Atlas Copco's stock is soaring by just over 6 percent after the quarterly figures.
"Demand for Atlas Copco Group's equipment and services improved noticeably and order intake in the quarter was better than expected. The strong order growth was primarily driven by increased demand for products for the semiconductor industry, although most other industry segments also generated good growth," Atlas Copco writes in its interim report for the quarter.
Up 60 percent
Geographically, the increased demand for the Group's products comes primarily from North America, up 49 percent, and Asia/Oceania, up 47 percent.
The Vacuum Technology business area - where the semiconductor industry plays a crucial role - had a 60 percent increase in order intake and a 30 percent increase in profit.
For the group as a whole, Atlas Copco reports a profit before tax of SEK 9.1 billion. This compares with a profit of SEK 8.4 billion in the corresponding quarter last year.
Better than expected
Adjusted operating profit rose to 9.4 billion, from 8.4 billion, according to the company's second-quarter interim report. This was better than expected. The average forecast was 9.2 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Order intake in the quarter rose 27 percent to almost 51 billion, while revenue rose 9 percent to 45 billion.
