High Tech Q4 profit climbs 34% on new phones

High Tech Computer Corp., the world's largest maker of handsets using Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating systems, reported a 34 percent increase in fourth-quarter profit on sales of more advanced models.

Net income climbed to NT$10 billion from the NT$7.45 billion a year earlier, the Taoyuan, Taiwan-based company said. The company was expected to post profit of NT$8.69 billion, according to the average estimate of 14 analysts compiled by Bloomberg.

High Tech introduced six models in the fourth quarter, including handsets with touch-screens that rival Apple Inc.'s iPhone.

Fourth-quarter sales increased 33 percent from a year earlier to a record NT$39 billion, the company said yesterday in a statement. That exceeded an October forecast for 20 percent growth. High Tech posted record revenue in October and November.