TOKYO -- Disco, a Japanese producer of chipmaking equipment, appears likely to report a group operating profit of around 13 billion yen ($114 million) for the April-June period, an 88% increase on the year fueled by stepped up capital spending in the industry.
The black ink would top the 12.3 billion yen forecast and mark a record for the quarter. Sales apparently jumped 37% to roughly 43 billion yen, in line with guidance. Capital spending by South Korean and North American semiconductor manufacturers gave Disco a boost. The company also secured healthy sales of wafer-cutting devices, for which it controls the top global share. Prices for in-demand equipment are rising.
