VAT

After the announcement that OpenAI is postponing its IPO, Swiss AI-driven stocks fell sharply. VAT lost around 5%; chip-industry suppliers such as Comet and Inficon also plunged, and ABB, Belimo, Accelleron and Huber+Suhner retreated as well. The move follows safety warnings from AI researchers and executives and calls to slow the development of powerful models, weighing on investment and earnings expectations in the sector. » More on finanzen.net

VAT shares fell 5.1% after half-year figures, after net profit for the first half fell 6.4% to CHF 98.8m and revenue declined 8.3% to CHF 511.9m. Earnings per share of CHF 3.62 missed the analyst estimate of CHF 3.78. At the same time, order intake in Q2 reached a record CHF 500m, order backlog rose 121% to CHF 648m and the book-to-bill is 1.7. EBITDA margin was pushed down to 29% by costs for accelerated capacity expansion; management confirmed the annual guidance, but analysts remain cautious in the near term. » More on de.investing.com

VAT reported a record order intake of CHF 500m in Q2 2026 (H1: CHF 856m) and a sequential revenue increase to CHF 291m; the EBITDA margin was 29%. The company is advancing capacity expansion for semiconductor manufacturing, hired over 700 FTEs, and is expanding supply chains and inventories. Free cash flow was CHF 42m; net debt stood at CHF 282m. VAT confirms its outlook for 2026 and expects Q3 revenue of CHF 355–385m, but is reviewing its 2027 revenue guidance in light of stronger WFE expectations. » More on de.investing.com