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NEWS & VIEWS |
Taipei,
Sunday, November 8, 2009
04:22 (GMT+8)
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Subject: Bits + chips > IC manufacturing |
Driver IC backend supplier revenues down in October 2009 Nov 6, 16:56 Driver IC backend supplier Chipbond Technology saw its October revenues decline by 25.2% to NT$468 million (US$13.39 million) as customers have slowed down their pace of orders, according to the company. The company estimated November revenues to remain similar to levels in October. Read more |
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Nvidia reports growth in fiscal 3Q10 revenues Nov 6, 16:48 Nvidia has reported revenues of US$903.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 (ended October 25, 2009), up 16% from the previous quarter and up slightly from US$897.7 million reported in the same period a year earlier. Read more |
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Chip sales forecast brighter in 2009, says SIA Nov 6, 15:40 The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has revised upward its estimate of global semiconductor sales for 2009 to a 11.6% decline, resetting its previous projection of negative 21.3%. The industry group also gave more positive growth estimates for 2010 and 2011. Read more |
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Spirox strengthens cooperation with Tektronix Nov 6, 15:05 Taiwan-based high-tech equipment and service solutions provider Spirox has expanded its cooperation with Tektronix by adding more of Tektronix' products such as oscilloscopes to its product offerings, and expects revenues generated to account for more than 10% of its total revenues in 2010, according to the company. Read more |
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TSMC clarifies reports on SMIC lawsuit Stockwatch - Nov 6, 10:35 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has filed a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) responding to the verdict recently granted in its favor against Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC). Read more |
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Infineon, TSMC extend collaboration to 65nm Nov 5, 16:35 Infineon Technologies and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) on November 5 announced that their development and production partnership has been extended to a 65nm embedded flash (eFlash) process technology. Based on the agreement, Infineon and TSMC will jointly develop 65nm process technologies for eFlash microcontrollers (MCUs) for automotive, chip card and security applications. Read more |
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Chipbond and IST 4Q09 revenues to drop 20% on quarter Nov 5, 16:23 Chipbond Technology and International Semiconductor Technology (IST) may see sequential revenue drops of almost 20% in the fourth quarter of 2009, in accordance with driver IC design houses' conservative outlooks for the quarter, according to market watchers. Read more |
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TSMC to demand US$1 billion compensation from SMIC Nov 5, 14:51 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will pursue compensation of up to US$1 billion from Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) following a ruling in favor of TSMC delivered by the Alameda County Superior Court on November 3 on their trade secrets trial, according to a lawyer for TSMC. Read more |
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Taiwan equipment makers post mixed 1Q-3Q09 earnings Nov 4, 14:26 Taiwan-based Usun Technology has reported on-year profit growth of 89% for the first three quarters of 2009, whereas fellow equipment maker Csun Manufacturing saw a 54% decline. Both Gallant Precision Machining (GPM) and Kenmec Mechanical Engineering swung to losses in the nine-month period, compared to profits a year ago. Read more |
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Specialty IC foundry VIS conservative about 4Q09 Nov 4, 12:17 Analog/mixed-signal and logic IC specialist Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS) has estimated wafer shipments to decrease by around 30% sequentially in the fourth quarter on a 50% utilization rate. The foundry saw third-quarter revenues grow 27% on quarter to NT$4.34 billion (US$133 million), and shipments increase 25% to 284,000 wafers, according to the company. Read more |
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3Q09 chip growth sets stage for 22% surge in 2010, says Future Horizons Nov 4, 12:12 Chip sales hit US$24.0 billion in September, heralding a 20% quarterly increase on third-quarter 2009, according to Future Horizons. The UK-based research firm has raised its forecast for the 2009 chip market to a 10% drop versus an earlier estimate of minus 14%. Read more |
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UMC to offer more incentives to employees Nov 4, 11:20 United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has decided to distribute performance bonuses among its employees as an incentive to reinforce loyalty. The foundry also plans to sell treasury stock shares to employees at lower-than-market prices, in a move to boost employees' confidence, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
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Chip sales reflect improving market conditions in 3Q09, says SIA Nov 3, 12:31 Worldwide sales of semiconductors in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were US$61.9 billion, an increase of 19.7% from the prior quarter when sales were US$51.7 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Third-quarter sales were 10.1% lower than the US$68.9 billion reported for the like period of 2008. Read more |
