The world's largest maker of solar cells reported a net profit of 19.8 million euros (US$27.0 million) for the first quarter of 2009, better than expected. But it slashed its 2009 sales outlook for the third time since December.

China Mobile missed forecasts with its slowest quarterly profit growth since 2005 and warned a deepening financial crisis will pressure subscriber growth as local competition gets tougher.

Energy Conversion Devices' shares plummeted 30.3% in morning trading on Tuesday, after the solar-equipment maker warned investors that its third-quarter earnings would fall short of earlier projections amid a weakening economic environment.

TI narrowed the range of its first-quarter forecast, with the midpoint of its revenue guidance rising 2.7%.

Programmable chipmaker Altera said on Monday first-quarter sales would decline by a more moderate percentage than it previously expected thanks to demand for next-generation wireless equipment in China.

The Netherlands-based provider of lithography systems will trim 10% of its workforce, comprising approximately 1,000 employees who are mainly on temporary contracts, as it looks to cut costs in 2009.

Programable chip maker Xilinx lowered its fiscal third-quarter guidance Tuesday, saying sales in December have been weaker than anticipated. Xilinx shares dipped 13 cents to $18 after hours Tuesday, after closing up 5 percent for the day.

Semiconductor maker Atmel reduced its fourth-quarter revenue estimate and announced cost cuts that include an 11% reduction of its North American work force amid slumping chip demand.