By Lisa Fleisher
LONDON--British microchip designer ARM Holdings PLC, which
designs silicon technology found in more than 95% of all
smartphones, said on Wednesday that it swung to a net profit of
GBP72.8 million ($111 million) in the fourth quarter.
Based in Cambridge, England, ARM said that revenue increased 19%
to GBP225.9 million ($334.4 million) in the three months ended Dec.
31, earning strong royalty revenue in line with market
expectations.
ARM said it would increase its dividend to 4.5 pence (6.9
cents), pushing its full 2014 dividend up 23% to 7 pence.
The company also gave guidance for the first quarter, saying it
expected revenue to be up 10% on the year. The first quarter should
reflect revenue stemming from strong sales of Apple's iPhone 6.
The fourth-quarter net profit compares with a loss of GBP6.2
million a year earlier, due to higher operating costs, including
patent acquisitions.
ARM makes money by licensing its designs to chip makers, then
collecting royalty revenue when the chips ship, either to handset
makers or to end consumers. Processor royalty revenue, a closely
watched figure, was up 16% year over year, following a weaker
performance a year earlier due to an inventory backlog in the
industry.
Licensing revenue was up 27% on the year to $162.3 million,
mainly based on 53 licenses signed for processors.
"License revenue momentum has continued throughout the year,"
said Chief Financial Officer Tim Score.
Write to Lisa Fleisher at lisa.fleisher@wsj.com
Access Investor Kit for ARM Holdings Plc
Visit
http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=GB0000595859
Access Investor Kit for Apple, Inc.
Visit
http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US0378331005
Access Investor Kit for ARM Holdings Plc
Visit
http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US0420681068
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires