axti20250625_def14a.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )

Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐	Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a‑6(e)(2))
☒	Definitive Proxy Statement
☐	Definitive Additional Materials
☐	Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a‑12

AXT, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
☒	No fee required.

☐	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

☐	Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

March 31, 2026

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of AXT, Inc. on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The meeting will be held at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538.

This year, we are continuing to use the Internet as our primary means of furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders. Consequently, most of our stockholders will not receive paper copies of our proxy materials. Instead, on or about April 2, 2026, we will send to these stockholders a notice with instructions to access the proxy materials and vote via the Internet. The notice will also provide information on how stockholders may obtain paper copies of our proxy materials if they so choose. This makes the proxy distribution process more efficient and less costly, and helps conserve natural resources.

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, your vote is very important and we encourage you to vote promptly. As an alternative to voting in person at the annual meeting, you may vote via the Internet, by telephone or, if you receive a paper proxy card in the mail, by mailing the completed proxy card. It is important that you use this opportunity to take part in our affairs by voting on the business to come before this annual meeting. Regardless of the number of shares you own, your careful consideration of, and vote on, the matters before our stockholders is important.

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

	Sincerely yours,



	Gary L. Fischer
	Chief Financial Officer
	and Corporate Secretary

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

TO THE STOCKHOLDERS:

Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the stockholders of AXT, Inc., a Delaware corporation, will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538 , for the following purposes:

To elect two (2) Class I directors to hold office for a three-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

To ratify the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

To approve an amendment to the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, from 70,000,000 to 120,000,000 in substantially the form attached to the Proxy Statement as Appendix A (the “Amendment Proposal”).

To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the adjournment of the annual meeting if necessary or appropriate in the view of the Company’s board of directors, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies in the event there are insufficient votes at the time of the annual meeting to approve the Amendment Proposal.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting.

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2026 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, this annual meeting and any adjournment or postponement. For ten days prior to the meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose relating to the annual meeting, during ordinary business hours at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538.

	By order of the Board of Directors,



	Gary L. Fischer
	Chief Financial Officer
	and Corporate Secretary

Fremont, California

March 31, 2026

IMPORTANT: Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we encourage you to vote your shares via a toll-free telephone number or over the Internet according to the instructions on the proxy card. To vote and submit your proxy by mail, please fill in, date, sign and promptly mail the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying postage-paid envelope to ensure that your shares are represented at the annual meeting. If you attend the annual meeting, you may choose to vote in person even if you have previously sent in your proxy card.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL

MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2026

The proxy materials, including this proxy statement, proxy card or voting instruction card and our 2025 Annual Report, are being first made available on or about March 31, 2026. This proxy statement contains important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the matters brought before the annual meeting. Please read it carefully.

In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), we have elected to provide our stockholders access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") will be mailed on or about April 2, 2026 to most of our stockholders who owned our common stock at the close of business on March 20, 2026, the record date. Stockholders will have the ability to access the proxy materials on a website referred to in the Notice or request a printed set of the proxy materials be sent to them by following the instructions in the Notice.

The Notice will also provide instructions on how you can elect to receive future proxy materials electronically or in printed form by mail. If you choose to receive future proxy materials electronically, you will receive an email next year with instructions containing a link to the proxy materials and a link to the proxy voting site. Your election to receive proxy materials electronically or in printed form by mail will remain in effect until you terminate such election.

Choosing to receive future proxy materials electronically will allow us to provide you with the information you need in a timelier manner, save us the cost of printing and mailing documents to you and conserve natural resources.

The annual meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time, for the following purposes:

To elect two (2) Class I directors to hold office for a three-year term and until their successors are elected and qualified.

To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

To ratify the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

To transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting.

Our Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above. If you wish to attend the annual meeting in person, the annual meeting will be held at our principal offices located at 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, California 94538, which can be reached by the following directions:

On highway 880 take the Auto Mall Pkwy exit and head east, and turn right into Technology Drive.

On highway 680 take the Auto Mall Pkwy exit and head west, and turn left into Technology Drive.

PROXY STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of AXT, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“AXT” or the “Company”), for use at AXT’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 14, 2026, or any adjournment or postponement thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The proxy materials, including this proxy statement, proxy card or voting instruction card and our 2025 Annual Report, are being distributed and made available on or about April 2, 2026.

SOLICITATION AND VOTING

Voting Rights and Outstanding Securities. Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 20, 2026, the record date, will be entitled to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournment thereof. As of such record date, we had 55,578,599 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, the holders of which are entitled to vote with respect to all matters to be acted upon at the annual meeting. We have also issued 883,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The holders of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are not entitled to vote on any matters at the meeting. Each stockholder of record of our common stock as of the record date is entitled to one vote for each share of our common stock held by such stockholder. Our Bylaws provide that the holders of a majority of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, whether present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the annual meeting. Votes for and against, abstentions and “broker non-votes” (shares held by a broker or nominee for which the broker or nominee does not have the authority, either express or discretionary, to vote on a particular matter) will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.

Broker Non-Votes. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker submits a proxy card with respect to shares held in a fiduciary capacity (typically referred to as being held in “street name”), but declines to vote on a particular matter because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner. Under the rules that govern brokers who are voting with respect to shares held in street name, brokers have the discretion to vote such shares on routine matters, but not on non-routine matters. Proposal 3 for the approval of the ratification of auditors and Proposal 5 for the approval of the adjournment of the annual meeting in the event there are insufficient votes to approve Proposal 4 (the “Adjournment Proposal”) are commonly considered as routine matters. Proposal 4 for the approval of the amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) to increase the total number of authorized shares of common stock from 70,000,000 to 120,000,000 (the “Amendment Proposal”) are expected to be treated as a routine matter. The Proposal 1 for the election of our Class I directors and Proposal 2 for the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our Named Executive Officers (as defined below) are considered non-routine matters. Your stockbroker, bank or other nominee will not be able to vote on any of the non-routine matters set forth in this proxy statement unless they have your voting instructions, so it is very important that you indicate your voting instructions to the institution holding your shares by completing and returning the voting instruction card.

Solicitation of Proxies. The Board is making this proxy solicitation and we will bear the cost of soliciting proxies. In addition to soliciting stockholders by mail, we will request banks, brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to solicit customers for whom they hold our stock and will reimburse them for their reasonable, out-of-pocket costs. We may use the services of our officers, directors and regular employees to further solicit proxies, personally or by telephone, without additional compensation for assisting with the solicitation.

Vote Required. If a quorum is present, the nominee for directors receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as the Class I directors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve ratification of the selection of our independent auditors. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve the Amendment Proposal. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve the Adjournment Proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the election of the Class I directors, the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers and Amendment Proposal. Abstentions will have no effect on the election of the Class I directors, the advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, the ratification of the selection of our independent auditors, Amendment Proposal and Adjournment Proposal.

Voting of Proxies. All valid proxies received before the annual meeting will be exercised. All shares represented by a proxy will be voted and, where a proxy specifies a stockholder’s choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon, the shares will be voted in accordance with that specification. If no choice is indicated on the proxy, the shares will be voted as the Board recommends on each proposal. The persons named as proxies will vote on any other matters properly presented at the annual meeting in accordance with their best judgment. A stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is exercised by delivering to our Corporate Secretary a written instrument revoking the proxy or a duly executed proxy with a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the annual meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute revocation of a proxy.

Voting by Telephone or the Internet or mail. If you hold shares through a bank or brokerage firm, you may be able to simplify your voting process and save us expense by voting your shares by telephone or over the Internet. The bank or brokerage firm through which you hold your shares will provide you with separate instructions on a form you will receive from them. Many such firms make telephone or Internet voting available, but the specific processes available will depend on those firms’ individual arrangements. When you vote by phone or over the Internet, your vote is recorded immediately. We encourage our stockholders to vote using these methods whenever possible. If you attend the annual meeting, you may also submit your vote in person, and any previous votes that you submitted, whether by phone, over the Internet or by mail, will be superseded by the vote that you cast at the annual meeting.

How to Obtain a Separate Set of Proxy Materials. To reduce the expense of delivering duplicate proxy materials to our stockholders who may have more than one AXT stock account, unless otherwise requested, pursuant to current householding rules, we will deliver only one set of proxy materials to stockholders who share the same address. If you share an address with another stockholder and have received only one set of proxy materials, you may write or call us to request a separate copy of these materials at no cost to you. For future annual meetings, you may request separate proxy materials, or request that we send only one set of proxy materials to you if you are receiving multiple copies, by calling our Investor Relations department at: (510) 438-4700, or by writing us at: AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, Attention: Investor Relations.

Communicating with AXT. You can obtain information about us by one of the following methods:

●

Our home page on the Internet, located at www.axt.com, gives you access to product and marketing information, in addition to recent press releases, financial information and stock quotes, as well as links to our filings with the SEC. Online versions of this proxy statement, our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and our letter to stockholders are located under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com.

●

To have information such as our latest quarterly earnings release, Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q mailed to you, please contact our Investor Relations at (510) 438-4700 or by email at: ir@axt.com.

For all other matters, please contact our Investor Relations at (510) 438-4700, or send your correspondence to the following address:

	AXT, Inc.
	4281 Technology Drive
	Fremont, CA 94538
	Attention: Investor Relations

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

We have a classified Board of Directors consisting of two Class I directors, one Class II director and one Class III director, who will serve until the annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2027, 2028 and 2026, respectively, and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors are elected for terms of three years to succeed those directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting dates.

The term of the Class I directors will expire on the date of the 2026 annual meeting. Accordingly, two nominees are to be elected to serve as the Class I directors of the Board of Directors at the 2026 annual meeting. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has nominated, Dr. Morris S. Young and Dr. David C. Chang, the current Class I directors of the Board of Directors, as the nominees for election by the stockholders to these positions. If elected, the nominees will serve as the Class I directors until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2029 and/or until their successors are elected and qualified. If these nominees decline to serve or become unavailable for any reason, the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominees as the Board of Directors may designate.

Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation

If a quorum is present the two nominees for Class I directors receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as the Class I directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the vote.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the nominee named above.

