Sat, Apr 25, 2015 page14

• Taiwan Business Quick Take

  • Staff writer
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  MANUFACTURING

  Firms less optimistic: survey

  Taiwan’s manufacturing companies have turned less positive about their business prospects moving forward after government data showed the nation’s exports contracted 4.2 percent in the first quarter from the previous year, a survey conducted by the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (台灣經濟研究院) showed yesterday. The survey found that 33 percent of manufacturers polled last month were upbeat about their business in the coming six months, down from 48 percent indicated in February. Companies in the service sector gained a bit more confidence about their business outlook, the survey said, adding that land developers and home builders stayed bearish about the property market amid policy uncertainty.

  MONETARY SUPPLY

  M2 growth exceeds M1B

  The nation’s M2 broad money supply gauge continued to outpace the M1B narrow indicator last month, as people channeled cash into time deposits, the central bank said yesterday. The narrow gauge, which refers to cash and cash equivalents, increased 5.87 percent year-on-year last month and lagged behind the M2’s 6.57 percent gain, the central bank said, adding that foreign fund inflows also helped boost the M2 reading. M1B values are often used to discern investor interest in equities, although the TAIEX has moved in directions opposite to the monetary indicator in recent months.

  RESTAURANTS

  Top One Pot plans to expand

  Top One Pot (這一鍋餐飲), a Taiwanese hot pot restaurant chain and affiliate of Gourmet Master Co Ltd (美食達人), aims to raise its annual sales to NT$600 million (US$19.32 million), from nearly NT$400 million last year. The chain has eight restaurants in Taiwan and one in China, and plans to open five new branches this year across the Taiwan Strait. The chain said the three new stores in Taiwan this year are to be opened in northern and central Taiwan, while the two new stores in China will be in Shanghai. Top One Pot said the new restaurants would generate an average of NT$60 million in monthly sales each and could start turning a profit six months after opening.

  LEASING

  Chailease net income grows

  Chailease Holding Co (中租控股), the nation’s top leasing services provider, yesterday reported net income of NT$622 million for last month, up 4 percent year-on-year and 22 percent month-on-month, thanks to increased fee and interest income, as well as asset gains in China. The company said in a statement that cumulative earnings for the first three months of the year totaled NT$1.71 billion, up 9 percent from the previous year, with earnings per share of NT$1.56. The firm last year posted a net profit of NT$1.09 billion, or NT$0.99 per share, up 13 percent from 2013.

  AVIATION

  AIDC building new factory

  Aerospace Industrial Development Corp (AIDC, 漢翔航空工業), the largest civilian and military aircraft manufacturer in Taiwan, said construction of its new plant to produce composite materials started last week and the new plant is expected to generate revenue next year. Overall, in response to market growth and new orders from clients, AIDC said it plans to raise its capital spending to at least NT$2 billion this year. The spending is to focus on funding the construction of a new hangar for F-16A/B improvements and maintenance, the construction of an engine casing manufacturing center, and land acquisition and construction for the plant, the company said.
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