Samsung Electronics Co. posted fourth-quarter profit that missed analysts’ estimates as slowing demand for high-end smartphones crimped sales of its own devices and prices for key components. Net income, excluding minority interests, fell 39 percent to 3.24 trillion won ($2.7 billion) in the three months ended December. That compares with the 5.4 trillion-won average of estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Lackluster demand for new smartphones is rippling across the industry, driving down prices for chips and displays while curbing sales of Samsung’s own Galaxy devices. The early releases of new products failed to spark the company’s sales while Apple Inc., Samsung’s biggest customer according to data compiled by Bloomberg, Tuesday forecast its first sales decline in more than a decade. “Expecting challenges in 2016 to maintain earnings due to a difficult business environment and slowing IT demand, the company will strive to improve performance in the second half,” Samsung said Thursday. Demand across the smartphone industry has slowed, putting pressure on components including chips and displays. (Bloomberg - Samsung Profit Misses Estimates on Smartphone Slump, Chips)