IQE raises 2026 revenue forecast to 30% on AI chip demand

Key Takeaways

• IQE raised its 2026 revenue growth forecast to above 30%, up from 20% previously
• Indium Phosphide demand for AI data centres drove first-half results above expectations
• Aerospace, defence, and 3D sensing markets added to the growth momentum

IQE, the Welsh compound semiconductor wafer maker, raised its full-year revenue growth forecast to above 30% on Tuesday, up sharply from its prior guidance of 20%. The company pointed to accelerating demand for its Indium Phosphide solutions, a critical material used in optical photonics for AI infrastructure and data centres.

First-half revenue came in at a minimum of £64 million ($86 million), beating management expectations across all core business lines. IQE now expects core profit to reach the low-teens millions of pounds for the full year.

Why is Indium Phosphide in demand?

Indium Phosphide (InP) is a compound semiconductor material that outperforms traditional silicon in high-frequency, high-power, and optical applications. Data centres running AI workloads need faster data transmission between servers. Optical interconnects built with InP handle that traffic more efficiently than copper or even standard silicon photonics.

IQE manufactures the epitaxial wafers that become the foundation for these optical components. As hyperscalers expand AI clusters, the demand for InP wafers has grown in lockstep. The company said this demand accelerated in the first half and will remain strong through the rest of 2026.

Three markets driving IQE's growth

AI infrastructure is the headline driver, but IQE's upgraded forecast rests on three pillars. First, the Indium Phosphide business serving data centres. Second, aerospace and defence orders, which tend to be high-margin and long-cycle. Third, 3D sensing and wireless products, where compound semiconductors enable everything from smartphone facial recognition to 5G base stations.

The company's statement noted "strength in the aerospace and defence market alongside robust demand for 3D sensing and wireless products." That diversification matters. It means IQE isn't betting entirely on AI infrastructure buildout, which can be lumpy as hyperscalers adjust their capital spending.

What this signals for the compound semiconductor market

IQE's upgrade adds to a pattern. Companies supplying specialized materials and components for AI infrastructure, rather than the headline GPU makers, are seeing their order books swell. The logic is straightforward: every AI cluster needs power electronics, optical interconnects, and advanced packaging, not just processors.

Compound semiconductors like gallium arsenide and indium phosphide occupy a different niche than silicon. They're more expensive to produce, but they're necessary where silicon can't perform, such as high-frequency RF applications or high-speed optical links. As AI workloads push data centre interconnect speeds higher, the addressable market for these materials expands.

The numbers in context

IQE is headquartered in Cardiff and operates wafer fabrication facilities in the UK, US, and Taiwan. The company produces 6-inch and 8-inch epitaxial wafers. Revenue of £64 million for the first half puts it on track for around £130 million or more for the full year, assuming the second half matches or exceeds the first.

Core profit in the low-teens millions suggests improved margins compared to prior years, when IQE struggled with profitability amid weak smartphone demand and restructuring costs. The current cycle appears different. AI infrastructure demand is pulling through orders that the consumer electronics market alone could not sustain.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IQE manufacture?

IQE produces epitaxial wafers made from compound semiconductors like gallium arsenide and indium phosphide. These wafers are used in 5G wireless, 3D sensing, aerospace electronics, and optical components for data centres.

Why is Indium Phosphide important for AI data centres?

Indium Phosphide enables high-speed optical interconnects that transmit data between servers faster and more efficiently than copper. AI clusters generate massive internal data traffic, making these optical links essential.

How much did IQE raise its revenue forecast?

IQE upgraded its 2026 revenue growth forecast from 20% to above 30%, with first-half revenue reaching at least £64 million ($86 million).

Is IQE profitable?

IQE expects core profit in the low-teens millions of pounds for the full year, indicating a return to profitability after challenging years in the consumer electronics cycle.

Source: Tech-Economic Times / ET