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ASE, SPIL speeding up copper wire bonding expansion Nov 2, 16:34 Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) plans to add an additional 2,000 copper wirebonders by the end of 2010, while Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) will add 200-300 copper wirebonders per quarter in the first half of 2010, according to the companies. Read more |
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UMC purchases equipment worth more than US$75 million Nov 2, 16:04 United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) has announced recent equipment purchases from Tokyo Electron, Lam Research International Sarl, and Hitachi High-Technologies totaling about NT$2.47 billion (US$75.85 million). Read more |
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DRAM spot pricing continues going up on tightening supply concerns, says inSpectrum Oct 30, 17:11 Amid concerns about tightening DDR2 supply, DRAM spot pricing continued going up this week (October 26-30). NAND flash pricing, on the other hand, continued trending downward on weakened demand, according to inSpectrum. Read more |
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ASE 3Q profits up 44% on year; ups 2009 capex Oct 30, 16:47 Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) has announced net income of NT$3.19 billion (US$98 million) on revenues of NT$25.2 billion for the third quarter of 2009. The figures showed an on-year drop of 2% in revenues, but a 44% rise in profits. Read more |
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TSMC 40nm yield issues resurface, CEO promises fix by year-end Oct 30, 12:24 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has revealed it recently run into issues with its 40nm process technology impacting yields. Company chairman and CEO Morris Chang pledged the issue will be solved within the quarter. Read more |
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TSMC targets 10% EPS CAGR over 2011-15, says chairman Oct 30, 10:34 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) stands a chance of hitting record revenues and profits in 2010, when demand will rebound stronger than expected, according to company chairman and CEO Morris Chang, without giving specific figures. Chang also revealed TSMC's target for a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for EPS in 2011-2015. Read more |
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TSMC 3Q09 profits almost flat; sees more sales from 45/40nm Oct 29, 15:18 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has announced net income of NT$30.55 billion (US$939 million) on consolidated revenues of NT$89.94 billion for the third quarter of 2009, with both profits and sales showing low single-digit drops on year. Read more |
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SMIC remains unprofitable in 3Q09 Oct 29, 15:11 Semiconductor Manufacturing International (SMIC) saw revenues drop on year in third-quarter 2009, with the quarter's net loss widening from a loss of US$33.38 million in third-quarter 2008. On a sequential basis, the China-based pure-play foundry managed a revenue growth of 20.9% and improved net losses. Read more |
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Belgium-based IMEC to set up R&D center in Taiwan Oct 29, 15:04 Belgium-based Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC) plans to set up a R&D center in Taiwan in 2010 with an aim to accelerate the development of the MEMS market in Taiwan, according to IMEC. Read more |
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UMC to acquire UMCJ through tender offer Oct 29, 14:58 United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) will invest up to 6.9 billion yen (US$76.28 million) to acquire the outstanding shares of UMC Japan (UMCJ), company CEO Shih-Wei Sun announced at an investors conference October 28. UMC currently holds a 50.09% stake in UMCJ. Read more |
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SPIL says 2010 capex to double Oct 29, 11:57 Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) has set its capex budget for 2010 at NT$10 billion (US$307.7 million), doubling from NT$5.3 billion allocated for 2009, according to company chairman Bough Lin. With a capex of NT$3.5 billion for the fourth quarter, the packaging and testing house has revised upward its 2009 capex from the original budget of NT$4 billion. Read more |
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UMC reports highest profit in eight quarters Oct 28, 16:19 United Microelectronics (UMC) has reported its highest quarterly net profit in two years, swinging to a profit of NT$6.09 billion (US$190 million) in the third quarter of 2009 from a loss of NT$1.41 billion in third-quarter 2008. The figure was the company's highest since the third quarter of 2007. Read more |
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Semiconductor recovery to kick off in 4Q09, says iSuppli Oct 28, 15:32 Although global semiconductor revenues are set to decline in 2009 for the second consecutive year, on-year growth is expected to return to the market in the fourth quarter signaling the start of the industry recovery, according to iSuppli. The research firm has estimated that global semiconductor revenues are set to contract by 16.5% in 2009, following a 5.4% decrease in 2008. Read more |
