SAN JOSE – Wafer starts per week at semiconductor houses during the first quarter slipped to about 68% of overall capacity, the SIA said today.

AUSTIN, TX – April shipments of large-area TFT LCD panels reached 40.1 million units, up 6% sequentially, says DisplaySearch.
 
The 3% year-over-year increase in shipments marked the first positive year-over-year growth in seven months. However, revenues were 39% lower than April 2008, indicating the magnitude of price declines over the past year, says the research firm.

SALT LAKE CITY -- CirTran Corp., perhaps the world's only combination EMS/beverage provider, saw its quarterly net loss jump $2.1 million, mostly on non-cash charges.

VANCOUVER, BC -- Northstar Electronics reported first-quarter net losses narrowed 38.7% on a 15% increase in sales.

SAN JOSE -- In a final determination, the International Trade Commission has found for Tessera Technologies in its patent infringement claim against certain wireless manufacturers.