TSMC Reports Third Quarter EPS of NT$1.15

-- TSMC today announced consolidated revenue of NT$88.96 billion, net income of NT$30.37 billion, and diluted earnings per share of NT$1.15 (US$0.17 per ADS unit) for the third quarter ended September 30, 2007.

Year-over-year, third quarter revenue increased 7.9% while net income and diluted EPS decreased 6.5% and 6.6%, respectively. On a sequential basis, third quarter results represent an 18.7% increase in revenue, and an increase of 19.2% both in net income and in diluted EPS. All figures were prepared in accordance with R.O.C. GAAP on a consolidated basis.

Due to stronger than expected demand overall from our customers, third quarter results exceeded the guidance given on July 26. Advanced process technologies (0.13-micron and below) accounted for 56% of wafer revenues with 90-nanometer process technology accounting for 27% and 65-nanometer reaching 7% of total wafer sales. Gross margin was 45.8%, operating margin was 36.4%, and net margin was 34.1%.

“Third quarter set a record for our business in terms of revenues and wafer shipment, where all our three major market segments (communication, computer, and consumer) saw double-digit growth sequentially, ” said Lora Ho, VP and Chief Financial Officer of TSMC. “For the fourth quarter, we expect the demand from computer related applications to grow the strongest, followed by communication related applications, whereas consumer applications will decline, following their seasonal pattern,” said Ho. “Based on our current business outlook, management’s expectations for fourth quarter 2007 performance are as follows”:

• Revenue is expected to be between NT$92 billion and NT$94 billion;
• Gross profit margin is expected to be between 46% and 48%;
• Operating profit margin is expected to be between 37% and 39%.