LCD chipmakers Epistar and Formosa Epitaxy saw net profits increase sequentially to NT$1.9 billion (US$61.94 million) and NT$446 million, respectively, for the third quarter of 2010.
Epistar has posted consolidated revenues of NT$5.68 billion for the third quarter, increasing 8.3% sequentially. Gross margin for the quarter was 40.7%, up from 39% in the second quarter. Operating income was NT$1.7 billion with operating margin of almost 30%. Net profit for the quarter increased 12% sequentially to NT$1.9 billion
Consolidated revenues for the first three quarters of 2010 totaled NT$15.9 billion, gross margin 39.5%, and operating income NT$4.63 billion with 29% operating margin. Net profits for the period were NT$4.6 billion with an EPS of NT$5.81.
Epistar indicated that the sequential growth in net profits was mainly due to improved product mix, decreased production costs due to full utilization, and early-replenished inventory of materials such as sapphire substrates. Revenue share of TV backlighting products reached 25% due to increasing shipments of LED-backlit LCD TVs. Revenue share for lighting products reached about 20%, and 55% for other products. As the company pre-stocked materials such as sapphire substrates early, price increases of material only affected Epistar's overall costs by 3-4% compared to the 30% growth of material prices.
Formosa saw its revenues for the third quarter increase 5.7% sequentially to NT$1.44 billion, while its gross margin remained flat at 46.2%. Operating income was NT$528 million with an operating margin of 36.8%. Net profit increased slightly from NT$423 million in the second quarter to NT$446 million in the third with an EPS of NT$1.25.
Revenues for the first three quarters of 2010 were NT$3.53 billion, and gross margin was 44.79%. Operating income for the period was NT$1.2 billion with 33.85% operating margin. Net profit for the period totaled NT$1.08 billion with an EPS of NT$3.01.
Formosa was able to maintain its gross margin level as the company stocked up its inventory of sapphire substrates while prices were still low. The company indicated that shipment share of TV backlighting products dropped in the third quarter, while the share of lighting products increased and helped to maintain the company's gross margin.
Looking into the fourth quarter, despite increasing shipments for new LED-backlit TVs, Epistar and Formosa believe overall orders will be smaller compared to the third quarter due to seasonality. The LED chipmakers have ran out of their inventory of sapphire substrates, and with the prices for sapphire substrates expected to continue to increase, gross margins are expected to be affected. Product ASPs are also expected to drop as overall market demand remains low.
Epistar, Formosa: Income statement, 2Q09 - 2Q10 (NT$k) |
Item | 2Q-2010 | 1Q-2010 | 4Q-2009 | 3Q-2009 | 2Q-2009 |
NT$k | % of sales | NT$k | % of sales | NT$k | % of sales | NT$k | % of sales | NT$k | % of sales |
Gross sales | 5,365,880 | | 4,084,487 | | 3,878,200 | | 3,797,932 | | 3,197,542 | |
Operating revenue | 5,244,344 | 97.7% | 4,030,106 | 98.7% | 3,853,004 | 99.4% | 3,717,826 | 97.9% | 3,109,622 | 97.3% |
Gross profit (loss) from operations | 2,060,273 | 38.4% | 1,441,476 | 35.3% | 1,282,833 | 33.1% | 1,027,351 | 27.1% | 690,751 | 21.6% |
Operating expenses | 510,678 | 9.5% | 408,995 | 10% | 397,633 | 10.3% | 396,399 | 10.4% | 348,338 | 10.9% |
Operating income (loss) | 1,549,595 | 28.9% | 1,032,481 | 25.3% | 885,200 | 22.8% | 630,952 | 16.6% | 342,413 | 10.7% |
Income from continuing operations before income tax | 1,804,385 | 33.6% | 1,132,019 | 27.7% | 1,010,738 | 26.1% | 627,632 | 16.5% | 343,918 | 10.8% |
Net income (loss) | 1,689,126 | 31.5% | 1,003,266 | 24.6% | 943,612 | 24.3% | 606,933 | 16% | 288,597 | 9% |
Fully-diluted earnings per share (NT$) | 2.1 | | 1.3 | | 1.2 | | 0.9 | | 0 | |
*Figures are not consolidated
Source: TSE, compiled by Digitimes, October 2010