AXT: A Comedy of Capital

AXT: A Comedy of Capital

It has come to my attention – a matter of some amusement, I assure you – that Pacific Ridge Capital Partners has divested itself entirely of its holdings in AXT, a purveyor of semiconductor substrates. One thousand, seven hundred and ninety-three shares, gone! Vanished as swiftly as a nobleman’s fortune at the gaming tables. A most decisive act, and one that compels a seasoned observer to ponder the follies of the market – and, indeed, of man himself.

The Scene Unfolds

The filing with the SEC, dated the fourth of February in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-six, reveals the entirety of Pacific Ridge’s stake – a sum of seventeen million, one hundred thousand dollars – has been exchanged for more…liquid amusements, no doubt. A rather tidy sum, to be sure, though one diminished by eight million dollars from its prior valuation. A cautionary tale, perhaps, that even the most promising ventures can prove as fleeting as a courtier’s favor.

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A Player Exits the Stage

Pacific Ridge, it seems, has chosen to seek its fortunes elsewhere. One cannot fault a prudent investor for taking profits, particularly when the object of their investment has experienced a rather…spirited ascent. Let us not mistake this for a lack of faith, but rather a recognition that even the most magnificent spectacles must eventually draw to a close.

Their remaining holdings, as revealed in the same missive, include a curious assortment of ventures: NBN, NGS, HRTG, ALCO, and BBW. A veritable menagerie of small-cap enterprises, each vying for attention in a crowded marketplace. One suspects Pacific Ridge possesses a particular fondness for these lesser-known players, perhaps believing they offer a greater potential for reward – or, at the very least, a more diverting spectacle.

The Rising Star and its Perils

AXT, for those unacquainted with this particular drama, specializes in the creation of substrates – the very foundation upon which modern electronics are built. They fashion these materials from elements such as indium phosphide, gallium arsenide, and germanium – substances whose names alone suggest a certain alchemical ambition. The company has, in recent times, enjoyed a most remarkable run, with its shares soaring a staggering eight hundred and fifty-three percent in the past year. A truly astonishing feat, and one that has, understandably, attracted a considerable amount of attention.

Metric Value
Price (as of market close February 3, 2026) $19.74
Market capitalization $1.09 billion
Revenue (TTM) $90.4 million
Net income (TTM) ($25.0 million)

However, let us not be blinded by the glitter of success. A recent setback in the Asia Pacific region – a mere half a million dollars in lost revenue, stemming from China’s export restrictions – serves as a timely reminder that even the most promising ventures are not immune to the vagaries of fortune. The company’s current lack of profitability, despite the revenue growth, is a detail that a discerning eye cannot overlook.

The Grand Illusion

Nevertheless, AXT has demonstrated a capacity for renewal. Revenue has increased by eighteen percent in the most recent quarter, and analysts predict further growth in the years to come. This resurgence is fueled by the ever-increasing demand for data center infrastructure, and the critical role that indium phosphide plays in enabling high-speed data transmission. It seems the world’s insatiable appetite for information is, for the moment, benefiting AXT’s fortunes.

Pacific Ridge’s simultaneous reduction of positions in other holdings – NGS, HRTG, and ALCO – suggests a pattern. The firm appears to favor undervalued small caps, seeking to capitalize on opportunities before the wider market takes notice. A shrewd strategy, to be sure, though one that relies on a degree of foresight – and, perhaps, a touch of luck.

Thus concludes this brief observation of the market’s comings and goings. Let us remember that the pursuit of wealth is often a comedy, filled with both triumph and folly. And let us approach it with a measure of skepticism, a dash of humor, and a healthy respect for the unpredictable nature of fortune.

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2026-02-18 23:02