Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) forecasts its first-quarter consolidated sales at only NT$32-35 billion (US$0.95-1.04 billion), representing a 45.8-50.4% sequential decline. Gross margin will be 1-5% and operating margin will be negative. The company normally has margins of 40-50%.
Market watchers earlier expected TSMC to see a sales decline of at least 35% in the first quarter.
TSMC's consolidated sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 totaled NT$64.56 billion, down 30.6% sequentially and down 31.2% on year. Gross margin and operating margin were 31.3% and 18.6%, respectively.
TSMC faces first loss in 20 years
Posted on Saturday, January 24 2009 @ 0:10 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck