Taiwan mobile giant HTC hit by poor profits Shares in Taiwanese mobile phone giant HTC have fallen following a disappointing fourth quarter. The drop came after HTC reported profits of $300 million, compared with $1 billion the same time last year. Even the recent release of its ONE MAX smartphone, to regain market share, failed to arrest a slide that has lasted nearly two years. Rising global competition, particularly from cheaper Chinese brands, are being blamed for the firm's poor results.