The following table sets forth, for our current directors, including the Class III nominee to be elected at this meeting, and the non-director Executive Officer, information with respect to their ages as of March 20, 2026 and their background:

Name	Principal Occupation	Age	Director Since

*Class* *I directors whose terms expire at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:*

Morris S. Young	Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer	81	1989
David C. Chang	Director	84	2000

*Class* *II director whose term expires at the 2027 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:*

Jesse Chen	Lead Independent Director	68	1998

*Class* *III director whose term expires at the 2028 Annual Meeting of Stockholders:*


Leonard LeBlanc	Director	85	2025

*Non-director Executive Officer:*

Gary L. Fischer	Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary	75

Members of the Board of Directors

Morris S. Young, Ph.D. co-founded AXT in 1986 and has served as a director since 1989. Dr. Young served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors from February 1998 to May 2004 and as our president and chief executive officer from 1989 to May 2004. From 2004 until his retirement in 2006, Dr. Young served as our chief technology officer. He was reappointed as our chief executive officer on July 16, 2009 and Chairman of the Board of Directors on August 12, 2021. From 1985 to 1989, Dr. Young was a physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Dr. Young has a B.S. degree in metallurgical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan, a M.S. degree in metallurgy from Syracuse University, and a Ph.D. in metallurgy from Polytechnic University.

The Board has determined that Dr. Young’s long history with the Company, as well as his breadth of experience and on-going, active involvement in the semiconductor industry, make him a valuable asset to the Board.

David C. Chang, Ph.D. has served as one of our directors since December 2000. Dr. Chang co-founded The Global Maximum Educational Opportunities, Inc., which provides study abroad programs in China for U.S. undergraduate students, in 2011 and became its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in August 2013. Dr. Chang has served as president of Polytechnic University in New York (now known as the Tandon School of Engineering, New York University) from 1994 to 2005 and chancellor from 2005 to 2013, and Professor Emeritus at New York University since 2013. Previously, Dr. Chang was dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Arizona State University. Dr. Chang served as a director of the NSF/Industry Corporate Research Center for Microwave and Millimeter-Wave Computer Aided Design from 1981 to 1989. Dr. Chang was a member of the board of directors of Time Warner Cable Inc. from 2004 to 2016. Dr. Chang has a M.S. degree and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Harvard University and a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan.

The Board has determined that Dr. Chang’s extensive experience in the semiconductor industry allows him to make significant contributions to the strategic direction of the Company.

Jesse Chen has served as one of our directors since February 1998 and was our Chairman of the Board of Directors from May 2004 until October 2007, at which time he was appointed our lead independent director. Mr. Chen served as our Chairman of the Board of Directors from March 2009 until August 12, 2021. Since May 1997, Mr. Chen has served as a managing director of Maton Ventures, an investment company. From 1990 to 1996, Mr. Chen served as chief executive officer of BusLogic, Inc., a fabless semiconductor and computer peripherals company. Mr. Chen serves on the board of directors of a private company. Mr. Chen has a B.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan and a M.S. degree in electrical engineering from Loyola Marymount University.

The Board has determined that Mr. Chen’s experience as a chief executive officer and his investment background provides him with the experience and knowledge in compensation and governance matters for technology companies to enhance his contributions to the Board and its committees.

Leonard J. LeBlanc prior to joining as one of our directors in July 2025, Mr. LeBlanc previously served as a director for AXT, Inc. from April 2003 to December 2021 and was also a director emeritus in 2022. Mr. LeBlanc served as the acting chief financial officer and vice president of corporate development for Ebest, Inc., a privately held applications software company, from February 2001 to September 2003. Mr. LeBlanc was the executive vice president and chief financial officer of Vantive Corporation, a customer relationship management software and solution company, from August 1998 to January 2000. From March 1996 to July 1997, Mr. LeBlanc was the executive vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer at Infoseek Corporation, an internet search and navigation company. From September 1993 to December 1994, Mr. LeBlanc served as senior vice president, finance and administration of GTECH Corporation, a manufacturer of lottery equipment and systems. From May 1987 to December 1992, Mr. LeBlanc served as executive vice president, finance and administration and chief financial officer of Cadence Design Systems, Inc., an electronic design automation software company. Mr. LeBlanc served on the board of directors and as chairman of the audit committee of Oplink Communications, Inc., a provider of optical manufacturing solutions and optical networking components from 2000 to 2009 and as chairman of the Board from 2006 to 2009. From November 2009 to November 2010, he was a consultant to Oplink Communications, Inc. Mr. LeBlanc has B.S. and M.S. degrees from the College of Holy Cross, and an M.S. degree in finance from George Washington University.

The Board has determined that Mr. LeBlanc’s financial expertise, his background and experience in the finance function in a number of companies make him a valuable contributor to the Board as well as to the Audit Committee.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

The Board has determined that, other than Dr. Morris S. Young, each of the members of the Board is an independent director for purposes of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards.

Executive Sessions

Our independent directors meet in an executive session without management present each time the Board holds its regularly scheduled meetings. Jesse Chen, an independent director, was designated by the Board as the lead independent director. As the lead independent director, Mr. Chen chairs the executive sessions.

Committees and Meeting Attendance

The Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. Copies of these charters are available on our website at www.axt.com. The Board held 12 meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. Each of the standing committees of the Board held the number of meetings indicated below. During the last fiscal year, each of our directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and of the committees of the Board on which such director served during that period. Directors are encouraged to attend our annual meetings of stockholders. Dr. David C. Chang, attended our 2025 annual meeting of stockholders.

The following table sets forth the three standing committees of the Board, the members of each committee during the last fiscal year and the number of meetings held by each committee;

Name of Director	Audit		Compensation		Nominating and Corporate Governance
Jesse Chen (1)	√	Chair	√		√	(Chair)
David C. Chang	√		√	(Chair)	√
Christine Russell (2)	√		√		√
Leonard J. LeBlanc (3)	√		√		√
Number of Meetings:	9		8		4

(1) Mr. Jesse Chen was appointed as Chair of the Audit Committee on July 29, 2025.

(2) Ms. Christine Russell passed away on July 11, 2025. Ms. Russell also served as the Chair of the Audit Committee until July 11, 2025.

(3) Mr. Leonard LeBlanc was appointed as a director on July 29, 2025 to fill the vacancy on the Board.

Audit Committee

The members of the Audit Committee during 2025 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell until her passing in July 2025. On July 29, 2025, the board of directors of AXT, Inc. appointed Mr. Leonard J. Leblanc as a member of its Board, effective immediately, to fill the vacancy on the Board due to the passing of Ms. Christine Russell. The Board has determined that all Audit Committee members are “independent” as defined under the applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules and regulations and as such rules apply to audit committee members. The Board has determined that each of Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Leonard LeBlanc is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the SEC. The Audit Committee’s functions include:

●

overseeing the accounting, financial reporting and audit processes;

●

reviewing the qualifications, independence and performance, and approving the terms of engagement, of the independent registered public accounting firm;

●

reviewing the results and scope of audit and other services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm;

●

reviewing the accounting principles and auditing practices and procedures to be used in preparing our financial statements;

●

reviewing our internal controls;

●

reviewing and approving related-party transactions; and

●

discussing with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures as well as risks and exposures associated with cybersecurity, information security and privacy matters and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

For additional information concerning the Audit Committee, see “Audit Committee Report” and “Proposal No. 3 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee has been delegated the responsibility by the Board to oversee the programs under which compensation is paid or awarded to our Named Executive Officers and to evaluate the performance of these executive officers. The Compensation Committee has been delegated the authority to: (i) oversee our compensation policies and practices; (ii) review and approve compensation and compensation procedures for our executive officers; (iii) oversee and approve director compensation, and (iv) oversee and approve equity awards to our employees, officers and directors. More specifically, the Compensation Committee’s responsibilities include: overseeing our general compensation structure, policies and programs, and assessing whether our compensation structure establishes appropriate incentives for management and employees; administering our incentive compensation and equity‑based compensation plans, including our equity incentive plans; reviewing and approving compensation procedures for our executive officers; reviewing and recommending to the Board the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer based on relevant corporate goals and objectives and the Board’s performance evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer; reviewing and approving the compensation of executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer; approving employment and retention agreements and severance arrangements for executive officers, including change-in-control provisions, plans or agreements; and approving the compensation of directors for service on the Board and its committees and recommending changes in compensation to the Board. The Chief Executive Officer does not participate in discussions or approvals related to his compensation. Regarding most compensation matters, including executive and director compensation, our management provides recommendations to the Compensation Committee.

The agenda for meetings of the Compensation Committee is determined by its Chair with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Compensation Committee meetings are regularly attended by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. The Compensation Committee periodically meets in executive session without members of management present. The Compensation Committee has authority under its charter to retain, approve fees for and terminate advisors, consultants and agents as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee reviews the total fees paid to outside compensation consultants by us to ensure that the consultant maintains its objectivity and independence when rendering advice to the Compensation Committee.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee during 2025 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell until her passing in July 2025. On July 29, 2025, the board of directors of AXT, Inc. appointed Mr. Leonard J. Leblanc as a member of its Board, effective immediately, to fill the vacancy on the Board due to the passing of Ms. Christine Russell. The Board has determined that all members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are “independent” as the term is defined by applicable Nasdaq listing standards and SEC rules. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for evaluating and selecting director nominees, determining criteria for selecting new directors, developing and reviewing on an ongoing basis the adequacy of the corporate governance principles and guidelines adopted by the Board, overseeing the evaluation of the Board and committees of the Board, and adopting, approving, monitoring and enforcing compliance with our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Director Nominations

Director Qualifications. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following factors in reviewing possible candidates for nomination as director:

●

the appropriate size of our Board and its committees;

●

the perceived needs of the Board for particular skills, background and business experience;

●

the skills, background, reputation, and business experience of nominees compared to the skills, background, reputation, and business experience already possessed by other members of the Board;

●

nominees’ independence from management;

●

applicable regulatory and listing requirements, including independence requirements and legal considerations, such as antitrust compliance;

●

the benefits of a constructive working relationship among directors; and

●

the desire to balance the considerable benefit of continuity with the periodic injection of the fresh perspective provided by new members.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s goal is to assemble a Board consisting of a variety of perspectives and skills derived from high quality business and professional experience. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a formal policy with respect to diversity, but it does consider Board candidates and/or nominees who represent a mix of backgrounds, diversity of race and ethnicity, gender, age, skills and experience that enhance the quality of the Board’s deliberations and decisions. Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem, from time to time, are in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that it is important that at least one member of the Board should meet the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by SEC rules. Under applicable listing requirements, at least a majority of the members of the Board must meet the definition of “independent director.” The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also believes it appropriate for one or more key members of our management to participate as a member of the Board.

Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem, from time to time, are in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders.

Identification and Evaluation of Nominees for Director. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the current members of the Board willing to continue in service. Current members of the Board with skills and experience that are relevant to our business and who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination, balancing the value of continuity of service by existing members of the Board with that of obtaining a new perspective. If any member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or the Board decides not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will identify the desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria above. Current members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board are polled for suggestions as to individuals meeting the criteria of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Research may also be performed to identify qualified individuals.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers properly submitted stockholder recommendations for candidates for membership on the Board. Our Bylaws contain provisions which address the process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board at our annual meeting of stockholders. In addition to satisfying the requirements of our Bylaws, stockholders who intend to nominate a candidate to stand for election to the Board at our annual meeting of stockholders, other than the candidates we have nominated, must also comply with the additional requirements of Rule 14a-19 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Candidates so recommended will be reviewed using the same process and standards for reviewing candidates identified above under “Identification and Evaluation of Nominees for Director.” In order to be evaluated in connection with the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s established procedures for evaluating potential director nominees, any recommendation for director nominees submitted by a stockholder must be sent in writing to the Corporate Secretary, 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, at least 120 days prior to the anniversary of the date of the proxy statement that was mailed to stockholders in connection with the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders and must contain the following information:

●

the candidate’s name, age, contact information and present principal occupation or employment;

●

a description of the candidate’s qualifications, skills, background, and business experience during, at a minimum, the last five years, including his/her principal occupation and employment and the name and principal business of any corporation or other organization in which the candidate was employed or served as a director; and

●

a statement signed by the candidate that the candidate is willing to be considered and willing to serve as a director if nominated and elected.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate incumbent directors, as well as candidates for director nominee submitted by directors, management, and stockholders consistently using the criteria stated in this policy and will select the nominees that in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s judgment best suit the needs of the Board at that time.

Communications with Directors

Stockholders may communicate with the Board by writing to us at AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Your letter should indicate that you are an AXT stockholder. Stockholders who would like their submission directed to a member of the Board may so specify, and the communication will be forwarded as appropriate. Depending on the subject matter, management will (i) forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed; (ii) attempt to handle the inquiry directly, for example where it is a request for information about us or it is a stock related matter; or (iii) not forward the communication if it is primarily commercial in nature, comprises spam, junk mail, mass mailings, product complaints or inquiries, job inquiries, business solicitations, or relates to otherwise inappropriate matters.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.

Board Leadership Structure

Mr. Jesse Chen currently serves as the lead independent director and was Chairman of the Board until August 12, 2021. Dr. Morris S. Young currently serves as our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Morris S. Young was appointed Chairman of the Board on August 12, 2021.

The Board believes the combined role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, together with the role of the lead independent director, appropriately balances our leadership. The lead independent director chairs Board meetings when the Chairman of the Board is not present, including all executive sessions of the independent directors without management present. The lead independent director has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors and serves as the liaison between the independent directors and the Chairman of the Board on sensitive issues.

Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

The Board’s risk oversight function is administered through Board committees. Generally, the committee with subject matter expertise in a particular area is responsible for overseeing the management of risk in that area. For example, the Audit Committee oversees the management of financial, accounting, internal control and cybersecurity risks, the Compensation Committee oversees the management of risks in the Company’s compensation programs, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees compliance with Company policies.

We have an internal audit function that reports directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee reviews and approves the internal audit plan once a year and receives periodic updates of internal audit activity in meetings held at least quarterly throughout the year. Updates include discussion of audit project results, quarterly assessment of internal controls and risks of fraud.

In carrying out their risk oversight duties, the committees review management’s implementation of risk policies and procedures, and review reports from management, independent auditors, internal audit, legal counsel, regulators and outside experts, as appropriate, regarding risks the Company faces.

The Board and its committees are committed to ensuring effective risk management oversight and work with management to ensure that effective risk management strategies are incorporated into the Company’s culture and day-to-day business operations.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all of our employees and directors, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Controller, which is available under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com. In addition, we will provide a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics upon request made in writing to us at AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, attention: Corporate Secretary. We will disclose any amendment to the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, or waiver of any of its provisions, applicable to an executive officer or director under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of our Compensation Committee during 2025 were Dr. David C. Chang, Jesse Chen and Christine Russell until her passing in July 2025. On July 29, 2025, the board of directors of AXT, Inc. appointed Mr. Leonard J. Leblanc as a member of its Board, effective immediately, to fill the vacancy on the Board due to the passing of Ms. Christine Russell. None of the members of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of AXT. During fiscal 2025, no member of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K. During fiscal 2025, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or on a board of directors of another entity any of whose executive officers served on our Compensation Committee or our Board.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in addition to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Audit Committee Charter, Compensation Committee Charter and Nominating and Governance Committee Charter. These materials are available under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com. A printed copy of these materials may be obtained by any stockholder upon request made in writing to us at AXT, Inc., 4281 Technology Drive, Fremont, CA 94538, attention: Corporate Secretary.

PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), our stockholders are entitled to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement. This proposal, commonly known as a "say-on-pay" proposal, gives our stockholders the opportunity to express their views on the design and effectiveness of our executive compensation programs.

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are intended to ensure that our compensation and benefits policies attract, motivate and retain key employees necessary to support our operations and our strategic growth. We urge our stockholders to read the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" of this proxy statement, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and the related tables and disclosures, for a more complete understanding of how the Company’s executive compensation policies and procedures operate. We believe that our executive compensation programs are appropriate and aligned with the Company’s performance.

We are asking our stockholders to indicate their support for our Named Executive Officers compensation as described in this proxy statement by voting “FOR” the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in the Company’s proxy statement for the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby approved.”

Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively at which a quorum is present, will be required to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes have no effect on the vote.

Even though this say-on-pay vote is advisory and therefore will not be binding on the Company, our Compensation Committee and our Board value the opinions of our stockholders. Accordingly, to the extent there is a significant vote against the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and our Compensation Committee will evaluate what actions may be necessary or appropriate to address those concerns. For example, following the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, our Board and Compensation Committee adopted at-risk, performance-based equity awards as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. We hold an advisory vote on executive compensation each year and will hold another advisory vote at our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this proxy statement.

PROPOSAL NO. 3

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board has selected BPM LLP (“BPM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. BPM has acted in such capacity since its appointment in fiscal 2004. A representative of BPM is expected to be present at the annual meeting, with the opportunity to make a statement if the representative desires to do so, and is expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 by BPM:

	Fiscal 2025		Fiscal 2024
Audit Fees (1)	$	1,287,919	$	1,070,263
Audit-Related Fees	$	—	$	—
Tax Fees (2)	$	181,485	$	190,123
All Other Fees	$	—	$	—
Total Fees	$	1,469,404	$	1,260,386

(1)

Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, review of our quarterly condensed consolidated financial statements and services that are normally provided by BPM in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

(2)	Tax fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with federal and state tax return review, amendment and preparation.

Review of Auditor Independence

The Audit Committee has determined that none of the services rendered by BPM is incompatible with maintaining BPM’s independence as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Pre-approval of Audit Fees

The Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. These services may include audit services, audit‑related services, tax services, transfer pricing analysis and other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one year, and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a specific budget. The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly with our management and representatives of our independent registered public accounting firm to, among other things, review the results of the annual audit and quarterly reviews and discuss the consolidated financial statements, review the adequacy of accounting and financial controls, review our critical accounting policies, and review and approve any related party transactions. The Audit Committee meets separately, at least once each quarter, with the independent registered public accounting firm. We maintain procedures for the receipt, retention, and handling of complaints, including complaints made anonymously, which the Audit Committee oversees.

All services provided by BPM for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, were pre-approved by the Audit Committee. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, none of the total hours expended on the Company’s financial audit by BPM were provided by persons other than BPM’s full-time permanent employees.

Vote Required and Board of Directors Recommendation

Although ratification by stockholders is not required by law, the Board has determined that it is desirable to request approval of this selection by the stockholders. Notwithstanding its selection, the Board, in its discretion, may appoint a new independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if the Board believes that such a change would be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of BPM the Board may reconsider its selection.

The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of our common stock cast affirmatively or negatively at the annual meeting of stockholders, at which a quorum is present, will be required to ratify the appointment of BPM as our independent registered public accounting firm. Abstentions have no effect on the vote.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The information contained in this report shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that AXT specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act.

The Audit Committee oversees our financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for the consolidated financial statements and the reporting process, including internal control systems. BPM, our independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of our audited consolidated financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee has met with BPM, with and without management present, to discuss the overall scope of BPM’s audit, the results of its examinations and the overall quality of our financial reporting.

The Audit Committee currently consists of three directors, each of whom, in the judgment of the Board, is an “independent director” as defined in the listing standards for The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee acts pursuant to a written charter that has been adopted by the Board. A copy of this charter is posted under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com.

The Audit Committee has discussed and reviewed the audited consolidated financial statements with management, and has discussed and reviewed with our independent registered public accounting firm all matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”).

The Audit Committee has received from BPM the written disclosures and letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firm’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence, and satisfied itself as to the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that our audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

	AUDIT COMMITTEE

	Leonard LeBlanc, Chair
	David C. Chang
	Jesse Chen

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following sets forth information regarding our current non-director executive officers.

Gary L. Fischer was appointed as our Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary in August 2014. From June 2014 to August 2014, Mr. Fischer served as a financial consultant to the Company. Prior to serving as a financial consultant to the Company, Mr. Fischer served as a consultant to eRide, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company that develops both GPS devices and software for location-based services, since 2009. Prior to that position, Mr. Fischer served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of eRide from 2005 until 2009, when eRide was acquired. From 1993 to 2005, Mr. Fischer held various positions at Integrated Silicon Solution, Inc., a leader in advanced memory solutions, most recently as President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Fischer has a B.A. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.

