Expects chipmakers to boost investments 

BE Semiconductor has been consulting its Tarot cards and predicts rise in first-quarter revenues as leading chipmakers' plans to boost investments.

Sales up by 11 per cent

Franco-Italian chipmaker STMicroelectronics said its preliminary fourth-quarter revenues were slightly above the guidance given at the end of October, in the context of a global microchip supply crunch, which gave a lift to its shares.