Besi enters 2025 with caution, sees sales drop in first quarter

(Reuters) -Dutch chipmaking parts supplier BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi) expects its revenue to fall in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the last quarter, as weakness in its traditional markets offsets positive AI related orders. The chip assembly equipment maker expects its first quarter sales to fall by up to 10% from the 153.4 million euros ($159.9 million) it recorded for the final quarter of 2024. Analysts were expecting revenue to grow to 170.2 million euros for the first quarter, according to LSEG’s IBES data. “We enter the year 2025 with cautious optimism based on strong momentum in our…