Taiwan's top-three IC foundries are experiencing a particularly weak third quarter with their combined revenues set to decrease 0.8% sequentially and 3.7% on year, according to Digitimes Research.
Combined revenues of Taiwan's major foundries including TSMC, UMC and VIS are forecast to reach US$8.03 billion in the third quarter of 2015, down from US$8.09 billion in the prior quarter and US$8.33 billion a year earlier, said Digitimes Research.
Mobile chip suppliers started to slow down the pace of orders in the second quarter due to disappointing end-market demand, and have been engaged in inventory adjustments, Digitimes Research indicated. The unfavorable situation led to the lower combined revenues from Taiwan's top foundries in the third quarter despite the period being the traditionally peak season, Digitimes Research said.
Despite the revenue fall, Taiwan's top foundries will see their combined ASPs rise in the third quarter thanks to an increase in the revenue ratio for advanced 45/40nm and below processes, Digitimes Research said.
In addition, TSMC's 16nm process technology has started generating revenues in the third quarter of 2015, Digitimes Research noted. The foundry set to enjoy robust growth in revenues from its 16nm node manufacturing in the fourth quarter.