Enflame narrows third-quarter loss as AI-chip revenue jumps
By Eduardo Baptista
Oct 30 (Reuters) - Chinese AI-chip designer Enflame Technology 688801.SS reported a narrower third-quarter loss as revenue nearly quintupled, underscoring rising demand for homegrown computing chips amid China's push to build its AI infrastructure with locally made technology.
Third-quarter revenue rose 395% from a year earlier to 1.21 billion yuan ($182 million). Net loss attributable to shareholders was 121.6 million yuan
The company spent 349.4 million yuan on research and development during the quarter, up 14.9% from a year earlier
For the first nine months, revenue rose 331.7% to 2.33 billion yuan, while its net loss narrowed to 754.0 million yuan from 887.8 million yuan a year earlier
Operating cash outflow totalled 2.02 billion yuan in the first nine months, compared with 769.6 million yuan a year earlier, as Enflame increased payments to raw-material suppliers
Enflame listed on Shanghai's STAR Market last month, raising about 6.12 billion yuan in its initial public offering. Chinese tech giant Tencent is its largest shareholder
Enflame is one of a group of Chinese AI-chip makers seeking to supply local alternatives as US export controls limit China's access to cutting-edge processors, even as demand for AI computing grows
($1 = 6.6552 Chinese yuan renminbi)