Taiwanese LED chip manufacturer Epistar delivered a stellar performance during the traditional LED low season. The company announced its Dec. 2013 revenue reached NT$ 2.04 billion (US$ 70 million) marking a historical high for the last 10 quarters since 3Q11. Although, December revenues dropped 1.36 percent compared to the previous month, revenues soared 61.46 percent from Dec. 2013. In addition, consolidated revenue for 4Q13 increased 6.09 percent QoQ to NT$ 6.10 billion, or an annual increase of 37.28 percent.
Epistar noted overall revenue performance was good because LED applications in backlight, lighting, and AlInGaN shipments were better than expected in Dec. 2013. Lighting and backlight revenue share was 30 percent and 40 percent respectively. The company's outlook for 1Q14 has been pretty good orders in January, while AlInGaN and InGaN utilization rates are close to 90 percent. Even though Feb. demands have been good, the company's sales revenue is expected to be affected by fewer work days that month, and will rebound March.
