FOXCONN International Holdings Ltd, the world's biggest contract manufacturer of mobile phones, fell by a record in Hong Kong trading yesterday, leading declines in handset-parts suppliers amid concern that demand will slow.

Foxconn shares plunged 11 percent to HK$12.96 (US$1.66) at the end of trading, their biggest drop since they listed in February 2005. The Shenzhen-based company's stock has fallen 26 percent this year, compared with a 14-percent drop in Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, according to Bloomberg News.

Foxconn, a supplier to customers including Nokia Oyj and Motorola Inc, faces a possible slowdown in orders as a weakening global economy, led by the United States, damps consumer demand. The mobile-phone market may see a "single-digit" increase in shipments this year, slowing from 12 percent in 2007, according to research company IDC.

"There aren't many positive factors supporting handset-related stocks," said Steven Tseng, who rates Foxconn shares "hold" at ABN Amro Holding NV in Taipei. "The market is weighed down by concerns about weakening demand resulting from the U.S. slowdown."

BYD Electronic (International) Co, a Chinese supplier of mobile-phone parts to Nokia, fell 5.8 percent to HK$10.36.

Foxconn shares rose by a record last Friday after Bear Stearns Cos analyst Jack Tse wrote that the phone maker may derive 48 percent of its sales from Nokia this year. Nokia overtook Motorola Inc to become Foxconn's biggest customer last year.