Infineon Technologies AG Thursday posted a narrower net loss in the fiscal second quarter but remained downbeat in its full-year outlook as the economic downturn continues to slam demand for consumer-electronic goods.

Semiconductor designer ARM Wednesday reported a 10% fall in first quarter dollar sales as consumer demand for electronic products continued to suffer, but said there are signs of an improving trend in the semiconductor market.

Fujitsu Microelectronics and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) on April 30 announced that they will collaborate on leading-edge process technology production for the manufacturing of Fujitsu's products. Under an agreement, Fujitsu will expand its 40nm generation logic IC business with production at TSMC's fabs.

Electrofluidic display promises full colour e-book readers soon

Industrial output in Japan rose in March for the first time in six months, according to government figures. Production rose by 1.6% in March compared with February, after months of dramatic decline.

Amkor Technology has announced net loss for the first quarter ended March 31, 2009 was US$22 million, compared to a net loss of US$623 million in the prior quarter. Gross margin for the quarter was 12%, and the company expects its gross margin climb to between 17% and 19% in the current quarter.