ChipMOS REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2013 RESULTS

HSINCHU, Taiwan, May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --  

1Q13 Highlights (as compared to 4Q12):

• Net Revenue Decreased 9.2% to US$148.3 Million from US$163.3 Million
• Gross Profit Decreased to US$20.7 Million from US$25.8 Million
• Gross Margin Declined to 13.9% from 15.8%
• Net Earnings of US$0.42 Per Basic and US$0.41 Per Diluted Share Compared to US$0.26 Per Basic and US$0.25 Per Diluted Share
• Generated US$17.3 Million of Free Cash Flow after US$20.0 Million of CapEx
• Retained Balance of Cash and Cash Equivalents at US$310.4 Million
• Total Debt Reduced to US$277.6 Million With Net Cash of US$32.8 Million

ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD. ("ChipMOS" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: IMOS) today reported unaudited consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. All U.S. dollar figures in this release are based on the exchange rate of NT$29.81 against US$1.00 as of March 29, 2013.

Net revenue for the first quarter of 2013 was NT$4,420.7 million or US$148.3 million, an increase of 0.8% from NT$4,384.0 million or US$147.1 million for the same period in 2012 and a decrease of 9.2% from NT$4,867.4 million or US$163.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2012.  The revenue decline in the quarter was less severe than implied by the Company's guidance that revenue in the first quarter of 2013 would be lower by approximately 9% to 13%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2012.

Net income for the first quarter of 2013 was NT$363.6 million or US$12.2 million, and NT$12.58 or US$0.42 per basic common share and NT$12.31 or US$0.41 per diluted common share, as compared to net loss for the first quarter of 2012 of NT$169.1 million or US$5.7 million, and NT$6.26 or US$0.21 per basic and diluted common share.

The unaudited consolidated financial results of ChipMOS for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013 included the financial results of ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., ChipMOS U.S.A., Inc., ThaiLin Semiconductor Corp. ("ThaiLin") and MODERN MIND TECHNOLOGY LIMITED and its wholly-owned subsidiary ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Shanghai) LTD.

S.J. Cheng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ChipMOS, said, "First quarter revenue and gross margin came in at the high-end of prior guidance.  We delivered a 64% improvement in net earnings per diluted share, and drove further balance sheet improvements. Results reflect the strength of our underlying business, and favorable customer and product mix, as we were able to improve our overall utilization rate to 75% and lessen the impact of typical seasonality related to Chinese New Year and normal customer demand patterns.  Finally, shares of our subsidiary, ChipMOS Taiwan, commenced trading on Taiwan's emerging stock board of Gre Tai Securities Market under stock code 8150 on April 19, 2013. We will continue to work towards satisfying the eligibility requirements for listing ChipMOS Taiwan onto the Taiwan Stock Exchange ("TSE") in the second quarter of 2014."   

S.K. Chen, Chief Financial Officer of ChipMOS, said, "We exited the first quarter with a strong balance of cash and cash equivalents at US$310.4 million, with free cash flow of US$17.3 million in Q1 2013 after CapEx of US$20.0 million in the quarter.  This allowed us to further reduce our total debt by another US$35.6 million to US$277.6 million, which in turn improved our net debt to equity ratio to -8.1% as of March 31, 2013 from 0.1% in Q4 2012.  We are encouraged by our return to a net positive cash balance and remain committed to sustaining this important level.  Our overall blended utilization improved to 75% in the first quarter, as we continued to meet customer capacity demands, while focusing on our objective of regaining greater profitability. We are confident that we are winning by prudently adding the right capacity in support of specific customer programs, as we focus on mutually growing in higher margin segments with the greatest growth potential."

According to the Rule No. 0990004943 issued by the Financial Supervisory Commission ("FSC") on February 2, 2010, companies with shares listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange or traded on the Gre Tai Securities Market or emerging stock board need to prepare their consolidated financial statements in accordance with the Guidelines Governing the Preparation of Financial Reports by Securities Issuers, the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"), International Accounting Standards, interpretations as well as related guidance translated by Accounting Research and Development Foundation and issued by the FSC for the year ending December 31, 2013. Therefore, the Company is following its listed subsidiary, ThaiLin, and will prepare its consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2013 in accordance with IFRSs. The unaudited financial information for this quarter is prepared in accordance with IFRSs. The comparative figures have been restated in accordance with IFRSs for better comparison.

Taiwan Listing Update

ChipMOS Bermuda sold an 0.8% interest in ChipMOS Taiwan, as the Company announced on April 18, 2013, following the subsidiary's listing application on Taiwan's emerging stock board of the Gre Tai Securities Market.  The share sale was made to transfer shares to ChipMOS Taiwan's listing underwriters, as required by the listing engagement and application, and to also allow ChipMOS Taiwan to provide equity incentive to its non-U.S. employees. 

As part of ChipMOS Taiwan's efforts in ensuring success in establishing its eligibility for listing on the TSE, ChipMOS Bermuda will be required to reduce its current ownership interest of 83.4% in ChipMOS Taiwan to 70% or less.  The Company continues to work towards satisfying the eligibility requirements for listing ChipMOS Taiwan onto the TSE in the second quarter of 2014.

Second Quarter 2013 Outlook

The Company expects revenue for second quarter of 2013 to increase by approximately 10% to 14%, as compared to the first quarter of 2013.  The Company expects gross margin on a consolidated basis to be in the range of approximately 14% to 18% for the second quarter of 2013.  The Company anticipates depreciation and amortization expenses for the second quarter of 2013 to be approximately US$29 million.  Operating expenses are expected to be approximately 6% to 7% of revenues in the second quarter of 2013.  The Company expects CapEx spending to be approximately US$32 million in the second quarter of 2013, with CapEx spending for the full year 2013 to be approximately US$100 million.  Common shares at the end of the second quarter of 2013 are expected to be approximately 29 million.

Mr. Cheng continued, "We expect a further improvement in demand across the board as we move through 2013 and remain confident in our outlook for the year.  We continue to gain visibility as our customers become more certain in their operating plans for 2013."

Investor Conference Call / Webcast Details

ChipMOS will review detailed first quarter 2013 results on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 8:00AM EDT (8:00PM, May 16, Taiwan time). The conference call-in number is +1-201-689-8562.  A live webcast of the conference call will be available at ChipMOS' website at http://www.chipmos.com.  The playback is scheduled to be available in 2 hours after the conclusion of the conference call and will be accessible by dialing +1-858-384-5517, with confirmation ID number 412908.

About ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.:

ChipMOS (http://www.chipmos.com) is a leading independent provider of semiconductor testing and assembly services to customers in Taiwan, Japan, and the U.S. With advanced facilities in Hsinchu and Southern Taiwan Science Parks in Taiwan and Shanghai, ChipMOS and its subsidiaries provide testing and assembly services to a broad range of customers, including leading fabless semiconductor companies, integrated device manufacturers and independent semiconductor foundries.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this announcement may be viewed as "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual performance, financial condition or results of operations of the Company to be materially different from any future performance, financial condition or results of operations implied by such forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and in the Company's other filings with the SEC.

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SOURCE ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES (Bermuda) LTD.