LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Shares in AIM's Volex sparked on Wednesday, after the specialist manufacturer shook off tariff uncertainty to post a surge in half-year earnings.
Revenues at the company, which makes critical power and data transmission products, increased 12.7% in the six months to September end to $583.9m.

Volex said there had been "strong" organic growth of 13% during the period, including an 80% surge in data centres sales.

Underlying operating profits rose 20.2% to $57.2m, while statutory pre-tax profits were 43% stronger at $37.9m.

Chief executive Nat Rothschild said: "Despite a backdrop of tariff-related uncertainty, we delivered sustained profitable growth and have enhanced our position as an essential partner to global blue chip customers.

"We continue to invest for the long term with purpose and discipline, expanding capacity, enhancing vertical integration and maintaining strong cost control to improve competitiveness and support compounding growth through cycles."

Looking ahead, Volex said trading in the second half to date had been "solid", with revenues broadly consistent with the first half. As a result, it remained on track to meet full-year market expectations.

As at 1015 GMT, the stock had put on 12% at 417p.

Peel Hunt, which has a 'buy' rating on the stock, said: "Volex's update is the most upbeat we have seen in the sector as of late, with growth/margin ahead of expectations and strong momentum being maintained.

"Investments over recent years have paid off and Volex is clearly in a comfortable position to meet its 2027 full-year objectives in our view."

Rothschild, who joined Volex in 2015 as a non-executive director, was previously executive chair. In a shake-up to the executive structure, Volex confirmed on Wednesday that Rothschild had become chief executive, with CPM Holdings boss Dave Webster joining as chair.

Through his investment firm NR Holdings, Rothschild is Volex's biggest shareholder.

Volex currently has 25 manufacturing facilities and employs around 13,000 people. It specialises in five key sectors: electric vehicles, consumer electricals, medical, complex industrial technology and off-highway.

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