Taiwan chipmaker Powerchip is having its best month in more than four years, good news for the company and a sign that chip demand is heating up again.

• August sales rose 76% from a year earlier, the highest monthly total in about 50 months.
• Higher prices are the main driver, along with stronger end demand for chips.
• Powerchip raised DRAM memory wafer prices 45% starting in July.
• Management expects sales to grow every quarter this year, with double-digit gains each quarter.

Outlook: The full benefit of the price increases should show up in sales and profits from November onward.