Image sensor specialist PixArt Imaging expects its revenues to start picking up in March, as inventory adjustments at customers are about to come to an end, according to industry sources.
The company's fourth-quarter 2021 revenues plunged 30.4% sequentially to NT$1.644 billion (US$59.01 million) due to uneven component supplies, inventory adjustments at clients, and the traditional slow season for the quarter, the sources said. Its lackluster shipment performance will persist in the first two months of 2022 before starting a rebound in March, the sources continued.
But PixArt's annual revenues rose 8% on year to NT$8.801 billion in 2021, with strong sales of optical tracker sensors, surveillance and security sensors, object motion sensors, and TWS (true wireless stereo) headphone chips driving the growth. Its shipments of optical mouse sensors also grew slightly in 2021, but sensors for game consoles posted a 10% sales decline due to shortages of certain chips.
In terms of product portfolios, optical mouse sensors contributed 52% of the company's 2021 revenues, down from 56% in 2020. Gaming sensors declined to 13% from 15% in 2020, and other applications rose to 35% from 29% in 2020.
In 2022, the company is still optimistic about stable shipments for optical mouse sensors for desktops, notebooks, and gaming PCs. Sensor sales for games consoles are also poised to pick up steadily as demand remains strong and uneven chip supplies are expected to improve gradually, the sources said.
Among other applications, optical tracking sensor sales are expected to double again in 2022, while capacitive touch, TWS, and ambience light sensing solutions are also set to see significant shipment increases, the sources added.
