Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS), the second largest semiconductor designer from Taiwan, today announced monthly sales results for February, based on the company's preliminary estimates. Unlike VIA Technologies, the Hsinchu, Taiwan-based core-logic developer reports growth of revenue for the second consecutive year, what should clearly tell you who is who on the chipset market nowadays.

In February SiS’ revenues reached $40 million mark, a 27% increase over the same period a year ago, but 23% downturn compared to January 2003. SiS indicated that February is traditionally a soft month due to shorter working days and industry seasonality and annual maintenance. However, it worth to point out that last year SiS’ sales in February reduced only 12% compared to January, moreover, the annual growth achieved 29% compared to current 27%.

Summing everything up we should consider SiS’ results as very positive, especially keeping in mind the overall situation on the IT market. Not all companies can boast with sales growth these days. The bad side of this great success is lowering gross margins and even losses. As we already told you (see February 18, 2003 news-story), SiS’ average gross margins last year were 21%, down 5% from 2001. It is also estimated that SiS lost about $97 million on sales of approximately $450~460 million in 2002 (see February 17, 2003 news-story).