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BUSINESS BRIEFS

Profits down, earnings up

The nation’s 710 companies on the Taiwan Stock Exchange have reported a 13 percent year-on-year decline in before-tax profits in the first half of this year, although their revenues saw 11.7 percent year-on-year growth in the same period, the Financial Supervisory Commission’s latest statistics showed yesterday.

Among the profit-earners, those in the electronics, optoelectronics, paper-making and steel industries have seen between 14 percent and 578 percent earnings growth in the first half, the figures showed.

However, the financial and insurance sector saw a 78.82 percent decline in profits, the biotechnology sector saw a 54.03 percent decline and the aviation sector a 58.08 percent decline, the commission said.

In addition, the nation’s 550 companies traded on the GRETAI Securities Market have seen a 110.15 percent year-on-year decline in before-tax profits in the first half of this year, while their revenues saw a 1.54 percent year-on-year growth, the commission said.

Wire and cable, plastics and rubber companies were profit earners, while tourism-related businesses, semiconductor companies and textile companies were pushed into the red in the first half of this year, the commission said.

AUO plans Czech factory

AU Optronics Corp (AUO, 友達光電), the world’s third-largest manufacturer of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), said it was planning a factory in the Czech Republic to assemble LCD modules.

The company’s board approved plans to invest 250 million koruna (US$14.6 million) in the factory, Hsiao Ya-wen (蕭雅文), a spokeswoman for the Hsinchu-based company, said yesterday.

Qisda revenue declines

Qisda Corp (佳世達科技) yesterday posted a consolidated revenue of NT$8.4 billion (US$264 million) for last month, a 35.5 percent decline from the same time last year and a 7.9 percent decrease from the previous month.

The company attributed the drop to a lower average selling price.

Second-quarter revenue was previously reported at NT$30.5 billion. Earnings after tax was NT$570 million, leading to NT$0.32 in earnings per share.

Qisda is ranked fifth globally in the manufacture of LCD monitors, projectors and multi-functional printers.

Sony recalls Vaio laptops

Sony says it is recalling 440,000 Vaio laptop computers worldwide because of a wiring flaw that could cause overheating.

Sony Corp said yesterday the recall involves 19 models in the Vaio TZ series manufactured between May last year and July this year, including three export models.

The Tokyo-based consumer electronics company says improperly placed wires near the hinge connecting the body of the laptop and its display could wear quickly, causing a short circuit and overheating.

New oolong variety created

A new variety of oolong tea has been developed on a plantation in Taitung County, with a taste that is described as smooth and naturally sweet.

The new variety, called red oolong tea, was developed as a result of joint efforts between a farmer’s association in Luye Township (鹿野) in Taitung County and the Council of Agriculture’s Tea Research and Extension Station in Taoyuan County.

The red oolong tea was grown on the Fulu tea plantation in Luye.

Tea produced on the plantation recently won the top prize in a competition sponsored by the council.


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