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CHARTERED
REITERATES EARNINGS GUIDANCE FOR THIRD QUARTER 2001
MILPITAS,
Calif. - August 30, 2001 - Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing
(Nasdaq: CHRT and SGX-ST: CHARTERED) today reaffirmed
its third-quarter earnings guidance, which was originally
provided on July 20, 2001.
"The quarter is progressing much as we had anticipated,
and we remain on track to achieve our gross profit margin
and EPS targets of a 'loss of approximately $84 million
to $86 million' and a 'loss per ADS of approximately
94 to 96 cents,' respectively," said Chia Song Hwee,
senior vice president, CFO & CAO of Chartered.
"Wafer shipments may dip slightly, meaning that average
utilization could be in the 'low-20s' instead of the
'mid-20s,' which we had originally projected," Chia
continued. "With this in mind, we have widened the band
on our revenue target to 'down 15-20%' from the prior
quarter. The original target was 'down approximately
15%.' Even at the low end of this band, we anticipate
still being within the range of our gross profit margin
guidance as a result of additional success in our cost-reduction
actions. In line with expectations, product mix has
improved this quarter, and we are holding our average
selling price guidance of 'up a few percentage points'
from prior quarter."
While there are growing signs of stabilization in the
industry, Chartered continues to plan cautiously, according
to Barry Waite, president & CEO. "We still expect the
cycle to bottom some time in the second half of this
year; however, the exact timing and the pace of the
expected recovery remain difficult to predict. In the
meantime, our focus remains on positioning Chartered
to rapidly respond when industry growth returns. We
believe that our financial strength and our accelerated
progress in technology development position Chartered
to remain a top-tier player in the high-growth foundry
industry," said Waite.
Chartered
plans to release its third quarter earnings on Tuesday,
October 23, Singapore time.
About
Chartered
Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing is one of the
world's top three silicon foundries. The Company's business
model is distinguished by its strategy to build trusted
long-term relationships, where manufacturing is part
of a larger customer-service focus that includes joint
development and implementation of new process technologies
supporting novel applications within the broad communications
market. Chartered operates five semiconductor fabrication
facilities in Singapore and has a sixth fab in the process
of being developed as a 300mm facility.
A Company with both global presence and perspective,
Chartered is traded on both the Nasdaq Stock Market
in the United States (Nasdaq: CHRT) and on the Singapore
Exchange Securities Trading Limited in Singapore (SGX-ST:
CHARTERED). The Company reported 2000 revenues of over
US$1.1 billion. More than 4,300 Chartered employees
are based at 11 locations around the world. Information
about Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing can be found
at www.charteredsemi.com
Chartered Safe Harbor Statement under the Provisions
of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995
This news release contains forward-looking statements,
as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements, including without
limitation, statements relating to the Company's performance
in the third quarter of 2001 and for the remainder of
2001, and the statements relating to the near-term and
longer-term market outlook and the Company's growth
and positioning in the foundry industry, reflect the
Company's current views with respect to future events
and financial performance, and are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results
to differ materially from historical results or those
anticipated. Among the factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially are: changes in market
outlook and trends; changes in economic fundamentals;
customer demands; the successful implementation of our
partnership, technology and supply alliances; unforeseen
delays or interruptions in the construction and ramp
up of our fabrication facilities; the performance level
of our fabrication facilities; availability of materials,
equipment, manpower and timely regulatory approvals,
the availability of financing and terms thereof and
the continued success in technological advances. Although
the Company believes the expectations reflected in such
forward looking statements are based upon reasonable
assumptions, it can give no assurance that these expectations
will be attained. In addition to the foregoing factors,
a description of certain other risks and uncertainties
which could cause actual results to differ materially
can be found in the section captioned "Risk Factors"
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which are based on management's current
view of future events. The Company undertakes no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise.
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