Chip industry supplier ASMI said it booked higher earnings and sales in the final quarter of 2007. In addition, its order books were higher than expected.

The company, which is under fire from activist shareholders, booked net profit of €19m in the final quarter. It’s front-end unit, which hedge fund Fursa wants to see split off, booked net profit of €3.4m.
ASMI said it expected 2008 to be a difficult year for the chip industry.