Taipei, Sept. 8, 2008 (CENS)--Thanks to the continued growth shipments and sales in own-brand products, Asustek Computer Inc., Taiwan`s largest manufacturer of motherboards, will see sales in the second half of this year grow over 30% from the first half.

The company predicted it would be able to score more than NT$25 billion (US$786.16 million at US$1:NT$31.8) in sales in August, setting an all-time record.

Despite significant decline in sales industry-wide caused by the U.S. subprime mortgage crisis and the vagueness of the global economy, Asustek still posted sound growth in sales in the first half of this year. Jerry Shen, Asustek president and chief executive officer, is optimistic about the development of his company in the third quarter of this year, traditionally the peak season for the electronic industry worldwide.

Asustek said it saw shipments of own-brand notebook personal computers grow 30% in August from the previous month. The company projected a shipment of between 15 million and 18 million units of NBs in the third quarter of this year.

The company estimated its monthly sales will hit an all-time-high in the third quarter of this year. The company registered NT$27 billion (US$849.05 million) in highest monthly sales of own-brand products last year.

Asustek scored a historic high record of after-tax earnings at NT$27.6 billion (US$867.92 million), or NT$7.5 (US$0.235) in earnings per share, last year. The company doled out NT$3.49 (US$0.11) in dividends, including NT$1 (US$0.03) in stock and NT$2.49 (US$0.078) in cash, this year.

Based on current capitalization of NT$42.4 billion (US$1.33 billion), Asustek is expected to score NT$6.5 (US$0.2) in after-tax earnings per share this year.

(by Ben Shen)