United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) today announced that its first quarter sales rose 6.8% on quarter to NT$25.3 billion, with robust demand from the communication sector leading to quarterly profits reaching their highest level in three years.
The communication sector contributed 42% of the company’s first quarter revenues compared to 38% in the fourth quarter of 2003, driven by strong demand for digital signal processors (DSPs) used in handsets, the company said. Contribution from PC and consumer sectors both dropped slightly on previous quarters.
By technology, the world’s second largest foundry generated 29% of its first quarter sales from 0.18-micron technology. Contribution from more advanced technologies remained at the fourth quarter level.
The company enjoyed a full utilization rate in the quarter despite it being the traditional slow season, with the average selling price (ASP) rising 5% sequentially. Shipments for the quarter edged up 0.5% to 647,000 8-inch equivalent wafers.
With rising ASPs and full capacity, UMC’s gross profits increased 14.2% on quarter to NT$7.6 billion, with net profits slightly rising by 2.5% to NT$6.9 billion.
“This performance not only beat our original forecast but also was significantly stronger than the seasonal pattern we have seen for the past few years,” said company CEO Jackson Hu in a statement.
|
UMC: 1Q 2004 financial results (NT$m) | |||
|
|
1Q 04 |
Q/Q |
Y/Y |
|
Net sales |
25,326 |
6.8% |
41.5% |
|
Gross profits |
7,612 |
14.2% |
177.8% |
|
Operating profits |
5,287 |
27.0% |
656.4% |
|
Pre-tax profits |
6,926 |
3.2% |
1614.4% |
|
Net profits |
6,894 |
2.5% |
1610.7% |
Source: company, compiled by DigiTimes, April 2004.
|
UMC: Sales breakdown by region | ||
|
|
4Q 03 |
1Q 04 |
|
Asia |
41% |
37% |
|
North America |
39% |
43% |
|
Europe |
17% |
16% |
|
Japan |
3% |
4% |
Source: company, compiled by DigiTimes, April 2004.
|
UMC: Sales breakdown by application | ||
|
|
4Q 03 |
1Q 04 |
|
Communications |
38% |
42% |
|
Consumer |
31% |
30% |
|
Computer |
26% |
24% |
|
Memory |
3% |
3% |
|
Other |
2% |
1% |
Source: company, compiled by DigiTimes, April 2004.
|
UMC: Sales breakdown by process | ||
|
Node (-micron) |
4Q 03 |
1Q 04 |
|
0.50 and above |
9% |
10% |
|
0.35 |
23% |
21% |
|
0.25 |
22% |
19% |
|
0.18 |
25% |
29% |
|
0.15 |
9% |
9% |
|
0.13 and below |
12% |
12% |
Source: company, compiled by DigiTimes, April 2004.
Article translated by Jack Lu and edited by Jack Lu
