!!! Press Release !!!

Aachen, November 6, 2003 – AIXTRON – the global market leader for MOCVD equipment, the key technology for the production of compound semiconductors and other complex material systems – generated consolidated revenues of €62.5 million for the first three quarters of 2003 (2002: €118.6 million). Revenues by region were as follows: 21% U.S.A, 72% Asia and 7% Europe. Earnings for the nine months were impacted by already reported one-time restructuring expenses in Q1 and provisions for inventories in Q2. The loss before income taxes amounted to €-22.8 million (2002: income before income taxes of €22.0 million), while the consolidated loss to €-14.2 million (2002: consolidated net income of €14.9 million), resulting in a loss per share of €-0.22 (2002: earnings per share of €0.23). Before these provisions, the loss before income taxes amounted to €-13.7 million (2002: income before income taxes of €22.0 million), while the loss after income taxes was €-8.6 million (2002: consolidated net income of €14.9 million). Cash and cash equivalents worth €48.0 million (previous quarter €49.8 million), which are not reduced by any liabilities to banks, and an equity ratio of 77% (previous quarter 80%) underline the strategic flexibility that AIXTRON has managed to retain in this difficult period.

Consolidated revenues in the third quarter amounted to €21.5 million (2002: €35.3 million). The loss before income taxes in Q3 amounted to €-2.5 million (2002: income before income taxes of €5.0 million) and the loss after income taxes to €-1.5 million (2002: income before income taxes of €4.6 million). The loss per share in Q3 was €-0.02 (2002: earnings per share of €0.07).

The reduction in geopolitical crisis levels and the respite from the SARS epidemic in Asia led to an upturn in capital expenditure in the third quarter. AIXTRON's new orders for MOCVD equipment increased by €6.7 million quarter-on-quarter to total €22.6 million in Q3 (2002: €23 million). Cumulative new orders after nine months thus totaled €53.6 million (2002: €74.0 million). The resulting reported order backlog at the end of Q3 amounted to €58.4 million (2002: €143,0 million).

AIXTRON’s Executive Board is confirming its 2003 forecast of revenues in the range of €90.0 to €95.0 million (2002: €150.7 million) and a net loss after taxes in the range of € 15.2 to €–13.5 million (2002: net income of €15.3 million).

CEO Paul Hyland said "Our focused cost reductions are having the required effect and we have received some encouraging signals from the market during Q3. However, it's still too early to talk of a sustained recovery as many customers remain cautious regardless of the positive general economic data. Despite the fragile nature of the recovery, we continue to be optimistic in the mid to long term."

The complete Q3/2003 quarterly report is available at www.aixtron.com.

This release does not constitute an offer or invitation to subscribe for or purchase any securities. In addition, the securities of AIXTRON Aktiengesellschaft have not been registered under the United States Securities Laws and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to U.S. Persons absent registration under or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Unites States Securities Laws. Certain of the statements contained herein may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management’s current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. The company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information.

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© AIXTRON AG, November 6, 2003

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