Information regarding Dr. Morris S. Young, our Chief Executive Officer, is set forth under Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The following compensation discussion and analysis provides information related to the Company’s executive compensation program for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, with respect to our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), who were:

●

Morris S. Young, Chief Executive Officer; and

●

Gary L. Fischer, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary

Executive Summary

AXT is a materials science company that develops and produces high-performance compound and single element semiconductor substrates, also known as wafers. Our substrate wafers are used when a typical silicon substrate wafer cannot meet the performance requirements of a semiconductor or optoelectronic device. Two of our consolidated subsidiaries produce and sell certain raw materials some of which are used in our substrate manufacturing process and some of which are sold to other companies.

AXT Highlights 2025

The Board of Directors focuses on performance and achievements. Some of the highlights in 2025 include the following:

●

We exited the year well prepared for a unique business opportunity for AXT indium phosphide wafers-We have the people, the technology, the customers and ownership in a robust supply chain;

●

The demand for InP wafers has increased attention from both customers and investors;

●

The secondary offering raised gross proceeds of approximately $100 million in late December. The share price has gone up since then;

●

AXT’s market cap reached new all-time highs during the first quarter of 2026;

●

Established detailed procedures to comply with the February 4, 2025 export requirements implemented by China's Ministry of Commerce;

●

First indium phosphide permits received in late May, revenue in the second half 2025 was up 27% over the first half of 2025;

●

Reduced Operating Expense over 2024 by $5.4 million ($33.2 million vs $38.6 million, 14%);

●

Initiated manufacturing capacity expansion for indium phosphide and set the goal to double capacity by the end of 2026;

●

Further increased our focus on 6-inch InP wafers;

	●	Held Capital Expenditures flat year on year, just below $6 million; and

	●	Strengthened cybersecurity software, hardware and employee training.

Compensation Summary 2025:

●

The Board of Directors continued to link 50% of the annual equity award to a defined financial metric for the coming year and continued to also require four years to fully vest. The “At-Risk” portion of the shares for 2025 were earned because the financial metric relating to our annual revenue for 2025 was achieved and exceeded;

●

The last previous salary increase for the NEOs was in November of 2021 and as a result the NEOs had fallen below the 50^th percentile of the peer group determined by Compensia. To bring the salaries to the 50th percentile the Chief Executive Officer's salary was increased by 8.1% and the Chief Financial Officer’s salary was increased by 8.8%, effective November 1, 2025;

●

The first quarter cash bonuses were converted to Restricted Stock Awards; and

●

The 40% discretionary portion of the NEO bonus was reduced or eliminated because we were not profitable.

Features of Executive Compensation Program

The Board of Directors establishes non-equity incentive performance targets as well as equity incentive performance targets. Non-equity incentive performance targets are measured against specific financial metrics as well as strategic programs such as strategic planning, business development, market penetration, manufacturing execution and efficiency among other targets. Our executive compensation program includes the following features designed to focus on pay for performance and stockholder value while more closely aligning the interests of our Named Executive Officers with those of our stockholders:

●

Pay for Performance. We link pay and performance by establishing corporate financial performance metrics under our Executive Incentive Plan and grant a substantial portion of pay in the form of equity awards that vest over multiple years;

●

No Guaranteed Bonuses. We did not provide any guaranteed bonuses to our executive officers for fiscal 2025;

●

Compensation Consultant. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) seeks input from Compensia, an independent compensation consultant retained directly by the Committee in connection with its oversight of the executive compensation program;

●

Target the 50^th percentile. We target compensation to match the 50^th percentile of our peer group compensation notwithstanding the deep industry experience of management;

●

Annual Say on Pay. We conduct annual “say-on-pay” advisory votes;

●

No 280G Tax Gross-ups. We do not provide for any golden parachute tax gross-ups;

●

No Option Repricings. No option repricings are permitted under our 2025 Equity Incentive Plan;

●

No Excessive Executive Perquisites. Our executive officers generally receive only the same benefits and perquisites made available to all of our employees;

●

No Hedging or Pledging. We prohibit our executive officers from pledging or hedging of our common stock; and

●

Clawback. We maintain a clawback policy with respect to incentive compensation as described below in “Forfeiture of Awards”.

Overview of Executive Compensation Program and Philosophy

Our philosophy with respect to our executive compensation program is to provide a total compensation package to our executive team that is competitive with the prevailing practices for our industry and markets. We also believe that there should be a strong link between pay and performance, both at the Company level and the individual level. Although we believe that exceptional individual performance should be rewarded, we believe that such rewards should not be awarded unless there has been strong Company performance together with the strong individual performance.

Our executive compensation program is intended to attract, motivate and retain the key employees necessary to support our operations and our strategic growth and create value for our stockholders. To meet these objectives, we have adopted the following overarching policies:

●

Pay total compensation that is competitive with the prevailing practices of other companies of similar size and in similar industries. We rely on a compensation consultant and generally target the 50^th percentile of our peer group for salary, target cash bonus opportunity, and long-term equity incentive compensation;

●

Use total cash compensation (salary plus annual cash bonus, payable quarterly) to recognize appropriately each individual officer’s scope of responsibility, role in the organization, experience and contributions;

●

Reward performance of our NEO's by:

●

providing short-term bonus compensation by establishing a bonus plan to reward achievement at specified levels of Company financial and individual officer performance, with a significant portion of each officer’s goals tied to key financial measures, including Company‑specific measures comprising achievement of targeted revenue, gross profit, operating expense, and net income levels, all being line items upon which executive officer performance can have a significant impact and that are linked to beneficial financial performance improvement and, therefore, value to our stockholders. In addition, a portion of each officer’s performance goals is related to individual metrics as determined by the Compensation Committee; and

●

providing long-term incentives in the form of restricted stock awards, in order to retain those individuals with the leadership and management abilities necessary for increasing long-term stockholder value while more closely aligning the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders. In 2025, we continued our practice of granting 50% of the annual award of long-term incentives based on and subject to achievement of a specific financial performance metric for the coming year, but still requiring four-year vesting.

On May 15, 2025, we held a non-binding, stockholder advisory vote on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay vote. Our stockholders approved the compensation of our Named Executive Officers, with 88.4% of the votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay resolution. As we evaluated our compensation program throughout fiscal 2025, we were mindful of the strong support our stockholders expressed for our philosophy of linking compensation to performance. For fiscal 2025, our Committee retained our general approach to executive compensation. This included a continued emphasis on pay for performance through the use of cash bonus and performance-based restricted stock awards that reward our Named Executive Officers for achievement of the applicable performance goals.

Components of Our Executive Compensation Program

There are five major elements that comprise our executive officer compensation program: (i) base salary; (ii) annual cash bonus, payable quarterly and based on performance; (iii) long-term incentives, such as restricted stock awards; (iv) retirement benefits provided under a 401(k) plan; and (v) perquisites and benefit programs that are generally available to all of our employees. We have selected these elements because each is considered useful and/or necessary to meet one or more of the principal objectives of our compensation policies. Base salary is set with the goal of adequately compensating employees on a day-to-day basis for the time spent and the services they perform. Bonus target percentages are set with the goal of rewarding employees for performance at specified levels of Company financial and individual officer achievement. Both salary and bonus target percentages are also set at levels intended to attract and retain employees. Our restricted stock awards are intended to provide an incentive and reward for the achievement of long-term business objectives, including achievement of our financial goals, our growth, business development, market penetration, product development, upgrades to manufacturing, retaining key employees and more. We believe that these elements of compensation, when combined, are effective, and will continue to be effective, in achieving the objectives of our executive compensation program.

Oversight of Executive Compensation and Role of the Board, the Committee, and Management

Our executive compensation program is overseen and administered by the Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors as determined in accordance with various Nasdaq and SEC rules. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. A copy of the charter is available under the “Investors” section on our website at www.axt.com.

The Committee meets regularly with our Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Young, to obtain recommendations with respect to Company compensation programs, practices and packages for executives. Dr. Young made recommendations to the Committee on the base salary, bonus targets and equity compensation for the other member of the executive team for fiscal 2025 compensation. The Committee considers, but is not bound by and does not always accept, Dr. Young’s recommendations with respect to executive compensation. For fiscal 2025 executive compensation, the Committee considered Dr. Young's recommendations and views on what would motivate his team financially, both in terms of long-term and short-term compensation and approved compensation changes for the Named Executive Officers generally in line with his recommendations based on market information provided by Compensia, an independent compensation consulting firm, retained by the Committee.

Dr. Young attended most of the Committee’s meetings, but the Committee also regularly held executive sessions not attended by any members of management or Dr. Young, a non-independent director. The Committee discussed Dr. Young’s compensation package with him, but made decisions with respect to Dr. Young’s compensation without him present. From time to time the Committee recommends to the Board changes to Dr. Young’s compensation and the independent members of the Board must approve such changes. The Committee has not delegated any of its authority with respect to the compensation of executive officers.

The practices and policies followed by our Committee in setting executive officer compensation, include the assessment of the appropriate allocation between current base salary compensation, short-term cash bonus compensation, and long-term equity-based compensation. Other considerations include our business objectives, competitive practices and trends, and regulatory requirements. The Committee reviews the executive compensation program applicable to executive officers on at least an annual basis, other than retirement and other generally available benefits, which are reviewed from time to time to ensure that benefit levels remain competitive, but are not included in the annual determination of an executive’s compensation package. In setting compensation levels for a particular executive, the Committee takes into consideration the proposed compensation package as a whole including the proposed performance targets as well as market information (as described further below), the executive’s past and expected future contributions to our business, internal equity, and certain other factors the Committee deems relevant.

Role of Compensation Consultant

The Committee has the authority to engage its own independent advisors to assist in carrying out its responsibilities. For a number of years, including 2024 and 2025, the Committee retained Compensia to review our executive compensation practices. Compensia advises the Committee on the principal aspects of executive compensation, including base salaries, bonuses and long-term equity incentives, as well as target total, direct compensation (which consists of salary, target bonus and long-term equity incentives). Compensia also reported on its evaluation of the competitiveness of our executive officer compensation program as compared to peer companies. Compensia provided market information about the competitive framework for executive pay and performance‑based incentives. Consistent with the Company’s compensation philosophy, the Committee generally targets the 50^th percentile of the peer group determined by Compensia for each key element of compensation, other than our 401(k) plan and perquisites and benefit programs.

