Taipei, Aug. 29, 2008 (CENS)--Novatek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. had after-tax net income of NT$3.93 per share throughout the first half this year, topping expected NT$3.74 and remaining No.1 profit-maker in Taiwan`s liquid-crystal display IC industry.

The earnings result has helped get rid of dismay among investors towards Novatek for its losing the highest-share-price title in the island`s LCD IC firms to Sitronix Technology Co., Ltd. and OriseTech Co., Ltd. in first half this year.

Novatek had consolidated revenue of NT$14.7 billion (US$475 million at US$1:NT$31) in the first half of the year, losing 11.7% year on year. However, its gross profit margin advanced 1.59 percentage points to 28.84%. Its after-tax net income for the first half totaled NT$2.13 billion (US$68 million), down 39.1% from the same period of last year.

Considering plans by major LCD makers to steeply cut output of big-sized panels in the second half this year, Novatek estimated its revenue for the third quarter to increase only 6-10% from a quarter earlier. Major growth driver will be increased revenue from a subsidiary.

Sitronix had revenue of NT$3.2 billion (US$105 million) in first half this year alone, soaring 44.07% from a year earlier. In the meantime, its after-tax net income was NT$262 million (US$8.4 million), or NT$2.48 per share, recessing 12.4% year on year.

Industry watchers estimated Sitronix` revenue for the third quarter to cross NT$1.8 billion (US$58 million), increasing over 10% from the second quarter.

In the first half this year, Orisen scored net earnings of NT$111 million (US$3.5 million), or NT$0.9 per share, on revenue of NT$2.3 billion (US$76 million). The net income was up 50% from the same period of last year.

(by Ken Liu)