Recent news from the Chinese language newspapers.
Backlight-module maker Forhouse raises financial forecast for 2004
The company has raised its forecast for the second time this year and expects sales and pre-tax profits to reach NT$5.1 billion and NT$629 million, an 11% and 7.7% jump, respectively, from the previous forecast. [TSE, Sep 25]
Polyvision to ship 32- and 37-inch LCD TVs to Mitsubishi
The Taiwan-based member of the Chi Mei Group will initially ship 2,000-3,000 TVs per month in 4Q, with shipments increasing next year. [EDN, Sep 27]
IEK: Global handset shipments to exceed demand by 50-60 million units
According to research from the Taiwan-based Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center, global handset shipments will reach 680 million this year, a Y/Y growth of 30%. However, there will be excess supply. [Commercial Times, Sep 27]
Acer scheduled to procure 14 million LCD panels in 2005
With an optimistic outlook for notebook and desktop shipments in 2005, Acer is scheduled to buy 6 million and 7-8 million panels for notebook and LCD monitors, respectively, in 2005. [UDN.com, Sep 27]
TI and Xilinx to lower order volumes at UMC, say sources
Sources indicated that TI (Texas Instruments) will cut 50% of the volume of its handset-use baseband chip orders at UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation) in 4Q. Xilinx will also cut orders for 90nm-made products. [Commercial Times, Sep 27]
Nokia schedules launch of SD-handsets for 2H 2005
Nokia will launch handsets equipped with SD (secure digital) cards in the 2H 2005, with Asia and North America being the target markets. [AppleDaily, Sep 27]
VIA denies setting up China headquarters in Beijing
In response to a Commercial Times report saying VIA Technologies will set up a China headquarters in Beijing, VIA claims the new unit is just a marketing office and not a headquarters. [TSE, Sep 27]
Taiwan notebook makers to reduce prices again in October
Taiwan notebook makers commented that notebook prices are being adjusted every month instead of the usual three months, in order to promptly meet market demand. The proposed October price cuts on Intel CPUs may spark another wave of price reductions. [DigiTimes]
SiS to evaluate its financial forecast after releasing 3Q revenues
With reference to market rumors about Silicon Integrated Systems being under pressure to lower its financial forecast, SiS claims the company will evaluate its forecast after releasing its 3Q revenues. [TSE, Sep 27]
Taiwan DSC makers conservative about expanding production
Industry players predict that the recent opening of Ability Enterprise's new China plant will be the only expansion carried out among Taiwan DSC makers for the next two years. Local players are suffering from over-expansion. [Commercial Times, Sep 27]
Article edited by Michael McManus
