TSMC and UMC have seen better days, and although Taiwanese market analysts expect an even worse February financial report for these companies, they expect the results to improve from then.

TSMC’s better days are coming in the form of increased flat panel and TV converter app orders, coupled with increased 3G demand that will reportedly “brighten TSMC’s prospects”. UMC is not explicitly mentioned in this equation but it is presumed that it will have a share of its own increased orders.

Since both own or jointly own about 10 fabs each, increased orders mean seriously increased profits, but more importantly they show that certain sectors are recovering, which is indeed good news for the whole industry.

More here.