The Jena-based technology group JENOPTIK announces a dividend increase for the 2023 fiscal year. Shareholders can look forward to a payout of 35 cents per share, representing an increase of 5 cents compared to the previous year. This announcement was made in the context of the publication of the final annual figures, in which the company was able to record a significant increase in profit to 72.5 million euros – a growth of almost one-third.

In February, JENOPTIK had already presented preliminary key figures, which have now been confirmed. In addition, the goals for 2024 have been specified. Due to the flourishing business with the semiconductor industry, the group expects further growth for the current year. Given the solid order backlog and intake, JENOPTIK forecasts a revenue increase in the mid-single-digit percentage range. An operational margin (EBITDA) of 19.5 to 20 percent is expected to be achieved, including an anticipated burden of around 0.5 percentage points for the relocation to the new semiconductor site in Dresden. Last year, the margin reached 19.7 percent.

For the year 2023, the company already reported a 14 percent increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) to 210 million euros, improving the corresponding margin from 18.8 percent the previous year to 19.7 percent. Revenue grew by nine percent to approximately 1.07 billion euros, while new orders decreased by about 8 percent to 1.09 billion euros.

The announcement, however, led to a decline in JENOPTIK shares in XETRA trading by 4.0 percent to 28.80 euros. This highlights the challenges the company is facing and investors' reaction to the latest business results and outlooks.