Confusion abounds on Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) much vaunted TV set, with yesterday’s reports on a mid-2012 launch contradicted – the likely launch date now set for the end of 2012. Digitimes Displays followed up today on its previous story regarding Samsung and Sharp lining up production facilities for a mid-2012 launch of the Apple TV.

According to Digitimes, a fresh group of sources now claims that “Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM), Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (NYSE:ASX) and Siliconware Precision Industries (NASDAQ:SPIL) have the potential to win orders for Apple’s smart TV. Foxconn Electronics will likely obtain assembly orders for the Apple smart TV”.

They further claim that Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) will likely finalize hardware standards only by second-quarter of 2012 and thereafter place manufacturing orders with its contractors.

Here’s how these companies are reacting to the Apple TV speculation:

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL): AAPL shares recently traded at $403.58, down $2.95, or 0.73%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $310.50 to $426.70. Volume today was 5,226,650 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 16,676,100 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 14.58, while trailing earnings are $27.68 per share.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM): TSM shares recently traded at $13.00, down $0.02, or 0.15%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $10.75 to $14.05. Volume today was 3,026,796 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 11,990,000 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 14.29, while trailing earnings are $0.91 per share.

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering Inc. (NYSE:ASX): ASX shares recently traded at $4.35, down $0.04, or 0.91%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $4.00 to $6.66. Volume today was 963,904 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 1,145,160 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 11.30, while trailing earnings are $0.39 per share.

Siliconware Precision Industries Co. Ltd. (NASDAQ:SPIL): SPIL shares recently traded at $4.31, down $0.07, or 1.6%. They have traded in a 52-week range of $3.92 to $7.27. Volume today was 2,095,466 shares versus a 3-month average volume of 2,286,490 shares. The company’s trailing P/E is 17.24, while trailing earnings are $0.25 per share.

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