LED Chipmaker Epistar Reported Falling October Revenues of NT$1.26 Billion

LED chipmaker Epistar reported falling October revenues of NT$1.26 billion (US$42 million), representing a 10.6% decrease on month and 26% decrease on year. Epistar indicated despite orders from LED TV firms, demand for LED backlight modules (BLUs) for IT products, handheld devices, and LED lighting have been weak which caused the falling revenues. Unity Opto, Harvatek, Edison Opto, and Lextar have also reported falling October revenues. Tekcore saw October revenues rebound back to NT$184 million. Tekcore noted demand for BLUs continued to be weak and the growth of LED lighting has been limited, hence the firm continues to hold conservative views toward performance in November and December. Unity Opto reported sliding October revenues of NT$360 million. Accumulated revenues for the first ten months of the year were NT$5.14 billion, a 9.8% decrease on year. Unity Opto indicated the falling October revenues were due to seasonal fluctuations causing a lack of continuity in BLU orders. Sales of lighting products were not able to fill the hole caused by the lack of BLU orders, hence revenues in October decreased. LED packaging house Everlight reported flat October revenues of NT$1.35 billion, representing 7.6% on-year growth. Everlight expects November performance to be similar to October. Harvatek reported October revenues of NT$268 million, showing a 12.4% on-month decrease and 10% on-year decrease. LED lighting firm Edison Opto reported October revenues of NT$184 million, a slight 0.75% decrease on month and 25% decrease on year. Lextar reported October revenues with a slight 0.4% on-month decrease. The October revenues were NT$890 million. Lextar pointed out that backlight applications have been performing according to expectations. Sales of lighting products currently account for 40% of total revenues, added Lextar, to accommodate the growth of this market, the firm has been setting up production lines for lighting products at its Suzhou plant. Source: www.digitimes.com