TAIPEI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Apple ( AAPL ) supplier

Foxconn reported on Wednesday a 6% rise in

second-quarter net profit, driven by strong AI server demand as

the company touted "strong growth momentum" from the technology

boom.

The Taiwanese company, the world's largest contract

electronics maker, said net profit for the April-June quarter

rose to T$35.05 billion ($1.09 billion) from T$33 billion in the

same period the previous year.

That beat analysts' average estimate of T$34.29 billion.

It was the firm's fourth consecutive quarterly profit

rise.

The company said AI servers accounted for more than 40%

of its server business in the second quarter, saying its next

generation AI computing solution has brought "strong growth

momentum."

Foxconn had previously expected revenue for the second

quarter to grow significantly from a year earlier, although

revenue from smart computer electronics including smartphones

was likely to be flattish.

The company, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry

Co Ltd ( HNHPF ), has expected its operations to pick up gradually in the

second half as many electronics vendors including Apple ( AAPL ) usually

release new products ahead of the year-end holiday season.

In a report prior to the earnings announcement,

Taipei-based KGI Securities revised up its sales forecast for

Foxconn this year, saying strong demand for new iPhones and AI

servers were likely to lead to a better-than-expected outlook

for the firm in the second half.