Asustek Computer Inc (華碩) yesterday reported better-than-expected revenue for the first quarter, attributing the results to a higher notebook computer market share in China and recovering demand in Eastern Europe.
“The growth momentum in notebook shipments was stronger than the company’s forecast,” Asustek spokesman Nick Wu (吳長榮) said.
Asustek shipped 4.9 million notebooks in the first quarter, up 2.03 percent from 4.8 million units a year earlier, while revenue in the first quarter grew 7.7 percent annually to NT$110.05 billion (NT$3.39 billion), Wu said.
The company earlier forecast sales growth for the first quarter to be flat from last year’s NT$102.18 billion.
Wu also attributed the improved revenue to growing demand for Asustek gaming notebooks and ultralight laptops, which have higher average selling prices than regular consumer models.
Even so, last quarter’s revenue was 11 percent lower than the prior quarter’s NT$123.98 billion, due to seasonal factors, the company said.
For this quarter, Asustek notebook shipments are expected to fall by up to 10 percent from last quarter, Wu said, adding that the second quarter is usually the weakest quarter for consumer electronics and notebook products.
He said the company hopes demand from Eastern Europe and Russia continues to improve this quarter, and that foreign exchange rates in emerging markets stabilize, helping to support the market.
Contract notebook makers Compal Electronics Inc (仁寶) and Wistron Corp (緯創) yesterday said notebook shipments for this quarter might improve from last quarter, after both reported double-digit percentage declines in revenue last quarter.
Compal’s revenue plunged 10.92 percent annually and 24.6 percent quarterly to NT$176.64 billion last quarter, the lowest in the past seven quarters.
Wistron also saw its weakest sales in the past six quarters, after revenue plummeted 10.58 percent year-on-year and 22.62 percent quarter-on-quarter to NT$134.69 billion.
Compal forecast its notebook shipments this quarter to be better than last quarter, but said it is difficult to offer a growth estimate due to limited order visibility. Wistron said its laptop shipments might climb by between 5 percent and 10 percent this quarter from last quarter.
Inventec Corp (英業達), which expects flat growth in notebook shipments this quarter, reported a 6.79 percent annual increase in revenue to NT$95.3 billion, driven by its handheld and solar businesses.
The company assembles smartphones for Xiaomi Corp (小米).
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