"We do not have any comments on market rumors," J.H. Tzeng, a TSMC spokesman, said in response to a local newspaper report that Temasek [TEM.UL] was considering selling its 60 percent stake in Chartered Semiconductor to TSMC. The Chinese-language Economic Daily News cited unidentified sources as saying on Saturday that Temasek had contacted TSMC through Goldman Sachs.

Officials at both Temasek and Chartered Semi were not available for comment on Monday, but Chartered Semi has said it is open to investment by a strategic investor.

Around noon, TSMC's Taipei-listed shares fell 4.3 percent, while the main TAIEX share index .TWII shed 5.5 percent.

The report came at a time when technology companies, including chip foundries, are facing a slowing global economy that has taken a toll on consumer spending on new computers, mobile phones and flat-screen TVs that require microchips.

TSMC is set to release its third-quarter earnings and give guidance for the fourth quarter at its quarterly investor conference on Thursday.

It is widely expected that major contract chip makers will see their utilisation rates and wafer shipments decline further in the current quarter. (US$1=T$33.5).

By: DocMemory
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