GARCHING (dpa-AFX) - With the sale of its division for microlenses and micro-optics products, chip supplier Suess Microtec aims to become more profitable on average this year than previously forecast. The division will be sold to the Chinese Focuslight Technologies and is to be spun off as a discontinued operation with retroactive effect from September 30. Without MicroOptics, turnover in 2023 should be between 280 and 320 million euros, the SDax-listed company announced on Wednesday in Garching near Munich. Including the division, the Management Board had most recently budgeted 300 to 340 million euros after 299.1 million euros in the previous year. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT margin) are now expected to amount to 7 to 11 percent. As recently as the end of October, management had cut the margin to between 4 and 8 percent. The Süss-Microtec share rose by 12 percent after the news was announced.

The transaction volume amounts to 75.5 million euros and includes all shares in the subsidiary as well as the repayment of financial debts. The Management Board expects the deal to be completed in the first quarter of the new year - it is expected to generate a positive special effect before taxes of 40 to 45 million euros./ngu/mis