14 DAY TRIAL // Although the semiconductor market, particularly the DRAM segment, is not doing especially well lately because of a slump in PC demand, TSMC appears to have managed to keep its revenues flat during August, compared to July, though the on-year performance showed a 25.4% increase.
After finally resolving its 40nm process problems some months ago, TSMC appears to be handling its tasks well enough, even succeeding in avoiding a drop in revenues during last month, according to Digitimes.
The consolidated revenues for August 2010 were of NT$37.39 billion, a sum equivalent to US$1.2 billion and which was not too far from July's NT$37.22 billion.
Also, compared to last year, when TSMC scored NT$29.83 billion, this figure shows a jump of 25.4%.
This means that, for the entire third quarter, consolidated revenues should meet the company's planned NT$109-111 billion.
The maker of chips does not expect to avoid a drop in the fourth quarter, however, if another report from Digitimes is to be trusted.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has not provided a revenue outlook for the fourth quarter, but some assumptions were made based on recent developments.
Previously, market watchers predicted a drop of 10% or more, but demand in China has finally started to pick up.
The 10% drop was surmised based on the inventory status of TSMC's clients, though some of said clients appear to have changed their plans.
Orders for handset ICs and products needed in consumer electronics have increased, in contrast with the PC segment, which still seems to be lagging behind.
As such, TSMC will likely suffer a single-digit decline during the October-December period of 2010, though its capacity rate utilization may still fall under 80 percent.
Basically, whether or not demand in the PC segment recovers will determine just what figure TSMC's revenues reach by the end of the year.