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Chipmaker IQE Explores Sale After Slashing Earnings Guidance

IQE (IQE.L), the British semiconductor materials maker supplying Apple’s iPhone facial recognition sensors, said Monday it is considering a potential sale after lowering its earnings outlook amid continued weakness in the smartphone market. The announcement sent its shares down more than 12% to a 16-year low.

The company now expects core earnings between a £5M loss and a £2M profit, compared with earlier guidance of £7.4M–£10M profit. Revenue is forecast at £90M–£100M, down from the previous range of £115.1M–£123M, citing contract delays in wireless and photonics. By comparison, IQE posted £8.1M profit on £118M revenue last year.

IQE said it has been approached by an undisclosed party regarding a potential acquisition, expanding its ongoing strategic review to include a sale. The company is also pursuing the previously announced sale of its Taiwan operations, with talks underway with prospective buyers.

The group, which has facilities in the U.K., U.S., and Taiwan, has struggled under declining smartphone demand and high levies on semiconductors. Data from IDC shows global smartphone sales grew just 1% in Q2, underscoring the headwinds for suppliers.

IQE has been working to cut debt and shift production to the U.S., hoping to better align with demand trends and navigate geopolitical trade pressures. But with shares tumbling to 7.64 pence, investors are questioning whether a sale is now the most viable path forward.

Apple Supplier Skyworks Solutions Forecasts Strong Q4 Results on Robust Chip Demand

Skyworks Solutions (SWKS.O), a key Apple supplier, projected fourth-quarter revenue and profit above Wall Street estimates on Tuesday, driven by sustained demand for its analog chips despite economic uncertainties. The company’s shares rose about 10% in extended trading.

CEO Phil Brace highlighted positive momentum in mobile markets and steady demand across sectors including edge IoT, automotive, and data centers. Skyworks designs and manufactures analog and mixed-signal chips used widely in wireless communications, automotive, industrial, and consumer electronics.

For the fourth quarter, Skyworks expects revenue between $1 billion and $1.03 billion, significantly higher than analyst estimates of $887.4 million. Adjusted earnings per share are forecast at $1.40, outperforming expectations of 97 cents per share.

In the third quarter ended June 27, Skyworks reported revenue of $965 million, beating estimates of $940.9 million. However, profit per share declined to 70 cents from 75 cents a year earlier. The company also recently appointed Robert Schriesheim as interim finance chief after a change in leadership plans earlier this year.

Apple Supplier Jabil Lifts Annual Forecast Amid AI-Driven Data Center Boom

Jabil Inc., a major electronics components manufacturer and key supplier to Apple, has raised its full-year profit and revenue forecasts, citing soaring demand for data center infrastructure driven by the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence technologies.

The company’s shares rose approximately 5% in premarket trading on Tuesday after it surpassed Wall Street expectations for its fiscal third quarter.

Highlights from the Report:

  • Fiscal 2025 revenue forecast raised to $29 billion from $27.9 billion.

  • Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) outlook increased to $9.33, up from $8.95.

  • Q3 revenue rose 15.7% year-over-year to $7.83 billion, beating analyst expectations of $7.06 billion (LSEG data).

  • Adjusted Q3 EPS was $2.55, above the expected $2.31.

Strategic Investment:

Jabil also announced a $500 million investment in the United States over the coming years to expand support for cloud and AI data center infrastructure customers, underscoring the company’s strategic pivot toward high-growth digital infrastructure markets.

CEO Mike Dastoor emphasized the momentum:

“Our intelligent infrastructure segment remains a critical growth engine, benefiting from accelerating AI-driven demand.”

This performance positions Jabil as a key player in the supply chain supporting the global AI boom, and its forward-looking strategy appears aimed at securing long-term growth through investments in infrastructure and technology innovation.