Gartner Inc's Dataquest market-research unit cut its forecast for global semiconductor sales, saying sales will rise 8.9 percent to US$167 billion from US$153.4 billion last year, instead of its 12 percent gain forecast in November.
The TAIEX slumped 11.6 percent in February, almost erasing the 12.6 percent gain in January.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong's China Mobile (HK) Ltd led the Hang Seng index 1.4 percent lower this week, after the company said it will cut some charges. China Mobile dropped 5.6 percent this week.
HSBC Holdings Plc, which does business in 81 countries, was the fifth-biggest drag on the index. The bank said it's "cautious" about the world economy for 2003 and that corporate lending is "subdued." HSBC will report second-half 2002 earnings tomorrow. The stock fell 0.3 percent for the week.
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