BRITISH chip designer ARM grew revenues by a fifth in fiscal 2011, running circles around the industry by racking up £491.8m compared to last year’s £406.6m.
Pre-tax profits for the fourth quarter jumped 45 per cent on the previous year to £69m. The Cambridge-based company upped its yearly earnings by over a third, counting £229.7m before tax.
ARM, which designs processors used in smartphones and tablets, shipped 2.2bn chips in the final quarter of the year, seeing a 40 per cent demand increase in processors for consumer and embedded digital devices.
Royalties jumped 21 per cent, compared to the industry rise of eight per cent.
This does not include the Christmas smartphone and tablet boom, as ARM counts royalties a quarter in arrears.
The digital designer seemed unfazed by Intel’s stride into the smartphone market. Finance director Tom Score said the move was expected, adding: “We continue to introduce new technology that is higher performance and lower power at the same time.”
Chief executive Warren East said: “2012 will bring exciting opportunities and challenges as ARM enters competitive new markets where we are well positioned to succeed with leading technology, an innovative business model and a thriving ecosystem of partners.”
Shares jumped seven per cent to £6.40 in early trading yesterday, before closing at £6.09.