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Testing solution provider Chroma Ate sees 3Q09 profits up 63% Oct 28, 14:48 Chroma Ate, which provides integrated and customized solutions in test and measurement instruments, saw net profits increase 63% sequentially to NT$272 million (US$8.3 million) in the third quarter of 2009. However, the profits showed a 23% decrease from NT$355 million a year ago. Read more |
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PTI raises 2009 capex; chairman bullish on 2010 memory market Oct 28, 14:22 Memory packaging and testing house Powertech Technology (PTI) has raised its capex for 2009 to NT$7 billion (US$216 million) on optimism about the recent market rebound, according to company chairman DK Tsai. PTI in July increased its 2009 capex from NT$3 billion to NT$5 billion. Read more |
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SMIC completes customer qualification of MEMS chip Oct 28, 13:58 Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) has announced the successful function qualification of a MEMS-based chip for Microstaq, a supplier of advanced silicon MEMS-based fluid control solutions. Read more |
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TSMC to pour US$6 billion into 12-inch fab expansion, say equipment suppliers Oct 28, 12:09 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expected to invest up to US$6 billion in the fifth- and fourth-phase capacity expansion at its 12-inch Fab 12 and Fab 14, respectively, with equipment installation slated to kick off in the second half of 2010, according to sources at equipment suppliers. Read more |
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UMC invests in DRAMeXchange Newswatch - Oct 27, 15:32 DRAMeXchange Technology has announced that United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) through a venture capital subsidiary has taken a 10% stake in the company. The memory price tracker has drawn investment from A-Data Technology and Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC). Read more |
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Nanya reportedly to step into CMOS image sensor production Oct 27, 15:12 DRAM maker Nanya Technology has been in talks with CMOS image sensor (CIS) designers Aptina Imaging, Himax Imaging, Omnivision and Pixart Imaging for the possible release of foundry orders, according to market sources. The memory producer is looking to maximize the utilization of its 8-inch facilities by manufacturing CIS chips. Read more |
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UMC snatches 65nm chip orders from TSMC customers, says paper Newswatch - Oct 27, 12:16 United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) recently offered foundry quotes of around US$4,500 per wafer for 65nm process, 10% lower than those from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the Chinese-language newspaper Economic Daily News (EDN) cited unnamed equipment suppliers as reporting on October 26. The lower prices have allowed UMC to snatch 65nm chip orders from TSMC's major clients Qualcomm, Broadcom and MediaTek, the paper said. Read more |
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Testing equipment supplier Chroma Ate to generate more sales from electric car market Oct 26, 14:26 Taiwan-based testing and measurement instrument maker Chroma Ate is expected to see orders from Tesla Motors generate NT$1.5 billion (US$46 million) in 2010, according to market watchers. Revenues from the electric-car maker are estimated at NT$330 million in 2009. Read more |
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GaAs wafer supplier VPEC says 4Q09 revenues to beat seasonal patterns Oct 26, 11:31 Visual Photonics Epitaxy Company (VPEC) expects revenues for the fourth quarter of 2009 to remain similar to levels in the third, thanks to sales contribution from its major customer TriQuint Semiconductor, according to company president MC Chen. TriQuint accounted for over 40% of VPEC's overall revenues for the first three quarters of 2009. Read more |
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Taiwan export orders hit 11-month high in September Oct 26, 10:49 Taiwan received export orders worth US$30.837 billion in September 2009, the highest since November 2008. The value represents a 9.01% sequential increase but a 3% on-year decrease, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) on October 23. Read more |
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Chipbond 3Q09 profits up three-fold Newswatch - Oct 26, 10:33 LCD driver IC packaging and testing house Chipbond Technology enjoyed a net profit of NT$319 million (US$9.85 million), or NT$1.03 per share in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a profit of NT$78 million, or NT$0.18 per share in the same quarter a year ago, according to a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Read more |
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China chip sales to rebound in 2010, says iSuppli Oct 26, 10:23 Following a decline in 2009, the China semiconductor market is expected to rebound vigorously in 2010 as exports of electronic products recover from the global economic crisis, according to iSuppli. Read more |
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IC testing firm Sigurd confirms outsourcing from SMSC Oct 23, 13:58 Taiwan-based IC testing house Sigurd Microelectronics has reached a supply agreement with Standard Microsystems Co (SMSC), a US-based developer of smart mixed-signal connectivity solutions, according to Sigurd chairman Sidney Huang. Under the deal, SMSC will outsource automotive IC testing to Sigurd for car vendors including BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Read more |
