CMOS technologies however started to recover in the second quarter and will be contributing positively to the revenue evolution in the fourth quarter.

X-FAB’s microsystems business recorded revenues of USD 25.1 million in the second quarter, with a strong growth of 21% year-on-year. This was mainly driven by the ramp of a next-generation automotive headlamp application.

Medical revenues came in at USD 13.2 million, down 18% year-on-year. Apart from normal fluctuations, the decline is a temporary effect related to the need to allocate capacity. Going forward, medical revenue is expected to return to solid growth based on new design wins, high-demand applications as well as strong medical bookings in the second quarter.

Overall, X-FAB recorded strong quarterly bookings amounting to USD 248.4 million, up 12% year-on-year. This reflects the robust demand for X-FAB’s 200mm CMOS and microsystems technologies as well as the uptick in 150mm CMOS order intake, the latter primarily related to the industrial and medical end market. Backlog at the end of the second quarter came in at USD 517.3 million, compared to USD 520.9 million at the end of the previous quarter.

Quarterly prototyping revenues totaled USD 21.1 million*, down 24% year-on-year.

Prototyping and production revenue* per quarter and end market:

The revision of the full year guidance mainly reflects the delayed recovery of the silicon carbide business. Despite this temporary effect, X-FAB remains confident in the long-term prospects of its SiC business. With the projected increase in EV unit sales, the greater adoption of SiC inverters in EV powertrains, and the anticipated completion of customer destocking, X-FAB expects a return to strong silicon carbide revenue growth in 2025.

Business fundamentals are intact and X-FAB remains well positioned for long-term business success. X‑FAB's comprehensive and highly specialized technology portfolio enables innovative solutions to address the major megatrends of our time. The electrification of everything is inevitable to move away from fossil fuels and mitigate climate change, driving long-term growth in X‑FAB's automotive and industrial businesses. Aging and growing populations require technological innovation to make prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease more efficient, reliable and accessible to an ever-growing number of people. X-FAB's microsystems expertise with the combination of CMOS and MEMS supports the development of world-leading medical applications and fuels the long-term growth of X-FAB's medical business.

Operations update

Capacity utilization at X-FAB’s factories varied by technology. The 200mm CMOS lines, especially those producing the high demand 180nm technologies, were running at full load while others recorded lower utilization rates in line with the current demand.

In the second quarter, X-FAB continued its capacity expansion program. Total capital expenditures for the second quarter amounted to USD 121.9 million, up 17% sequentially.

The building construction at X-FAB Sarawak to create additional cleanroom space is on track, as is the plan to start moving in equipment in the fourth quarter. X-FAB France continued to expand capacity with new equipment coming online. Both sites manufacture X-FAB’s popular 200mm CMOS technologies and it is essential to increase capacity to better meet customer demand.

The SiC capacity expansion at X-FAB Texas was slowed in the second quarter in response to the current market demand, reflecting X-FAB's approach of gradually increasing capacity in line with identified demand and long-term customer commitments (long-term agreements).

Financial update

Second quarter EBITDA was USD 47.9 million with an EBITDA margin of 23.3%. Excluding the positive impact from revenues recognized over time, the EBITDA margin of the second quarter would have been 22.7%, at the higher end of the guided 20-23%.

Profitability is not affected by exchange rate fluctuations as X-FAB’s business is naturally hedged. At a constant USD/Euro exchange rate of 1.09 as experienced in the previous year’s quarter, the EBITDA margin would have been the same.

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the second quarter amounted to USD 290.1 million.

The financing of X-FAB’s capital expenditures for the ongoing capacity expansion program through 2025 is secured by available cash reserves in combination with credit facilities, prepayments received from customers with long-term contracts and operating cash flows, each of which accounting for approximately one-third of total cash requirements.

For the additional capacity that X-FAB is building as part of its expansion program, the corresponding business has been identified, either as part of long-term agreements or as part of customer forecasts for existing products in high demand.

Based on the amendments to IAS 1 (International Accounting Standard) regarding the classification of liabilities as current or non-current, X-FAB has changed the presentation of borrowings under the Group's multicurrency revolving credit facility, which were classified as current until December 31, 2023.

As of January 1, 2024, these obligations are classified as non-current, also retrospectively. Accordingly, the balance sheets as of June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2023, have been restated to reflect this change, whereby the outstanding position of the Group's multicurrency revolving credit facility, respectively amounting to USD 180.9 million and USD 192.7 million, were reclassified from current to non-current borrowings.

Management comments

Rudi De Winter, CEO of X-FAB Group, said: "X-FAB's second quarter results, which were fully in line with expectations, reflect the contrasting market dynamics we are currently experiencing. We continue to see strong demand for our 200mm CMOS technologies. They represent the largest part of our business, and it is paramount that we continue to expand this capacity in line with customer needs that have been identified and secured through long-term contracts. I am pleased that we have initiated these investments and continue to make good progress in executing our expansion program. Another highlight for me is our microsystems business, where demand is strong and the pipeline is full of exciting applications. While our SiC business is experiencing a period of customer destocking, I remain confident in the structurally strong demand for silicon carbide applications driven by the worldwide transition to green mobility and green energy. It is rather a demand shift into next year, and I am convinced that our SiC business will return to robust growth in 2025."

Procedures of the independent auditor

The statutory auditor, KPMG Bedrijfsrevisoren – Réviseurs d’Entreprises BV/SRL, represented by Herwig Carmans, has confirmed that the review procedures, which have been substantially completed, have not revealed any material misstatement in the accounting information included in this press release as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2024.

X-FAB Quarterly Conference Call

X-FAB’s second quarter results will be discussed in a live conference call/webcast on Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 6.30 p.m. CEST. The conference call will be in English.

Please register here for the webcast (listen only).

Please register here for the conference call (listen and ask questions).

The third quarter 2024 results will be communicated on October 24, 2024.

About X-FAB

X-FAB is the leading analog/mixed-signal and MEMS foundry group manufacturing silicon wafers for automotive, industrial, consumer, medical and other applications. Its customers worldwide benefit from the highest quality standards, manufacturing excellence and innovative solutions by using X-FAB’s modular CMOS processes in geometries ranging from 1.0 µm to 110 nm, and its special silicon carbide and MEMS long-lifetime processes. X-FAB’s analog-digital integrated circuits (mixed-signal ICs), sensors and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) are manufactured at six production facilities in Germany, France, Malaysia and the U.S. X-FAB employs approx. 4,500 people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.xfab.com.

Forward-looking information

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements regarding or based upon our management’s current intentions, beliefs or expectations relating to, among other things, X-FAB’s future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies or developments in the industry in which we operate. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied thereby. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein.

Forward-looking statements contained in this press release regarding trends or current activities should not be taken as a report that such trends or activities will continue in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless legally required. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

The information contained in this press release is subject to change without notice. No re-report or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of the information contained herein and no reliance should be placed on it.

*excluding impact from revenue recognized over time according to IFRS 15

Condensed consolidated statement of profit and loss

Amounts in the financial tables provided in this press release are rounded to the nearest thousand except when otherwise indicated, rounding differences may occur.

*excluding impact from revenue recognized over time in accordance with IFRS 15

Condensed consolidated statement of financial position

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows

Condensed consolidated statement of cash flows – con’t

 

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Contacts

X-FAB Press Contact
Uta Steinbrecher
Investor Relations
X-FAB Silicon Foundries
+49-361-427-6489
uta.steinbrecher@xfab.com