我想龍芯漢芯的部分應該是忠心產的吧

中芯國際將獲得中國政府數千萬美元科技專項補貼

出自：路透社 編輯：Jessica Cao

知情人士周一透露，中國內地最大芯片廠商中芯國際有望近期獲得中國政府的大額政府項目補貼款，有助提升其今年的業績。

該知情人士稱，中芯國際申請的“十一五”(2006年至2010年)的一個三年期項目批文已下來，有望獲得政府的數千萬美元補貼。

該知情人士表示：“如果不出意外，這筆款項將于今年第三季度或第四季度發放�！睂Υ�，中芯國際發言人拒絕發表評論。

上海一業內人士則表示，若是三年期項目補貼，較大可能是2008年中國開始執行的"核高基"國家級科技重大專項的補貼。

中國工業和信息化部自2008年啟動"核心電子器件、高端通用芯片及基礎軟件產品"(簡稱核高基)國家科技重大專項，希望在芯片、軟件和電子器件領域，追趕國際技術和產業的迅速發展。

按照規劃，"核高基"重大專項將持續15年，中央加上地方配套資金平均每年的投入約為40億元人民幣，頭一個五年規劃政府投入達300億元以上。

中芯公關人士接受路透查詢時表示，目前為業績公布前敏感期，不便發表評論。

SMIC swings back to profit in 2Q10

Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES, Taipei [Wednesday 11 August 2010]

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China's largest foundry chipmaker, has reported net profits of US$96 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 following net losses over the past 12 quarters.

SMIC attributed its return to profitability in the second quarter to a US$105.9 million gain of commitment to grant shares and warrants. The China-based foundry earlier agreed to give rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) a payment and share offer under the terms of a settlement for their trade secrets lawsuit.

Meanwhile, SMIC saw second-quarter revenues grow 8.4% sequentially to US$381.1 million, topping its guidance of US$362.3-369.3 million with 3-5% growth.

"We've witnessed overall improvement this quarter, and believe we are on course to profitability," SMIC CEO David NK Wang said. "As China's fabless companies continue to grow stronger and stronger, SMIC has positioned itself to become the preferred foundry."

In terms of sales breakdown by region, North America continued to account for more than half of SMIC's total revenues in the second quarter followed by China with 28.7%. The foundry noted that sales from China rose 27.4% sequentially in the second quarter, buoyed by growing demand from the local fabless IC suppliers.

As to sales breakdown by technology, 90nm and below processes accounted for 23.6% of SMIC's second-quarter revenues compared to 20.3% in the first quarter and 16.7% a year earlier. "Our 65nm process is solid and ramping up, with shipments more than doubling on-quarter. Our 45/40nm development is well underway, and the technology will be ready by the end of 2010," Wang indicated.

SMIC's gross margin climbed to 15.6% in the second quarter from 14.6% in the first, according to the company.

SMIC ran at 94.3% utilization rate in the second quarter, compared to 92.1% in the prior quarter and 75.4% in the second quarter of 2009. Wafer shipments totaled 496,766 8-inch equivalent wafers in the second quarter, compared with 455,010 units in the first quarter and 341,261 a year ago.

Looking into the third quarter, SMIC now expects revenues to increase 4-6% from the second with a 20-22% gross margin.

In addition, SMIC has upwardly adjust its capex for 2010 to US$700-750 million, compared to US$330 million set previously.







SMIC revamps fab deals, confirms capital infusion

Mark LaPedus

8/11/2010 2:17 PM EDT

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Chinese foundry provider Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) has revised the business model for its fab arrangements in Chengdu and Wuhan.



Previously, the fabs in Chengdu and Wuhan had their own sales efforts. Now, SMIC will assume the direct sales responsibilities for those two fabs in China.   



The move could pave the way for the eventual sale of those fabs. At the same time, SMIC confirmed that it plans to obtain a $100 million capital injection from one of its investors, China’s Datang Telecom. Reports have been circulating about the cash infusion from Datang for some time.  



After several years in the red, SMIC is looking to become profitable. In recent times, SMIC took steps in those directions by naming a new CEO, cutting its headcount and accelerating its advanced process technology efforts.



Business is strong right now, but the company is falling further behind its rivals in technology.  Leading-edge foundries have been ramping up their 45-/40-nm processes for some time. SMIC plans to ramp up its 45-/40-nm process by year’s end.   



In the second quarter of 2010, announced on Tuesday, SMIC posted its first quarterly profit in three years and doubled its capital spending. 2010 annual capital expenditures are expected to range from $700-to-$750 million.



In its results, SMIC, however, benefitted from a one-time gain from rival Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. TSMC gained a 10 percent stake in SMIC as a result of an out-of-court settlement of a legal dispute between TSMC and SMIC. SMIC had been using TSMC’s trade secrets and infringing that company’s patents.



Still, at present, business is strong at SMIC. During a conference call on Tuesday, David Wang, CEO of SMIC, said the company is completely sold out of fab capacity for the third quarter. Asked if he was concerned about recent reports about softness in the market, Wang said:  ''We don’t see any issues for Q3. We don’t feel pressured or impacted for Q4.’’      



Still, the question is clear: Can SMIC sustain its profitable status?  And in addition, what will happen to its fab arrangements?



For some time, SMIC has managed Cension Semiconductor Manufacturing International and Wuhan Xinxin Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. Cension, based in Chengdu, China, is actually owned by the Chengdu municipal government.  Wuhan Xinxin, based in Wuhan, China, is actually owned by the Wuhan municipal government.   



Cension and Wuhan Xinin have handled their own sales via a commission basis. Going forward, SMIC will directly handle the sales of Cension and Wuhan Xinin, according to the company. Officials from SMIC said the moves will ''deepen its relationships with customers.’’



For some time, though, silicon foundry vendor SMIC has been in talks with Texas Instruments Inc. about taking over the operation of the 200-mm fab in Chengdu, according to sources.



As reported in March, SMIC (Shanghai, China) plans to end an agreement to manage the 200-mm wafer fab in Chengdu, according to reports. SMIC has been talking to TI about taking over the fab.



SMIC set up the 200-mm wafer fab, Cension, to be managed by SMIC and backed by investors and the Chengdu government. The Chengdu fab is losing money, prompting SMIC to seek other buyers of that plant.  It is unclear what the future will hold for the Wuhan plant.