In 2024 and 2025, representatives of Compensia communicated with the chair of the Committee outside of meetings with the Committee. Compensia reports to the Committee and did not perform services for the Company other than for the Committee. Based on the consideration of the various factors as set forth in the rules of Nasdaq, the Committee does not believe that its relationship with Compensia and the work of Compensia on behalf of the Committee have raised any conflicts of interest.

Peer Group

In order to determine each officer’s target total cash compensation (salary and bonuses) in effect at the beginning of fiscal 2025, the Committee reviewed compensation information from a peer group of 16 companies identified by Compensia in August 2025 and reviewed by the Committee, with input from our management. Each company within the peer group is a publicly traded high-technology company. However, given the fact that no U.S. public companies directly compete with AXT, the peer group was composed largely of semiconductor companies, including semiconductor companies that use non-silicon wafer substrates. The peer group consisted of companies that are generally considered “small-cap” companies and included companies with market capitalizations and annual revenues both greater than and less than ours. All are companies in which we believe could compete with us for executive officer talent. The peer group upon which the Committee relied for decisions relating to executive compensation program consisted of the following companies:

Alpha & Omega Semiconductor Limited

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.

CEVA, Inc.

FARO Technologies

Mitek Systems

Pixelworks

Quantum

Turtle Beach

Vishay Precision Group

Backblaze

Inseego

SmartRent

Amtech Systems

Kopin

GSI Technology

KVH Industries

Data on the compensation practices of the above mentioned peer group was gathered by Compensia through publicly available information. The Committee relied upon Compensia to compare compensation levels of our executive officers against the levels for executive officers in applicable roles at the above peer group companies, generally to ensure that our executive compensation program remained competitive in the market for continuing to recruit, retain, and incentivize our executive officers and to reward them appropriately for performance achieved. The data was gathered by Compensia with respect to base salary, bonuses, target total cash compensation, long-term equity incentives, and target total direct compensation. The peer group data was not used for purposes of setting any generally available benefits, such as 401(k) plans or health care coverage.

Base Salary

The annual base salaries for our Named Executive Officers in effect during fiscal 2025 were as follows:

	Base Salary
	January 1, 2025
	to October 31,		Effective
	2025		November 1, 2025
Morris S. Young, Chief Executive Officer	$	479,000	$	518,000
Gary L. Fischer, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary	$	354,000	$	385,000

The Committee considered current peer group salary data that it received from Compensia in August of 2025. As there had been no salary increases since November 2021, the data showed that both officers’ salary levels were below the 50th percentile of the peer group. Effective November 1, 2025, Dr. Young's salary was increased to $518,000 representing an 8.1% increase and Mr. Fischer's salary was increased to $385,000 representing an 8.8% increase.

Executive Incentive Plan

The Executive Incentive Plan is an incentive bonus program for key executive officers that is intended to increase stockholder value and the success of the Company by motivating employees to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve the Company’s objectives. As in previous years, the Executive Incentive Plan for fiscal 2025 included performance metrics to reflect certain of the Company’s business objectives set forth in its operating plan for the fiscal year.

In determining the incentive opportunities for our officers under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee considered its philosophy to use total cash compensation (salary plus cash bonus) to recognize appropriately each individual officer’s scope of responsibility, role in the organization, experience and contributions. The Committee believes that the terms and target bonus opportunities of the Executive Incentive Plan are consistent with market information provided by Compensia which displays the 50^th percentile of the peer group as reviewed by the Committee in Q4 2025.

The Executive Incentive Plan is administered by the Committee, provides that the actual bonus payment for our Chief Executive Officer is subject to the approval of the Board. The Committee, in its sole discretion, selects the eligible employees who will be participants for any performance period. Participation in the Executive Incentive Plan is in the sole discretion of the Committee, on a performance period by performance period basis. Dr. Young also presents bonus amounts intended for other executives which are discussed by the Committee. For fiscal 2025, each of our Named Executive Officers participated in the Executive Incentive Plan.

Under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, establishes a target award for each Named Executive Officer, which may be a percentage of a participant’s annual base salary as of the beginning or end of the performance period, a fixed dollar amount, or such other amount based on such other formula as the Committee determines. Each performance period, the Committee, in its sole discretion, will establish a bonus pool, which pool may be established before, during or after the applicable performance period. Actual awards will be paid from the bonus pool. The Committee, in its sole discretion, determines the performance goals applicable to any target award. The performance goals are financial targets or other objective goals, but the Executive Incentive Plan also allows subjective criteria to be included. The Committee also has the discretion to increase, decrease or eliminate any award under the Executive Incentive Plan.

Each actual award, if any, is paid solely from the general assets of the Company. Payment of each actual award shall be made as soon as practicable after the end of the performance period to which the actual award relates and after the actual award is approved by the Committee, but generally not later than March 15 of the year immediately following completion of the performance period. Each actual award is paid in cash (or its equivalent) in a single lump sum.

In establishing the incentive bonus program for fiscal 2025 under the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee set four quarterly performance periods, coinciding with the quarterly corporate objectives set forth in the Company’s annual operating plan for fiscal 2025 (the “Operating Plan”). The Committee determined that actual awards would be based upon achievement of corporate financial targets (the “Corporate Targets”) and individual performance. Achievement of the Corporate Targets represented 60% of the actual award, and individual performance represented 40% of the actual award.

The Operating Plan was approved by the Board to guide and drive the Company’s business for the fiscal year, developed with consideration for the markets in which the Company competes, and designed to result in improved business performance for the Company. Individual performance under the Executive Incentive Plan also was assessed by the Committee based on actual performance as compared to agreed upon performance targets and the Committee’s expectations that the individual will perform at high levels in his roles and responsibilities and make significant contributions individually in achieving the Operating Plan goals and objectives.

The Corporate Targets were comprised of the following four financial targets, determined on accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) basis: (1) total revenue (“Total Revenue Target”), (2) gross profit (“Gross Profit Target”), (3) operating expense (“Operating Expense Target”) and (4) net income (“Net Income Target”). The actual quarterly Corporate Targets were set forth in the Operating Plan, and approved by the Board. The Committee made no change to the structure and weighted components used in the previous year. The Corporate Targets were weighted 10% for each of the Total Revenue Target, Gross Profit Target and Operating Expense Target and 30% for the Net Income Target for a total of 60% of the target award. Individual performance targets are both objective, for example penetrating specific new accounts, proper supervision and development of key executives, proper corporate financial reporting and controls, corporate training sessions, progress on the possible IPO in China, and subjective such as corporate leadership, company culture and dedication.

The Committee approved threshold, target and maximum levels of performance that were required to be achieved with respect to the Corporate Targets for each of the four quarters in 2025 and their corresponding bonus payout eligibility levels, as follows:

Executive Incentive Plan Corporate Targets for 2025

Corporate Target

Percentage of Achievement Required
Under Operating Plan

Payout Upon Applicable Level of
Achievement Under Operating Plan

Net Income Target

Below 70%

70% (threshold)

100% (target)

150% (maximum)

70% (threshold)

100% (target)

150% (maximum

Each of:

Total Revenue Target,

Gross Profit Target and

Operating Expense Target

Below 90%

90% (threshold)

100% (target)

150% (maximum)

90% (threshold)

100% (target)

150% (maximum)

For fiscal 2025, for each 1% increase in the performance of a Corporate Target over the threshold, the actual award increased by 1%, up to a maximum of 150%. The Net Income Target was required to be achieved at a minimum of 70% of the Operating Plan for threshold achievement, 100% of the Operating Plan for target achievement, and 150% or greater under the Operating Plan for maximum achievement. The applicable weighted portion of the target award payable for each fiscal quarter could vary from 70% at threshold achievement of the Net Income Target to 150% at maximum achievement of the Net Income Target, with target achievement of the Net Income Target resulting in 100% payout with respect to the portion of the target award attributable to the Net Income Target. Each of the Total Revenue Target, Gross Profit Target, and Operating Expense Target (each, an “Additional Target”) was required to be achieved at a minimum of 90% of the Operating Plan for threshold achievement, 100% of the Operating Plan for target achievement, and 150% or greater under the Operating Plan for maximum achievement. Based on actual performance, the applicable weighted portion of the target award payable for each fiscal quarter could vary from 90% at threshold achievement of the applicable Additional Target to 150% at maximum achievement of the applicable Additional Target, with target achievement of the applicable Additional Target resulting in 100% payout with respect to the portion of the target award attributable to that performance objective.

For fiscal 2025 the financial targets for revenue, gross profit, operating expense and net income were as follows:

(Plan in thousands)	Year 2025 Operating Plan Key Metrics				Total
	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	2025
Revenue	$19,356	$ 17,973	$ 19,865	$ 20,100	$ 77,294
Gross Profit	(1,240)	1,433	2,534	2,989	5,716
Operating Expense	9,034	8,178	8,950	8,900	35,062
Net Loss	(8,798)	(7,008)	(5,826)	(5,414)	(27,046)

The resulting achievement for the financial targets was as follows:

(Actual in thousands)	Year 2025 Operating Plan Key Metrics Achievement				Total
	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	2025
Revenue	$ 19,356	$ 17,974	$ 27,955	$ 23,041	$ 88,326
Gross Profit	(1,241)	1,433	6,224	4,826	11,242
Operating Expense	9,034	8,178	7,347	8,659	33,218
Net Loss	(8,798)	(7,008)	(1,906)	(3,548)	(21,260)

Individual performance was weighted at 40% of the target award and the individual portion of the award payable was capped at 150% of the individual target award. For fiscal 2025, the Committee made assessments regarding individual performance on a quarterly basis with the assistance of the Chief Executive Officer for the Named Executive Officer other than himself. The determination was based on actual performance as compared to agreed upon performance targets and the Committee’s general assessment of the Named Executive Officer’s roles, responsibilities, and expected contributions individually in achieving the Operating Plan goals and objectives, for the applicable fiscal quarter.

