Murata Manufacturing has reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates, fueled by robust demand from artificial-intelligence data-center builders.
Net income in the three months through March was ¥76.57 billion ($477 million), the Kyoto-based company said Thursday. Analysts had estimated ¥60 billion on average. Revenue was ¥460.62 billion, also better than expected.
Murata’s shares surged as much as 8.8% after the results.
The company is the world’s leading supplier of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), essential components for every device that uses electricity because they regulate power flow. The company’s high-end MLCCs are sought by U.S. hyperscalers building up AI data centers, and the company has been saying that its production pace is struggling to catch up with runaway demand.
A surge in material costs stemming from elevated inflation and the U.S.-Iran conflict is posing a risk, and investors are pressuring Murata management to raise prices to offset higher expenses and take advantage of the burgeoning demand. Murata’s chief previously said the company is considering raising prices, and it is adjusting production line allotment so that it can make more high-end MLCCs while continuing to expand overall capacity.
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