February 6, 2006 – Nikon Corp. posted a profit of ¥12.5 billion (US $105.1 million) in fiscal 3Q06, down 7% from a year ago but up 54% from the prior quarter.
Sales were up 26% year-on-year to ¥192.9 billion ($1.62 billion), though down 44% sequentially. More IC steppers were sold during the quarter (41 total units sold vs. 35 in 3Q05), although the company sold just 12 LCD steppers vs. 28 a year ago.
Nikon has slightly raised its projections for the full fiscal year to ¥710 billion ($5.97 billion) in sales and an ¥18 billion ($151.4 million) profit, although it expects to sell 20 fewer steppers for IC manufacturing due to sluggish 1H06 demand.