The fiscal 2025 annualized target bonus opportunity, expressed in dollar amount as a percentage of the named executive officer’s base salary earned during fiscal 2025 is as set forth below. The target bonus for both Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer, as a percentage of salary, was below the peer group because the salaries were below the peer group until adjusted November 1, 2025.

	Target Bonus
	Opportunity		Target Bonus Opportunity As
Named Executive Officer	Amount		Percentage of Base Salary
Morris S. Young	$	479,000		100.0	%
Gary L. Fischer	$	212,400		60.0	%

As displayed in tables above, almost all of the financial metrics were met or exceeded in 2025. However, after consideration and discussion, the Committee and management agreed to forgo cash awards for the first quarter and convert the calculated cash bonus amount into vesting Restricted Stock Awards. The first section of the following chart shows the actual bonus paid out in cash in 2025. The second section of the chart shows the dollar value calculated of which only the First Fiscal Quarter was converted into Restricted Stock Awards and the remaining three quarters were paid out in cash.

														Actual Bonus
	First Fiscal			Second Fiscal		Third Fiscal		Fourth Fiscal		Total		Target		as Percent
Named Executive Officer	Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Earned		Bonus (2)		of Target
Morris S. Young	$	(1	)	$	23,950	$	23,950	$	125,000	$	172,900	$	479,000		36	%
Gary L. Fischer	$	(1	)	$	10,620	$	10,620	$	60,000	$	81,240	$	212,400		38	%

														Actual Calculated Bonus
	First Fiscal			Second Fiscal		Third Fiscal		Fourth Fiscal		Total		Target		as Percent
Named Executive Officer	Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Calculated		Bonus		of Target
Morris S. Young	$	74,179	(1)	$	23,950	$	23,950	$	125,000	$	247,079	$	479,000		52	%
Gary L. Fischer	$	32,893	(1)	$	10,620	$	10,620	$	60,000	$	114,133	$	212,400		54	%

(1) In lieu of cash for First Fiscal Quarter, the Named Executive Officers agreed to receive bonus in the form of Restricted Stock Awards pursuant to the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.

(2) The bonus earned for Q4 2025 was paid in Q1 2026.

The Executive Incentive Plan reflects the challenges and difficulties in achieving goals and objectives set forth in the Operating Plan to drive the Company’s performance for the fiscal year. Achievement of either target or maximum payout requires significant efforts by the Named Executive Officers and very high levels of Company performance.

Determination of Corporate Targets for Fiscal 2026

For fiscal 2026, the Committee selected Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer as the participants in the Executive Incentive Plan and divided the fiscal year into four quarterly performance periods. As previously described, achievement of the Corporate Targets represents 60% of the actual award, and achievement of the Individual Targets represents 40% of the actual award. Achievement of the Individual Targets, representing 40% of a participant’s target award, will be determined each quarter by the Committee, pursuant to objectives established by the Committee for each such participant. Each participant’s target award will be based on a percentage of such participant’s annual base salary at the beginning of each quarterly performance period. Due to the current uncertainty resulting from export permit requirements in China and import tariffs in the United States, the Committee has not finalized the Corporate Targets in the Operating Plan for the cash bonuses for 2026.

As explained in the cash bonus portion of this report, in the first quarter no cash bonuses were paid to the Named Executive Officers. Instead, the calculated cash bonuses were converted to Restricted Stock Awards pursuant to the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. The conversion price per share was the average price over the recent 30-day closing price of AXTI stock. The conversion price for the first quarter was $2.23. The following table shows the shares granted instead of cash:

	Amount of RSAs issued in lieu of cash:
Named Executive Officer	Quarter 1		Quarter 2		Quarter 3		Total
Morris S. Young		33,264		—		—		33,264
Gary L. Fischer		14,750		—		—		14,750

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

Since 2020, we have provided long-term incentive compensation through grants of restricted stock awards pursuant to our stockholder-approved equity incentive plans that generally vest over four years. Our equity compensation program is intended to align the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders by creating an incentive for our officers to maximize stockholder value. The equity compensation program also is designed to encourage our officers to remain employed with us despite a very competitive labor market. The Committee believes that appropriate equity incentives are critical to attracting and retaining the best employees in the industry, and that stock awards can be an effective tool for meeting our compensation goal of increasing long-term stockholder value by tying the value of the stock awards to our performance in the future. Compensia provides data derived from our peer group of 16 companies and the Committee used this information in granting restricted stock awards and in determining restricted stock to be the type of award.

Typically, the Committee and Board provide an annual grant of restricted stock in Q4 of each year. The Board has determined that 50% of the annual award will be earned based on achievement of a specific financial performance metric for the upcoming year, in addition to being subject to four-year time vesting. If at least a minimum threshold of the metric is not met, then all of the shares linked to such performance metric are forfeited. Reciprocally, if the threshold is exceeded, additional equity incentives will be earned, still subject to four-year vesting. Historically, we have had strong support from our stockholders regarding our philosophy of linking compensation to performance. We believe our equity incentive program is consistent with the Company’s performance-based pay philosophy and prevalent practices among our peer group.

The number of shares of our common stock subject to stock awards the Company grants to each executive officer generally is based initially on a specified award value that the Committee considers when reviewing market data provided by Compensia. Accordingly, the actual number of shares underlying the stock award may vary depending on fluctuations in stock price. The size of the stock awards and the vesting schedule for each grant are determined based on a variety of factors, including the Committee’s goal to increase the proportion of compensation awarded to executive officers as long-term incentive compensation. For fiscal 2025, in determining the stock awards to be granted to our Named Executive Officers, the Committee considered in particular Company and individual performance, and was assisted by the peer group information provided by Compensia to review the award value and appropriateness of the awards based on market practices. Consistent with our award granting practices in fiscal 2025, we granted stock awards in the form of restricted stock to our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2026. The Company has not granted stock options since 2019 and did not grant stock options to any employees in 2025.

On November 11, 2024, the Committee and the Board determined the number of Restricted Stock Awards to be granted for 2025 and 50% of the award was granted on November 11, 2024. The remaining 50% would be performance-based. On February 18, 2026, the Committee and the Board approved the issuance of the target performance-based restricted stock as previously determined. The financial metric used was fiscal 2025 total Company revenue, determined in accordance with GAAP, of $77,294,000 (at target achievement). If less revenue or more revenue is achieved, then less or more shares would be earned. The following table shows the targeted range of revenue for fiscal 2025:

If the following revenue growth rate is achieved for fiscal 2025:		…then the percentage of the performance-based restricted stock that will be earned is:
≤$65,700,000		0%
$68,020,000		20%
$70,340,000		40%
$72,660,000		60%
$74,980,000		80%
$77,294,000		100%
$79,610,000		120%
$81,930,000		140%
$84,250,000		160%
$86,570,000		180%
≥$88,890,000		200%

The following table shows the performance-based restricted stock awards, target and maximum, available to Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer and represent the second 50% of the awards previously determined for fiscal 2025.

Named Executive Officer	Target Number of Shares Subject to the Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award		Maximum Number of Shares Subject to the Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award
Morris S. Young		111,795		223,590
Gary L. Fischer		38,800		77,600

Based on review of the peer group data, the Committee determined that the 2025 long-term equity incentive awards for Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer, using the target level with respect to the performance-based stock awards, approximated the 50th percentile of the peer group.

On February 18, 2026, the Committee met and certified that the annual revenue achieved for fiscal 2025 was $88.3 million, thus achieving approximately 195% of the targeted performance-based restricted stock awards..

This process was repeated, looking ahead to the year 2026. Using the peer group data provided by Compensia that was based on our peer group on October 28, 2025, the Committee and the Board determined the full amount of the restricted stock award to be granted to each Named Executive Officer. Of this, 50 percent will be time-based and 50 percent will be performance and time based.

The following table shows the equity awards granted to Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer and represent 50% of the total awards to be awarded. The shares awarded are time-vested, vesting annually over four years subject to continued service:

	Time Vested Restricted Stock Awards
Named Executive Officer	Granted October 28, 2025
Morris S. Young		100,000
Gary L. Fischer		37,500

The following table shows the performance-based equity awards granted to Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer and represent the target and maximum amount for the second 50% of the awards determined by the Committee for fiscal 2026. If the target financial metric is exceeded, additional shares are earned on a linear basis and the maximum additional shares earned is capped at 100% of the target. If the minimum financial metric is not achieved, then all performance awards are forfeited.

Named Executive Officer	Target Number of Shares Subject to the Performance-Based Equity Award Determined October 28, 2025		Maximum Number of Shares Subject to the Performance-Based Equity Award
Morris S. Young		100,000		200,000
Gary L. Fischer		37,500		75,000

On some occasions, the Committee and Board may elect to award a special grant in recognition of meritorious efforts and achievements. In fiscal 2025, no special grants were awarded. On February 18, 2026 the Committee reviewed the remaining unvested shares previously granted in lieu of quarterly cash bonuses and elected to accelerate those shares to be fully vested. As a result, 71,294 shares for Dr. Young were vested in full and 34,051 shares for Mr. Fischer were vested in full.

The Committee typically grants any equity awards to executive officers at its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings. All grants of restricted stock awards or other equity awards to newly hired employees are also made by the Committee at scheduled meetings, unless the Board or the Committee determines that unusual circumstances, such as in the case of retention of an executive officer, directors or other employees, call for consideration of the grant of awards other than at a regular quarterly meeting, in which case consideration of and action with respect to such awards may take place at a special meeting or through resolution by unanimous written consent when circumstances require. In addition, grants for a new employee may sometimes be approved at a special meeting or through unanimous written consent. The Committee has not granted, nor does it intend in the future to grant, equity compensation awards to executives in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information that is likely to result in changes to the price of our common stock, such as a significant positive or negative earnings announcement. Similarly, the Committee has not timed, nor does it intend in the future to time, the release of material nonpublic information based on equity award grant dates. Further, because equity compensation awards to executive officers typically vest over a four-year period, with the first 25% vesting after one full year, the value to recipients of any immediate increase in the price of our stock following a grant will be attenuated.

Retirement Benefits under the 401(k) Plan, Executive Perquisites and Generally Available Benefit Programs

We do not maintain a deferred compensation plan, other than our AXT, Inc. Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). The 401(k) Plan is available to all full-time U.S. based employees, including the Named Executive Officers. Under the 401(k) Plan, participating employees are eligible to receive matching contributions from us that are subject to certain vesting requirements based on service with us. We do not provide defined benefit pension plans or defined contribution retirement plans to our executives or other employees other than the 401(k) Plan.

We also offer a number of other benefits to our U.S. based employees, including the Named Executive Officers, pursuant to benefit programs that provide for broad-based employee participation. These benefit programs include medical, dental and vision insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, wellness programs, relocation/extended travel programs and services, educational assistance and certain other benefits.

The 401(k) Plan and other generally available benefit programs allow us to remain competitive, and we believe that the availability of the benefit programs generally enhances employee productivity and loyalty. The main objectives of our benefit programs are to give our employees access to quality healthcare, assistance in achieving retirement financial goals and enhanced health and productivity. These generally available benefits typically do not specifically factor into decisions regarding an individual executive’s total cash compensation or equity award package.

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies

Our Insider Trading Policy restricts the trading of the Company’s stock by our directors, executive officers and all other employees and includes rules regarding trading on insider information, trading windows, trading under a 10b5- 1 plan and blackout periods as declared by us. Hedging transactions, such as zero-cost collars, forward sale contracts, puts, calls or other derivative securities involving the Company’s stock on an exchange or in any other organized market, are prohibited. Short sales, margin accounts and pledges are also prohibited.

Forfeiture of Awards

We adopted a clawback policy, effective as of November 8, 2023, that complies with the new SEC rules under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Under our 2025 Equity Incentive Plan, we may specify in an agreement governing the terms of an award granted under such plan to a participant, including awards granted to our executive officers, that the participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to the award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of the award. Such events may include, but will not be limited to, fraud, breach of a fiduciary duty, restatement of financial statements as a result of fraud or willful errors or omissions, termination of employment for cause, violation of material Company, affiliate and/or subsidiary policies, breach of non-competition, confidentiality, or other restrictive covenants that may apply to the participant, or other conduct by the participant that is detrimental to the business or reputation of the Company, its affiliates and/or its subsidiaries. We also may require the application of such forfeiture provision with respect to any award previously granted to a participant (“clawback”) even without any specified terms being included in any applicable award agreement to the extent required under applicable laws, such as pursuant to our clawback policy as described above.

Change in Control and Severance Benefits

Employment of each of our Named Executive Officers is on an “at-will” basis. We previously entered into employment agreements with Dr. Young and Mr. Fischer pursuant to which they may become entitled to certain compensation and other benefits in connection with certain terminations of employment, including in connection with a change in control of the Company. The Board and Committee believe that these payments and benefits are important in encouraging our executive management team’s continued attention, dedication and continuity with respect to their roles and responsibilities without the distraction that may arise from the possibility of a change in control of the Company or termination by the Company, and that these payments and benefits provide incentive for the executives to continue employment with the Company. The Committee believes that these severance arrangements are competitive relative to the severance arrangements of similarly situated individuals at peer group companies, as periodically reviewed by the Committee with the assistance of Compensia.

Accounting and Tax Considerations

In designing our compensation programs, we take into consideration the accounting and tax effect that each element will or may have on us and the executive officers and other employees as a group. We account for stock awards in accordance with the requirements of Financial Accounting Standard Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. We have not provided any executive officer or director with a gross-up or other reimbursement for tax amounts the executive might pay in relation to Sections 280G and 4999 or Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Section 280G and related Internal Revenue Code sections provide that executive officers, directors who hold significant stockholder interests and certain other service providers could be subject to significant additional taxes if they receive payments or benefits in connection with a change of control that exceeds certain limits, and that we or our successor could lose a deduction on the amounts subject to the additional tax. Section 409A also imposes additional significant taxes in the event that an executive officer, director or service provider receives “deferred compensation” that does not meet the requirements of Section 409A. We structure our equity awards in a manner intended to comply with the applicable Section 409A requirements.

As a result of changes to Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”), effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the exemption for “performance‑based compensation” under Section 162(m) has been repealed. Accordingly, compensation paid to our covered employees to whom Section 162(m) applies no longer will be deductible to us to the extent that their compensation individually exceeds $1 million, unless it qualifies for limited transition relief applicable to certain written arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017. Stock options granted under the 2015 Plan to our Named Executive Officers prior to November 2, 2017, are intended to qualify under Section 162(m) as performance-based compensation. However, given various uncertainties relating to the transition relief under the TCJA, no assurances can be given as to whether the arrangements entered into before November 2, 2017, will qualify as “performance-based compensation” that would be exempt from the $1 million deductibility limit under Section 162(m).

Compensation Committee Report

We, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of AXT, Inc., have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this proxy statement with management. Based on such review and discussion, we have recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

	THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE


	David C. Chang, Chair
	Jesse Chen
	Leonard LeBlanc

Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation earned during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, by our current Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer (together, the “Named Executive Officers”):

										Non-Equity
										Incentive
				Cash		Stock		Option		Plan		All Other
		Salary		Bonus		Awards		Awards		Compensation		Compensation			Total
Name and Principal Position	Year	($)		($)		($)(1)		($)(1)		($)(2)		($)			($)

Morris S. Young	2025	$	479,000	$	—	$	983,482	$	—	$	172,900	$	38,022	(3)	$	1,673,404
Chief Executive Officer	2024	$	479,000	$	—	$	404,029	$	—	$	140,000	$	37,812	(4)	$	1,060,841
	2023	$	479,000	$	—	$	221,354	$	—	$	—	$	37,812	(5)	$	738,166

Gary L. Fischer	2025	$	354,000	$	—	$	366,917	$	—	$	81,240	$	37,369	(6)	$	839,526
Chief Financial Officer	2024	$	354,000	$	—	$	166,538	$	—	$	63,000	$	24,862	(7)	$	608,400
	2023	$	354,000	$	—	$	76,824	$	—	$	—	$	24,862	(8)	$	455,686

(1)

Valuation based on the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes pursuant to ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Amounts shown do not reflect compensation actually received by the Named Executive Officer. Instead, the amounts shown are the value of stock awards calculated based on the grant date fair value as determined pursuant to ASC 718.

(2)	Amounts consist of bonuses earned for services rendered in fiscal years 2023 to 2025. Performance‑based bonuses are generally paid under our Executive Incentive Plan and reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.

(3)	Includes our matching contribution of $19,370 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and our payment on behalf of Dr. Young of $18,652 in term life insurance premiums.

(4)	Includes our matching contribution of $19,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and our payment on behalf of Dr. Young of $18,652 in term life insurance premiums.

(5)	Includes our matching contribution of $19,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan and our payment on behalf of Dr. Young of $18,652 in term life insurance premiums.

(6)	Includes our matching contribution of $14,237 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan, and our payment on behalf of Mr. Fischer of $23,132 in term life insurance premiums.

(7)	Includes our matching contribution of $14,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan, and our payment on behalf of Mr. Fischer of $10,702 in term life insurance premiums.

(8)	Includes our matching contribution of $14,160 under the tax-qualified 401(k) Plan, and our payment on behalf of Mr. Fischer of $10,702 in term life insurance premiums.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to restricted stock awards and other plan-based awards granted to our Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025:

2024 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS FROM THE 2015 PLAN &

Threshold, Target and Maximum Available under Executive Incentive Plan

									All Other		All Other
									Stock		Restricted
			Potential 2025 Payouts Under						Option:		Stock Awards:
			Executive Incentive Plan Awards						Number of		Number of				Grant Date
			But No Payouts Occurred in 2025 (1)						Securities		Shares of		Base Price		Fair Value of
	Grant		Threshold		Target		Maximum		Underlying		Stock or		of Awards		Stock Awards
Name	Date		($)		($)		($)		Options (#)		Units (#)		($/Sh)		($)(2)

Morris S. Young	02/18/25									—		145,059	$	2.23	$	323,482
	10/28/25											100,000		6.60		660,000
		N/A	$	43,110	$	479,000	$	718,500

Gary L. Fischer	02/18/25									—		53,550	$	2.23	$	119,417
	10/28/25											37,500		6.60		247,500
		N/A	$	19,116	$	212,400	$	318,600

(1)

We award bonuses pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan, which provides for the award of annual cash bonuses based upon threshold, target and maximum payout amounts set by the Board at the beginning of each fiscal year. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Plan-Based Awards.” The actual amount paid to each named executive officer for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 was zero as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading, “Cash Bonus.”

(2)

The value of a stock award is based on the fair value as of the grant date of such award determined pursuant to ASC 718, excluding the impact of estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. In fiscal 2025, all equity awards were in the form of restricted stock. No options were awarded in fiscal 2025.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the value of all unexercised options previously awarded to our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2025.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2025

	Option Awards									Stock Awards
												Market
		Number of		Number of						Number of		Value of
		Securities		Securities						Shares or		Shares or
		Underlying		Underlying						Units of		Units of
		Unexercised		Unexercised		Option		Option		Stock That		Stock That
		Options (#)		Options (#)		Exercise		Expiration		Have Not		Have Not
Name	Grant Date(1)	Exercisable		Unexercisable		Price ($)		Date		Vested(#)		Vested($)(2)

Morris S. Young	10/28/2016		85,703		—	$	5.21	10/28/26			—		—
	10/27/2017		89,797		—	$	9.50	10/27/27			—		—
	11/05/2018		172,659		—	$	5.77	11/05/28			—		—
	11/6/2019		204,590		—	$	3.06	11/06/29			—		—
	10/28/2022		—		—		—		—		27,948	$	456,950
	11/10/2023		—		—		—		—		55,897	$	913,916
	11/10/2023		—		—		—		—		111,794	$	1,827,832
	8/20/2024		—		—		—		—		29,844	$	487,949
	10/29/2024		—		—		—		—		16,502	$	269,808
	11/11/2024		—		—		—		—		83,846	$	1,370,882
	2/18/2025		—		—		—		—		111,795	$	1,827,848
	2/18/2025		—		—		—		—		33,264	$	543,866
	10/28/2025		—		—		—		—		100,000	$	1,635,000

Gary L. Fischer	10/28/2016		65,685		—	$	5.21	11/02/25			—		—
	10/27/2017		34,203		—	$	9.50	10/28/26			—		—
	11/05/2018		55,500		—	$	5.77	10/27/27			—		—
	11/6/2019		92,440		—	$	3.06	11/05/28			—		—
	10/28/2022		—		—		—		—		9,700	$	158,595
	11/10/2023		—		—		—		—		19,400	$	317,190
	11/10/2023		—		—		—		—		38,800	$	634,380
	8/20/2024		—		—		—		—		13,233	$	216,360
	10/29/2024		—		—		—		—		9,756	$	159,511
	11/11/2024		—		—		—		—		29,100	$	475,785
	2/18/2025		—		—		—		—		14,750	$	241,163
	2/18/2025		—		—		—		—		38,800	$	634,380
	10/28/2025		—		—		—		—		37,500	$	613,125

(1)

Except as otherwise noted, all option awards granted to Named Executive Officers vest at the rate of ¹/₄ of the underlying shares on the first anniversary of the date of grant and ¹/₄₈ of the shares each month thereafter. After four years, the shares become fully vested and exercisable. Restricted stock awards granted to Named Executive Officers vest over a four-year period, at a rate of 25% on each anniversary of the vesting commencement date.

(2)	The market value of the restricted stock awards that have not vested is calculated by multiplying the number of units that have not vested by the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2025, which was $16.35.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested During Last Fiscal Year

The following table shows all stock options exercised and value realized upon exercise, and the number of shares acquired on vesting and the value realized on vesting by the Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025:

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED FOR FISCAL 2025

Stock Options

Restricted Stock

Number of

Shares

Value Realized

⁽¹⁾

Shares

Value Realized

⁽²⁾

Acquired on

on Exercise

Acquired on

on Vesting

Name

Exercise (#)

($)

Vesting (#)

($)

Morris S. Young

139,204

903,472

229,132

1,701,275

Gary L. Fischer

10,280

28,064

83,077

609,726

(1)	Based on the difference between the market price of our common stock on the date of exercise and the exercise price.

(2)	Reflects the market price of our common stock on the vesting date.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Acceleration of Equity Awards

Stock option grants and restricted stock awards made to our Named Executive Officers and directors under our 2007 Plan provide that in the event of a “Change in Control,” as defined in the 2007 Plan, the vesting and exercisability of the option or restricted stock will accelerate such that the option will become immediately exercisable and vested in full and the restricted stock will be immediately vested in full as of the date of termination or resignation.

Under the 2015 and 2025 Plan, in the event of a merger or a “change in control” (as defined in the 2015 Plan), the Administrator will have authority to determine the treatment of outstanding awards, including, without limitation, that awards be assumed or substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. The Administrator will not be required to treat all outstanding awards similarly.

If the successor corporation does not assume or substitute outstanding awards, then options and stock appreciation rights will become fully vested and exercisable, all restrictions on restricted stock and restricted stock units will lapse, and, with respect to awards with performance-based vesting, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an option or stock appreciation right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a change in control, the Administrator will notify the participant that the option or stock appreciation right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the option or stock appreciation right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

If the successor corporation assumes or substitutes outstanding awards held by a non-employee director and the non-employee director’s status as a director of the Company or a director of the successor company terminates other than upon voluntary resignation by the non-employee director (unless such resignation is at the request of the acquirer), then his or her options and stock appreciation rights will fully vest and become immediately exercisable, all restrictions on restricted stock and restricted stock units held by such non-employee director will lapse, and all performance goals or other vesting requirements will be deemed achieved at 100% and all other terms and conditions met.

If we had been the subject of a change in control that resulted in the termination of employment or resignation for good reason of any of our executive officers or a merger or change in control in which the successor corporation did not assume or substitute outstanding awards as of December 31, 2025, the number of options to purchase our common stock and restricted shares held by each executive officer as indicated below would have accelerated and become immediately exercisable and vested in full as of such date. In addition, based on the difference between the weighted average exercise price of the options and $16.35, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2025, the net value of these options and of unvested restricted shares would be as set forth below:

	Number of
	Options/Shares		Value of Accelerated
Name	Accelerated		Options/Shares(1)
Morris S. Young		715,949	$	11,705,766
Gary L. Fischer		211,039	$	3,450,488

(1)

Based on a common stock price of $16.35 per share, the closing price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on December 31, 2025, less the applicable exercise price for each in-the-money option for which vesting is accelerated. In this calculation, restricted stock awards are valued at $16.35.

Young Employment Contract

On December 4, 2012, we entered into an amended and restated employment offer letter with Dr. Morris S. Young, our Chief Executive Officer. In the event that Dr. Young is terminated without cause, we shall pay Dr. Young an amount equal to twelve (12) months of his then current salary and reimbursement of twenty-four (24) months of health benefits.

Alternatively, if, after a Change of Control (as defined below), Dr. Young’s employment is terminated by us without cause or by Dr. Young as a result of a defined constructive termination, and provided that Dr. Young executes a general release of claims in a form acceptable to AXT or the acquiring company, Dr. Young will receive the following severance benefits: (a) continuing payment of his last base salary for eighteen (18) months after the date his employment terminates; (b) provided he timely elects to continue his health insurance benefits under the applicable COBRA laws, the Company will reimburse him for the premiums necessary to maintain his health insurance coverage for a period of twenty-four (24) months following termination of his employment; and (c) full vesting acceleration and exercisability of his outstanding equity awards.

Further, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in any plan or agreement evidencing the outstanding equity awards held by Dr. Young, in the event of a Change of Control in which the surviving, continuing, successor, or purchasing corporation or other business entity or parent thereof, as the case may be (the “Acquiror”), does not assume the Company’s rights and obligations under the then-outstanding portion of the equity awards held by Dr. Young or substitute for such portion of such equity awards substantially equivalent equity awards for the Acquiror’s stock, then the vesting and exercisability of such equity awards shall be accelerated in full effective as of the date ten (10) days prior to but conditioned upon the consummation of the Change of Control, provided that Dr. Young remains an employee or other service provider with the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control. Except as set forth above, the treatment of stock-based compensation upon the consummation of a Change of Control shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the plans or agreements providing for such awards or options.

For purposes of Dr. Young’s employment agreement, a “Change of Control” generally means a merger, consolidation, sale of substantially all assets of the Company or transfer of beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company by 1 (one) or more shareholders of the Company, in which the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation, sale or transfer do not own at least 50% (fifty percent) of the combined voting power of the capital stock of the Company or surviving or successor corporation or entity immediately after such transaction.

In addition, in the event of a change in control, if Dr. Young’s employment is terminated or he resigns for “good reason” within twelve months after the change in control or a merger or change in control in which the successor corporation did not assume or substitute outstanding awards, then Dr. Young’s stock options will become immediately exercisable and vested as of the date of termination or resignation. See “Acceleration of Equity Awards” above.

If we had terminated Dr. Young’s employment without cause and not as a result of a Change of Control on December 31, 2025, the last business day of our fiscal 2025, Dr. Young would have received severance benefits under his employment agreement equal to (a) a payment of $518,000, equal to twelve (12) months of his current base salary, and (b) reimbursement of twenty-four (24) months of health benefits of $63,207.

Fischer Employment Contract

On August 11, 2014, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Gary L. Fischer, our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In the event that Mr. Fischer is terminated without cause, we shall pay Mr. Fischer an amount limited to the payment of his salary and other earned compensation through the effective date of termination in addition to any severance to which he may be entitled under our severance pay plan or policy or may be granted by the Compensation Committee.

If a change in control of AXT takes place, and within twelve (12) months thereafter, Mr. Fischer incurs an involuntary separation from service, our total liability to Mr. Fischer will be limited to the payment of his salary and other earned compensation through the effective date of the involuntary separation from service plus severance in a gross amount equal to one (1) year of his then current annual salary, plus continuation of coverage in our group health plan for twelve months and acceleration of stock options and any other equity awards.

Release of Claims

As a condition to each executive’s entitlement to receive the base salary amounts and equity award acceleration referenced in the tables on page 19 and page 31, respectively, the executive is required to execute a release of claims against us, which may include a non-competition agreement, which prohibits the executive from working in our industry for a period equal to the greater of one year from the executive’s termination of employment, or, in the case of a change in control, two years from the date of the change in control.

Chief Executive Officer Pay Ratio

Under rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, we are required to calculate and disclose the annual total compensation paid to our median paid employee, as well as the ratio of the annual total compensation paid to the median employee as compared to the annual total compensation paid to our Chief Executive Officer. The paragraphs that follow describe our methodology and the resulting Chief Executive Officer pay ratio.

Measurement Date

We identified the median employee using our employee population, including the employees of our consolidated subsidiaries, on December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 999 employees, which consisted of approximately 24 employees in our headquarters in Fremont, California, one sales professional in France, approximately 529 employees in our factory in Beijing and approximately 445 employees in our factories in Dingxing and Kazuo. In addition, our consolidated subsidiaries had, in total, approximately 457 employees. In aggregate, we and our subsidiaries had approximately 1,456 employees, of whom 1,044 were principally engaged in manufacturing, 177 in sales and administration and 235 in research and development. Of these 1,456 employees, 24 were located in the United States, one in France and 1,431 in China.

Compensation Measure

Under the relevant rules, we are required to identify the median employee by using annual total compensation or any other compensation measure that is consistently applied. We identified the median employee by analyzing annual base salaries and bonuses derived from our payroll systems and the payroll systems of our consolidated subsidiaries. We did not perform adjustments to the compensation paid to part-time employees to calculate what they would have been paid on a full-time basis.

Methodology and Pay Ratio

After applying our methodology, we identified the median employee. Once the median employee was identified, we calculated the median employee’s annual total compensation in accordance with the requirements of the Summary Compensation Table.

Our median employee is located in China, and the annual total compensation as calculated using Summary Compensation Table requirements was $9,540. Our Chief Executive Officer’s annual total compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table was $920,841. Therefore, our Chief Executive Officer to median employee pay ratio is 96.5.

This information is being provided for compliance purposes. Neither the Compensation Committee nor our management used the pay ratio measure in making compensation decisions.

Pay Versus Performance

As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Act and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the below disclosure provides information regarding the relationship between executive “compensation actually paid” for our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) and other Named Executive Officer (“Non-PEO NEO”) and certain financial performance of the Company for the years shown.

SEC Form DEF 14A filed by AXT Inc