Transmeta Slashes Revenue Guidance as Weakness Hits Japan
Upstart microprocessor maker
Transmeta
(TMTA)
will miss its revenue numbers this quarter almost by half and take a charge for extra inventory because of lower shipments in Japan, where most of the company's sales occur.
The company said Wednesday that it sees revenue falling by 40% to 45% from the $18.6 million it brought in during the first quarter of 2001. That puts revenue at about $10.23 million to $11.16 million. The company had told analysts to expect revenue to be flat to slightly higher in the second quarter from the first. A consensus estimate of four analysts expected revenue of $19.55 million, according to
Thomson Financial/First Call
.
Transmeta said that Japan is now facing the economic weakness that affected other regions earlier this year. Transmeta makes the
Crusoe
chip, a low-power chip that is used in some mobile computers because it produces less heat, and therefore, uses less space. Some of the companies that use Transmeta chips include
Toshiba
,
Sony
(SNE) - Get Report
and
NEC
(NIPNY)
.
The semiconductor industry has been under pressure since last fall as sales of personal computers have weakened amid light consumer demand. Transmeta lost 10 cents a share last quarter and is expected to lose 11 cents a share in the second quarter, according to First Call. The company, which went public in November, isn't expected to turn a profit until the fourth quarter of 2002.