Testing house STATS ChipPAC Taiwan Semiconductor, a subsidiary of Singapore-based STATS ChipPAC, saw first-quarter 2012 revenues reach NT$330 million (US$11.3 million), up 25.7% on quarter due to increasing orders. Gross margins were 54.71% and net profits were NT$133 million, down 10% on quarter, but up 17.2% on year, according to the firm.
Meanwhile, IC testing firm King Yuan Electronics (KYEC) reported consolidated revenues of NT$3.153 billion for the first quarter, showing an on-quarter decrease of 3.61%. The firm reported first-quarter 2012 gross margins of 17.48%. Net profits were NT$137 million, a significant increase of 55.51% on quarter, but down 33.46% on year.
KYEC indicated that falling first-quarter revenues were expected due to the fact that the first quarter is traditional the low season. The firm added orders have begun decreasing since the end of last year. Nevertheless, with effective cost controls, net profits increased compared to fourth-quarter 2011.
The market predicts the testing industry will experience a sequential revenue increase of 10-15% in the second quarter and STATS ChipPAC is likely to experience revenue growth in April due to steady orders from TSMC. The market also predicts second-quarter capex to exceed the first quarter's.
Article translated by Jackie Chang
