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To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (27655)	1/11/1999 5:52:00 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 70976

Story posted 9:30 a.m. EST/6:30 a.m., PST, 1/11/99 TSMC expects better 1999 after strong December sales By Sandy Chen TAIPEI, Taiwan-- Silicon foundry Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) has reported a 14.3%growth in revenues for 1998 compared to sales in 1997. However, the world's largest pure-play chip foundry blamed fierce pricing competition in the marketplace for a 14.6% drop in net profits during last year. While the foundry business felt the impact of the industry downturn last year, TSMC indicated that its business ended 1998 on a high note with bookings reaching a record high in December. Sources indicate that the foundry giant is now attempting to reassess its capital spending plans for stronger business conditions in 1999. TSMC's 1998 revenue reached $1.56 billion (NT$50.233 billion), up from the $1.37 billion (NT$43,936 million) posted in 1997. The company's 1998 net profit was placed at $477.9 million (NT$15.34 billion.), down from the $559.5 million (NT$17.96 billion) in 1997. December revenues at the Hsinchu-based IC-wafer foundry company were $107.75 million (NT$3,459 million), a 35.5% drop, compared to $166.98 million (NT$5,360 million) in the same month in 1997. TSMC vice president Y.C. Huang said the company's results were impacted by the worldwide semiconductor slump in 1998, which drove total industry revenues down 10% from 1997 levels. Huang said TSMC booking volumes reached a monthly record high in December. And now the company said it expects its 1999 revenue and net profit to outperform those of 1998. semibiznews.com

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (27655)	1/11/1999 5:52:00 PM
From: blake_paterson	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 70976

Point, counterpoint. But still cautiously optimistic that slow and steady will carry the next 36 mos: This Time For Sure? Predicting industry gets tougher By Robert Ristelheuber sumnet.com Excerpt: Once again, the electronics industry enters a new year propelled by boundless optimism, bolstered by forecasts from leading analysts of double-digit growth in 1999. What could possibly go wrong? Plenty, if last year is any example. Boundless optimism aside, more than a few industry executives have to be asking themselves: why were virtually all the forecasts about last year so wrong and why should we expect them to be more accurate this year?