TSMC's first quarter profit up 18 percent
 

TSMC has wrapped up yet another stellar quarter. The chipmaker’s profit rose 18 percent year-on-year to NT$39.6 billion ($1.3bn). As usual, strong demand for smartphone and tablet chips helped boost TSMC’s profitability.

TSMC’s gross margin was 45.8, beating its own guidance. Revenue rose 26 percent compared to a year ago and it now stands at NT$132.7 billion.

What’s more, TSMC expects the positive trend to continue. It is ramping up spending and planning to invest $9 billion to increase production capacity this year, up from $8.3 billion in 2012.

TSMC’s 28nm process is mature and its 20nm fabs are apparently already ahead of schedule.

The rumour mill has been abuzz with talk of a very lucrative Apple deal as well and at this point it seems more than likely that Apple will tap TSMC’s 20nm process once it is ready for prime time.

http://news.techeye.net/chips/tsmcs-...-up-18-percent