Compal Posts Seventh Consecutive Profit as Demand Slows

Compal Electronics Inc. (2324), the world’s second-largest contract maker of notebooks, posted its seventh consecutive decline in profit, missing estimates, as demand for computers slows globally.

First-quarter net income dropped 47 percent to NT$1.87 billion ($63 million) from NT$3.5 billion a year earlier, the Taipei-based company said in a statement. The average of 10 analysts estimates compiled by Bloomberg was for profit of NT$2.28 billion.

Competition from Apple Inc.’s iPad and more-powerful smartphones have prompted consumers to spend less on computers, resulting in global shipment growth slowing to 0.5 percent last year from the 14 percent pace in the previous 12-month period. New models, including high-end ultrabooks, and a new processor from Intel Corp. may help revenue climb this quarter.

Consolidated revenue fell 5.7 percent from a year earlier to NT$161.3 billion. That figure will rise to NT$183.4 billion this quarter with net income of NT$3.1 billion, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

Compal shares added 1.5 percent to close at NT$33.6 today in Taipei before the announcement. The stock has climbed 11 percent this year, compared with a 6.1 percent advance in the benchmark Taiex index.

To contact the reporter on this story: Tim Culpan in Taipei at tculpan1@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Tighe at mtighe4@bloomberg.net.