German chipmakers report lower third quarter sales as downturn bites

BERLIN (Reuters) - German chipmakers Aixtron and Siltronic on Thursday reported a fall in third quarter sales, hurt by weaker demand due to a global economic downturn that has weighed on the microchip industry.Chip equipment maker Aixtron posted a 17% quarterly drop in sales in the third quarter while profit fell 15%, sending shares down more than 10%. But the company said it expected order intake and revenue to grow in the fourth quarter and confirmed its full-year outlook.Silicon wafer maker..