HTC: November sales tank due to strong competition from Apple, Samsung

HTC on Tuesday announced the unaudited consolidated revenues for the month of November 2011 and the numbers don’t look good. Consolidates sales in November were down 20 percent year-on-year and 30 percent sequentially to T$30.94 billion ($1.03 billion) in November 2011, down from T$38.48 billion ($1.27 billion) a year ago and down from T$44.11 billion, or approximately $1.46 billion, in October 2011.

The company says its fourth-quarter revenue would match its Q4 2010 metrics, or approximately $3.4 billion, which however represents a substantially lower projection compared to the original guidance of north of $4 billion in sales. The news couldn’t have come at worse time. HTC is currently awaiting a crucial decision in its legal fight with Apple that could result in a potential sales ban in the United States.

The United States International Trade Commission yesterday said it would delay the hearing by eight days, to December 14. The development could be deciphered as an indication that the Commission is close to a decision and is unlikely to postpone the hearing again. HTC’s share price dropped to a  17-month low following the ITC announcement.

The Taiwanese handset maker two weeks ago lowered fourth quarter forecast by as much as 23 percent, the first sales decline in two years, in the face of global competition from Apple and Samsung. The company specifically cited global macroeconomic downturn and market competition for the adjustment, adding it hoped that growth would return in the first half of next year. HTC is ranked the fourth smartphone maker globally in terms of units shipped.