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Q2 net profit expected to rise 11% on-year
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Foxconn bullish on AI server demand
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Q2 earnings call at 0700 GMT on Thursday
(Updates market forecast details in paragraphs 1 and 2)
By Wen-Yee Lee
TAIPEI, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Foxconn,
the world's largest contract electronics maker, is expected to
report on Thursday that second-quarter profit rose 11% on
continued strong demand for artificial intelligence servers.
Net profit for April-June for Apple's ( AAPL ) top iPhone
assembler and Nvidia's ( NVDA ) server maker likely came in at
T$38.8 billion ($1.30 billion), up from T$35.05 billion a year
earlier, according to LSEG's consensus estimate.
Foxconn, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry ( HNHPF ), last
month reported record second-quarter revenue on strong demand
for AI products but cautioned about geopolitical and exchange
rate headwinds.
Global trade uncertainty could dim the prospects for its
outlook this year, as it has a major manufacturing presence in
China, though Washington and Beijing this week extended a tariff
truce for another 90 days.
Most of the iPhones Foxconn makes for Apple ( AAPL ) are assembled in
China, but the bulk of those sold in the United States are now
produced in India. The company is also building factories in
Mexico and Texas to make AI servers for Nvidia ( NVDA ).
In its July sales report, Foxconn said while the third
quarter should see on-year growth - the company does not provide
numerical guidance - the impact of "evolving global political
and economic conditions" would need continued close monitoring.
Foxconn has also been looking to expand its footprint in
electric vehicles, which the company sees as a major future
growth generator, though that has not always gone smoothly.
Earlier this month, Foxconn said it had struck a deal to
sell a former car factory at Lordstown, Ohio, for $375 million,
including its machinery, but said it would continue to use the
site to make a broader range of products aligned with its
strategic priorities.
Foxconn has expanded beyond its traditional role as an
iPhone assembler in other areas too. Last month it formed a
strategic partnership with industrial motor maker TECO Electric
& Machinery to build data centres.
Foxconn holds its earnings call at 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) in
Taipei on Thursday, where it will also update its outlook for
the year.
Foxconn's shares have risen 7.9% so far this year,
outperforming the broader Taiwan index's 5.8% gain.
($1 = 29.9420 Taiwan dollars)