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TSMC grabs new orders from China Oct 23, 12:32 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has secured set-top box (STB) IC orders from a subsidiary of China-based home appliance vendor Haier, according to industry sources in China. The foundry is also collaborating with Huawei Technologies and ZTE to tap China's networking chip market, the sources added. Read more |
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Taiwan jobless rate edges down in September Oct 22, 16:51 Taiwan's unemployment rate slid from the record high of 6.13% in August 2009 to 6.04% in September, ending a four-month streak of consecutive increases in the jobless rate, according to statistics published by the government's Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). The jobless rate still remained high at 6.04%, compared to 4.27% a year ago. Read more |
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LCD equipment supplier Mirle says order visibility extended into 2Q10 Oct 22, 15:10 Flat-panel display (FPD) equipment specialist Mirle Automation has secured orders worth NT$2.8 billion (US$86.8 million), and seen its order visibility extend to the second quarter of 2010, according to the company. Of the order backlog, orders worth NT$1.6 billion are from the display industry. Read more |
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CSMC inks licensing deal with IBM for 0.18-micron RF CMOS process Oct 21, 15:57 CSMC Technologies, a China-based specialty foundry provider, has signed an agreement with IBM to license its proprietary 0.18-micron radio frequency (RF) CMOS process. The process technology will be transferred with new capacity being installed at CSMC's 200mm (8-inch) wafer fab in Wuxi, China. Read more |
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North American chip equipment orders return to on-year growth track in September 2009, says SEMI Oct 21, 10:18 September 2009 appears the first time since May 2007 that on-year bookings have risen and is in-line with the gradually improving capital spending outlook for the remainder of this year and into 2010, according to Dan Tracy, senior director of industry research and statistics at SEMI. Read more |
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TSMC and UMC utilization rates surging on demand from networking and wireless sectors Oct 20, 17:06 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) have seen a surge in demand for networking and wireless solutions, according to sources at Taiwan-based IC designers. TSMC's 65nm-process capacity has been almost fully utilized, while UMC's average utilization rate at its 8-inch fabs remains at above 90%. Read more |
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Japan chip equipment orders down 22% on year in September 2009, says SEAJ Oct 20, 16:27 Japan-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers received 61.567 billion yen (US$682.92 million) in orders in September 2009, down 22.2% from the same period in 2008, according to data gathered by the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ). On a sequential basis, the bookings figure was up 11% on the final August level of 55.457 billion. Read more |
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Packaging material and equipment supplier Laser Tek positive about 4Q09 Newswatch - Oct 20, 16:00 Laser Tek, a major supplier of SMD (surface-mount-device) packaging materials and semiconductor equipment in Taiwan, has reported clearer order visibility for LED packagers and laser trimmers through the fourth quarter of 2009. Read more |
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Macronix, Maxchip to step into MEMS foundry services Oct 20, 15:52 Taiwan-based mask ROM and NOR flash maker Macronix International is adjusting the manufacturing process at its 6-inch fab in an attempt to compete for MEMS foundry orders, while Maxchip Electronics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Taiwan-based DRAM maker Powerchip Semiconductor, will add equipment to its 8-inch fab to provide MEMS foundry service, according to industry sources. Read more |
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TSMC acquires MEMS MVD equipment Oct 20, 15:13 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has procured molecular vapor deposition (MVD) equipment developed by US-based Applied MicroStructures (AMST) in order to meet the yield rate of MEMS manufacturing required by Analog Device (ADI), according to market sources. Read more |
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Taiwan science parks see revenue drops narrower in July and August 2009 Oct 19, 16:22 Taiwan's government-run science parks – Hsinchu Science Park (HSP), Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) and Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) – continued to see revenues drop on year during January-August 2009, but the negative growth showed some improvement in July and August, according to the National Science Council (NSC). Read more |
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Notes and corrections |
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A November 2 report incorrectly stated Transcend Information reported net profits of NT$114 million for the third quarter of 2009. The correct figure is NT$1.14 billion. |
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