VIA's first-quarter profit falls as sales decline 29 percent

VIA Technologies Inc's (威盛電子) first-quarter profit fell more than half because the world's second-largest maker of computer chipsets lost market share following a technology dispute with bigger rival Intel Corp.

Net income fell to NT$1.1 billion, or NT$1.13 a share, from NT$2.3 billion, or NT$2.44, a year ago, VIA said. The amount beat the NT$977 million net income estimated by analysts. Sales fell 29 percent to NT$7.3 billion.

VIA is losing market share to rivals that have Intel's consent to make chipsets that work with the biggest chipmaker's latest processor for personal computers. VIA's sales will continue to decline unless it secures a license from Intel, investors said.

"I don't think the second quarter will be impressive," said Roger Chiao, fund manager at Capital Securities Investment Trust Co (群益投信).