Despite releasing a handful of stellar handsets, the end of last year brought bad news for HTC. The company’s posted a profit of just $US34.5 million for the final quarter of 2012 — its lowest ever since 2004.
For some perspective, that’s a $US99 million drop compared to the third quarter of 2012 and a staggering $US322 million fall compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. Those are frankly terrifying numbers for the Taiwanese manufacturer.
Somehow, CEO Peter Chou remains positive, claiming that “the worst for HTC has probably passed”. He could be right: HTC’s slew of high-spec (and well-received) new phones launched well into the fourth quarter of 2012, so their impact may be felt in 2013 instead. For HTC’s sake, let’s hope so. [HTC via The Verge]