STMicroelectronics Updates 2008 Fourth Quarter Outlook
GENEVA, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM)
announced today that its revenue for the fourth quarter would be below the
outlook provided in the Company's news release dated October 28, 2008. Based
on current visibility, the Company now expects fourth quarter revenues to be
between approximately $2.2 billion and $2.35 billion, as compared to $2.7
billion reported in the prior quarter, or a sequential change in the range of
about -12.8% to -18.4%. The revised revenue outlook is the consequence of a
recent slowdown in the billings, recent and substantial changes in customers'
demand and order push-outs for the month of December. This situation reflects
the well-known weaknesses in the industry, across most geographies and market
segments, and, in particular, in wireless, automotive, and computer
peripherals.
The Company is reacting to the weaker-than-anticipated demand environment
with a further reduction of manufacturing activity and reduced sourcing from
third-party suppliers, compared to planned activities when entering the
quarter. Primarily as a result of higher-than-anticipated unused capacity
charges in the quarter, the gross margin expected for the fourth quarter 2008
is now about 38% plus or minus one percentage point.
Additionally, the Company continues to aggressively implement cost-control
initiatives and is progressing in its accelerated effort to capture the cost
synergies from the recent creation of ST-NXP Wireless.
This outlook is based on an assumed effective currency exchange rate of
approximately $1.40 = euro 1.00 for the 2008 fourth quarter, which reflects
current exchange rate levels combined with the impact of existing hedging
contracts. Additionally, as per the prior outlook for Q4 2008 released on
October 28, 2008, this outlook includes the results of the ST-NXP Wireless
joint venture - which began operations on August 2, 2008 - for the full
quarter, but excludes an estimated $30 million cost in the fourth quarter 2008
due to inventory step-up purchase accounting adjustments related to the former
NXP Wireless business.
Some of the statements contained in this release that are not historical
facts are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking
statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 or
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended) based on
management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to
differ materially from those in such statements due to, among other factors:
-- further deterioration on the worldwide financial markets, economic
recession in one or more of the world's major economies and the effect on
demand for semiconductors
Additional factors are mentioned in our press release of October 28th,
2008.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those described in this release as anticipated, believed or expected. We
do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update any information or
forward-looking statements set forth in this release to reflect subsequent
events or circumstances.
Unfavorable changes in the above or other factors listed under "Risk
Factors" from time to time in our SEC filings, including our Form 20-F, could
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial
condition.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering
semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications.
An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing
strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners
positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and
its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The
Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris
and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2007, the Company's net revenues were $10
billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.