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Q1 net profit expected to rise 72% year on year

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Foxconn confident on AI server demand, wary of geopolitics

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Foxconn looking to expand EV footprint

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Q1 earnings call at 0700 GMT on Wednesday

TAIPEI, May 14 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foxconn,

the world's largest contract electronics maker, is expected to

report on Wednesday that first-quarter profit leapt 72% on

continued strong demand for artificial intelligence servers.

Net profit for January-March for Apple's ( AAPL ) top iPhone

assembler and Nvidia's ( NVDA ) server maker likely came in

at T$37.8 billion ($1.25 billion), according to an LSEG

consensus estimate of 13 analysts, versus T$22.01 billion a year

earlier.

Foxconn, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry ( HNHPF ), said

last month that its first-quarter revenue jumped 24.2% to a

record for that quarter on strong sales of AI servers.

But global trade uncertainty could dim the prospects for its

outlook this year, as it has a major manufacturing presence in

China, though Washington and Beijing on Monday agreed to slash

steep tariffs for at least 90 days.

Most of the iPhones it makes for Apple ( AAPL ) are assembled in

China. Foxconn is also building a large manufacturing facility

in Mexico - another target of U.S. President Donald Trump's

tariffs - to produce AI servers for Nvidia ( NVDA ).

In its April sales report, Foxconn said while the second

quarter should see on-year growth - the company does not provide

numerical guidance - the impact of "evolving global political

and economic conditions" would need continued close monitoring.

Foxconn has also been looking to expand its footprint in

electric vehicles, which the company sees as a major future

growth generator.

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors ( MMTOF ) and Foxconn

subsidiary Foxtron Vehicle Technologies last week

announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the

supply of an electric vehicle model.

Foxconn has previously said it would consider taking a stake

in Nissan ( NSANF ) for cooperation. Japan's third-biggest

automaker is striving to make its business leaner and more

resilient after weak sales in China and its biggest market the

United States.

Foxconn holds its earnings call at 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) in

Taipei on Wednesday, where it will also update its outlook for

the year.

Foxconn's shares have fallen 14% so far this year, hit by

concerns about U.S. trade policy, compared with a 7% drop for

the broader Taiwan index.

($1 = 30.3070 Taiwan dollars)