South Africa
Digilent has appointed Mantech as its authorised distributor for South Africa, with immediate effect, for its entire product range. Based in Washington, USA, Digilent designs, manufactures and distributes its electronic design tools on a worldwide basis. In addition to its own products, Digilent has OEM design and manufacturing services for leading technology companies including Xilinx, Analog Devices and Cypress Semiconductor. Through its three distribution centres in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, Mantech will be stocking and distributing the majority of Digilent’s range of products throughout southern Africa.
Overseas
Business
Semtech reported unaudited financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2012, which ended 29 January. Net revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $104,0 million, down 10,5% from the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 and down 16,1% from the third quarter of fiscal year 2012. Net revenue for the full fiscal year 2012 was $480,6 million, up 5,7% from fiscal year 2011. Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012 was $12,4 million or 19 cents per diluted share. This compares to GAAP net income of $26,0 million or 39 cents per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011 and GAAP net income of $27,0 million or 40 cents per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012. For the full fiscal year 2012, net income was $89,1 million or $1,32 per diluted share, up from $72,6 million or $1,12 per diluted share in fiscal year 2011.
Companies
Semtech has acquired Cycleo SAS and all of its assets, related companies and operations. Headquartered in France, privately-held Cycleo develops IP for wireless long-range semiconductor products used in smart metering and other industrial and consumer markets. Under the terms of the agreement, Semtech paid the stockholders of Cycleo $5 million in cash at closing. The stockholders will be able to earn up to an additional $16 million in cash based on the achievement of revenue and operating profit goals over the next four years.
Industry
Worldwide semiconductor revenue is projected to total $316 billion in 2012, a 4% increase from 2011, according to market analysis firm Gartner. This outlook is up from Gartner’s previous forecast in the fourth quarter of 2011 for 2,2% growth. The company’s analysis reveals that the inventory correction is expected to conclude imminently, foundry utilisation rates are bottoming and the economic outlook is stabilising.
Market analysis from Visiongain anticipates that global NFC (near-field communications) application revenue will reach $10,6 billion in 2012. Android, the leading smartphone OS, has full NFC compatibility which Google is using to push its m-wallet service. New entrants to the market include Android device makers such as Samsung, a major player in the smartphone space. Together these factors and other developments signal that NFC adoption rates are set to soar.
Worldwide solar photovoltaic (PV) market installations reached a record high of 27,4 gigawatts in 2011, up 40% Y/Y, according to the annual PV market report issued by NPD Solarbuzz. The PV industry generated $93 billion in global revenues in 2011, up 12% Y/Y, while the industry successfully raised more than $8 billion in corporate equity and debt. Of the more than 100 countries worldwide covered in the report, the top five PV markets were Germany, Italy, China, the United States and France, which together made up 74% of global demand in 2011.
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