Strong Financials Align AXT Inc (NASDAQ:AXTI) With The Top Gainers

[[tagnumber 0]][[tagnumber 1]]A late earnings call yesterday has already kicked the stock of AXT Inc (NASDAQ:AXTI) up among the top gainers for today. For this is what you get when you beat analysts‘ estimates, is it not?[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]]Since the opening bell, AXTI has been on an impressive roll, which has so far resulted in a spectacular 25% rebound from its $2.65 Monday close to $3.33 per share today, with still more than an hour to go. What is more, the stock is also subject to unprecedented investor interest with more than 5.4 million shares having so far changed hands, possibly an all–time high for AXT. In comparison to its average daily volume of 42 thousand (i.e. until yesterday), the surge speaks for itself. What did the company do to deserve this?[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]]A positive earnings report, it seems. Yet, were the figures really that impressive? Let‘s take a look to find out.[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]][[tagnumber 8]]As it is, the manufacturer of compound semiconductor substrates scored a slightly better yer–over–year top and bottom line, turning last year‘s Q1 loss of $1.2 million into a sweet profit of $42 thousand. A minor step ahead from a macro perspective, yet big enough to have investors gathered in their masses.[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]]AXTI‘s extraordinary reign on the charts proves once again that it is small steps that get the ball rolling. The company has now gained attention from outside investors. What about insiders, though? The question arises because no insider purchases have occurred for the last 3 months on record. Could this change now? If it does, this could indicate that the good Q1 results may translate into an even better second quarter.[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]]On a side note, we cannot put aside the fact that today‘s quantum leap has certainly not left everyone happy. We can only imagine how hard shorters have been hit by the corresponding short squeeze and if anyone had time to cover their positions without emptying their pockets first. In this respect, we would not be surprised if the number of prospective traders betting against the stock remains relatively for the time being.[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]]AXTI Inc has outperformed itself on a YoY basis. As a result, it has impressed quite a few traders. So far, so good. However, with greater results comes greater responsibility to both stockholders and outsiders. A responsibility based on the notion that managers can raise their game not only in the past quarter, but also in the quarters to come.[[tagnumber 2]] [[tagnumber 0]] [[tagnumber 2]]