Chipmaker Analog Devices Forecasts Strong Q4 Results as Demand Recovers

Analog Devices' logo is pictured on a smartphone in this illustration taken, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Analog Devices' logo is pictured on a smartphone in this illustration taken, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Chipmaker Analog Devices Forecasts Strong Q4 Results as Demand Recovers

Analog Devices' logo is pictured on a smartphone in this illustration taken, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Analog Devices' logo is pictured on a smartphone in this illustration taken, December 4, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Analog Devices forecast fourth-quarter revenue and profit above Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, as it benefits from returning demand for its chips used in consumer electronics.

A decline in surplus chip inventory across sectors, including communication, consumer and industrial, has helped chipmakers see a recovery in orders after a years-long slump.

Analog Devices' consumer segment revenue rose 3% to $316.6 million in the third quarter, compared with analysts' average estimate of $289.3 million, according to LSEG data, Reuters reported.

Shares of Wilmington, Massachusetts-based Analog Devices rose 1.3% in premarket trading after the company's third-quarter profit of $1.58 per share also beat LSEG estimates of $1.51.

The company now expects fourth-quarter revenue of $2.40 billion, plus or minus $100 million, above LSEG estimates of $2.37 billion. It also sees adjusted earnings per share of $1.63, plus or minus 10 cents, compared with estimates of $1.62.

The upbeat forecast follows strong results from rival chipmaker Texas Instruments.

However, economic and geopolitical uncertainty continues to limit the pace of recovery, Analog Devices CFO Richard Puccio said.

Revenue for the company's industrial segment, the largest in terms of revenue, came in at $1.06 billion, slightly lower than analysts' expectations of $1.07 million.

Analog Devices provides semiconductors to businesses in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, communications, digital healthcare, and industrial automation among others.



Tencent-Backed Video Game ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Hits Record Player Numbers on Debut 

 The logo of Tencent is seen at Tencent office in Shanghai, China December 13, 2021. (Reuters)
The logo of Tencent is seen at Tencent office in Shanghai, China December 13, 2021. (Reuters)
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Tencent-Backed Video Game ‘Black Myth: Wukong’ Hits Record Player Numbers on Debut 

 The logo of Tencent is seen at Tencent office in Shanghai, China December 13, 2021. (Reuters)
The logo of Tencent is seen at Tencent office in Shanghai, China December 13, 2021. (Reuters)

A new video game title launched on Tuesday by a Tencent-backed startup has quickly become the most-played game on a major online platform, highlighting growing interest in Chinese-developed titles.

"Black Myth: Wukong," based on the Chinese mythological figure and classic novel "Journey to the West," topped Steam's most-played games chart with 1.4 million concurrent players hours after its release.

Game Science, the developer behind "Black Myth: Wukong," was founded in 2014 by former Tencent employee Feng Ji. The company has secured backing from several investors, including Chinese tech giant Tencent and mobile game publisher Hero Entertainment.

First teased in 2020, the game has attracted global attention as a high-budget title from China. Pre-orders opened on June 8, with the game topping Steam's China sales chart for the week of Aug. 6-13.

The Tuesday launch also made waves domestically, with "Black Myth: Wukong" trending on social media. The hashtag ranked second on Weibo, China's popular microblogging platform, accumulating 1.7 billion views.

Several major brands have leveraged the game's popularity in their marketing efforts. Lenovo Group, Luckin Coffee, and Didi are among those incorporating elements inspired by "Black Myth: Wukong" into their promotional campaigns.