IQE PLC’s (LON:IQE) shares dropped after the semiconductor supplier warned it will register a “mid-single digit” full-year operating loss as a result of lower revenue.
The first quarter of 2020 is forecast to remain weak, with revenue returning to “moderate” growth thereafter, thanks to the market opportunity driven by 5G network expansion.
READ: IQE plunges as it slashes revenue and margin guidance
Sales in the year to 31 December are now expected to be between £136mln and £142mln, compared to the previous guidance range of £140mln to £160mln, including a foreign exchange tailwind of around £3mln.
House broker Peel Hunt now forecasts a £5.3mln adjusted underlying loss, with 2020 estimates for underlying profit slashed to £3.3mln from £15.7mln.
AIM-listed IQE said it is mostly caused by two major customers, which are still expected to bring cash growth in the new year.
The lower revenues will widen full-year operating losses, also affected by one-off commissioning costs at the new foundry in Newport, higher production costs and losses at a Singapore branch.
Capital expenditure will be towards the bottom end of the £30mln to £40mln guidance range, while net debt position at year-end is expected to be between £15mln to £20mln, against £50mln loans announced in the summer, as a result of a cost-reduction strategy.
Peel Hunt analysts, cut its price target to 95p from 108p, said in a note to clients that "low visibility constrains our ability to better gauge upside visibility to its near-term forecasts", with a bearish scenario forecast for the wireless division in 2020 "in a bifurcating semis world due to the trade-war".
Shares plunged 22% to 51.4p on Monday morning.