TSMC, UMC post mixed monthly results

''There are increasing concerns regarding potential overbuilds (and) double ordering for Golden Week/Windows 7 launch,'' according to a report from HSBC. ''Initial feedback from Golden Week 'sell-thru' looks quite strong and may imply inventories remain controlled.''

Golden Week in China is the name given to two annual national holidays. The "National Day Golden Week" begins around Oct. 1.

In any case, the foundries are seeing mixed results. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) said net sales were approximately NT$28.02 billion ($868.7 million) in September, a decrease of 3.0 percent from August 2009 and a decrease of 0.8 percent from September 2008. Revenues for January through September 2009 totaled NT$196.75 billion ($6.1 billion), a decrease of 24.6 percent compared to the same period in 2008.

United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) said net sales were approximately NT$9.5 billion ($294.5 million) in September, up 5.2 percent from August 2009 and up 18.4 percent from September 2008. Revenues for January through September 2009 totaled NT$60.9 billion ($1.9 billion), a decrease of 17.3 percent compared to the same period in 2008.