Taiwan's BenQ yesterday announced its third-quarter operating loss fell 53 per cent from the previous quarter to NT$300 million ($69 million), aided by strong sales of flat-panel monitors but hindered by continued declines in its handset business.
The maker of monitors, notebook personal computers, projectors and mobile phones posted sales growth of 15 per cent to NT$34.09 billion.
Net profit was NT$18 million, a 98.6 per cent plunge from the NT$1.37 billion recorded a year ago and the NT$480 million in the second quarter seen on gains from the sale of share investments.
Gains on foreign exchange helped BenQ realise non-operating income of NT$390 million.
While sales of flat-panel monitors grew strongly, BenQ's handset business, which accounted for 7 per cent of sales, fell about 10 per cent in the third quarter.
With the recent acquisition of the handset business of Siemens of Germany, mobile phone sales should account for about 50 per cent of sales. The merged unit will be named BenQ Mobile.
