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NEWS & VIEWS |
Taipei,
Thursday, July 24, 2008
00:09 (GMT+8)
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Subject: Bits + chips > Memory |
Taiwan makers mixed about SanDisk's 2Q losses Jul 23, 01:10 In the wake of SanDisk's poor results for the second quarter, Taiwan-based memory module makers worry that the US company will resort to aggressive pricing to clear its inventory, but controller designers see outsourcing opportunities, according to industry sources. Read more |
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Taiwan DRAM makers to completely phase out production at 8-inch fabs by 2009 Jul 22, 15:28 Most Taiwan DRAM makers are expected to completely phase out commodity DRAM production at 8-inch fabs by 2009. Among all major DRAM makers in Taiwan, only Nanya Technology is expected to continue to house a single 8-inch fab producing DRAM. Read more |
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North America semiconductor equipment book-to-bill 0.85 in June Jul 22, 11:55 North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted US$1.03 billion in orders in June 2008 (three-month average basis) and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.85 according to the June 2008 Book-to-Bill Report recently published by SEMI. A book-to-bill of 0.85 means that US$85 worth of orders were received for every US$100 of product billed for the month. Read more |
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NAND flash controller makers see demand warming up Jul 22, 10:38 After suffering from plummeting prices in June, NAND flash memory controller IC design houses are seeing an improved market demand status, though growth is not consistent. Most leading controller IC design houses expect their July sales to grow by double digits due to demand warming-up and industry players keeping discipline over supply. Read more |
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ProMOS refutes rumors amid abnormal share transactions Jul 22, 10:32 Having seen its shares targeted by short-sellers recently, ProMOS Technologies posted a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on July 20 to clarify a series of rumors that have been circulating in the local Taiwan market. Read more |
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PCB maker Tripod conservative about 3Q Jul 22, 01:10 PCB maker Tripod Technology remains conservative about its prospects for the third quarter, with the company commenting that the peak season is expected to be delayed this year, and since market demand is not currently showing any major sign of improvement, the company is lacking order visibility. Read more |
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Handsets to account for 40% of NAND flash demand in 2008, says inSpectrum Jul 18, 16:59 Handsets will continue to serve as the key sales driver for NAND flash in 2008 and account for almost 40% of NAND flash capacity, thanks to growing adoption of small-form factor memory cards. Digital media players and digital cameras will be the two key applications after handset in terms of NAND flash, said inSpectrum. Read more |
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Taiwan government loosens restrictions on China investments Jul 18, 15:39 Taiwan's Executive Yuan (Cabinet) on July 17 eased restrictions on investment by Taiwan-based companies in China in a bid to allow local companies to utilize their capital more efficiently so as to improve their competitiveness, according to government officials. Read more |
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SEMI expects semiconductor equipment sales to fall 20% to US$34 billion in 2008 Jul 18, 09:59 Semi projects 2008 semiconductor equipment sales will reach US$34.12 billion according to its mid-year Semi capital equipment forecast. The forecast indicates that, following 6% market growth in 2007, the equipment market will decline 20% in 2008, but will experience a rebound with annual growth of 13% and 6% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Read more |
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Samsung collaborates with Sun on server SSDs Jul 18, 09:51 Samsung Electronics has announced that it has collaborated with Sun Microsystems to develop a single-level-cell NAND flash memory device for use in solid state drives that offer much higher endurance levels than any other flash memory device on the market today. Read more |
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Transcend profits surge despite gloomy memory outlook Jul 17, 11:14 A cyclical dip in DRAM and NAND flash demand did not crimp earnings of leading memory module maker Transcend Information, as evidenced in the company's record-high shipments and profits in the second quarter of 2008. Read more |
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PTI expected to see slower 3Q growth Jul 16, 01:05 Packaging and testing house Powertech Technology Incorporated (PTI) expects demand to pick up in the third quarter during the high season although sequential growth will only be 3-5%, according to industry sources. Read more |
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Elpida develops power-efficient 2Gbps high-speed DDR3 Jul 15, 17:22 Elpida Memory announced today that it has developed a power-efficient DDR3 SDRAM in 1Gb densities, which is capable of operating at a speed of 2Gbps. Read more |
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DRAMeXchange: DRAM contract price to remain flat in July Jul 15, 16:27 The DRAM contract price is going to stay flat through July, after seeing prices steadily increase since April, according to DRAMeXchange. Read more |
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ASE subscribes for private unsecured corporate bond issued by PSC Stockwatch | Jul 15, 11:48 Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) posted a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) announcing that it has subscribed for nine units of the corporate bond issue held by Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) at a per unit price of NT$50 million. Read more |
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A-Data swings to profits in 2Q, but still at a loss for 1H08 Jul 15, 11:31 Despite recording profits in the second quarter, A-Data Technology still suffered losses in the first half of 2008, with a net loss per share of NT$1.97 reported, according to company revealed financial figures. Read more |
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Applied Materials wins system support contract with Inotera Jul 15, 10:34 Applied Materials announced that it has signed a two-year system support contract with Inotera Memories, a leading DRAM manufacturer in Taiwan. The contract covers all Applied systems in Inotera's 300mm facilities. Under this agreement, Inotera is expected to realize significant cost savings over their current practices, as well as improved system productivity. Read more |
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IC distributor PCT guides for double-digit sales growth for 3Q Jul 14, 11:37 IC distributor Professional Computer Technology (PCT) has issued third-quarter guidance for sales growth reaching 15-20% amid clearer order visibility, especially from the notebook segment, said company company general manager Chiang-Sung Fu. Read more |
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Semi equipment spending worse than expected, to fall 22% in 2008, says Gartner Jul 11, 10:36 Continued economic uncertainty, combined with weakness in memory markets, will result in worldwide capital equipment spending totaling US$49.2 billion in 2008, a 22.4% decrease from 2007, according to the latest projections by Gartner. The numbers are down from Gartner's April forecast of a 19.8% decline in spending for 2008. Read more |
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Nanya: Some customers willing to accept rising DRAM ASP Jul 10, 16:40 Amid the upcoming seasonal upturn in the PC market, Nanya Technology indicated that its US-based customers are generally accepting about a price hike for the first half of July, said company executives. Read more |
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Samsung MLC-based 128GB SSD now in volume production Jul 10, 12:15 Samsung Electronics announced that it has begun mass producing 1.8- and 2.5-inch multi-level cell (MLC)-based solid state drives (SSD) with a 128GB storage capacity. Mass production of the Samsung MLC-based 64GB SSD also began in July. Read more |
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Elpida and Numonyx sign foundry deal for NOR flash production at 12-inch fab Jul 10, 12:14 Elpida Memory and Numonyx, the NOR flash joint venture (JV) of Intel and STMicroelectronics, announced they have signed a letter of intent (LOI) to enter into a foundry agreement for Numonyx to utilize Elpida's 12-inch wafer fab in Hiroshima, Japan to manufacture NOR flash memory. Read more |
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PQI June sales supported by new DRAM module OEM orders Jul 10, 12:13 While many leading memory module houses saw their June sales dampened by weak memory pricing, Power Quotient International (PQI) reported a 14% sequential increase in sales, thanks to new DRAM module OEM orders, according to the company. Read more |
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Acer to sell off memory module subsidiary Apacer Jul 9, 01:10 Acer has decided to sell off all of its 34.4% holding in memory module subsidiary Apacer Technology, with Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC), A-Data Technology, and Apacer's current management team set to take up the released shares, according to industry sources. Read more |
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The launch of Centrino 2 to boost Taiwan supply chain, says paper Newswatch | Jul 8, 14:51 Intel recently issued a notice that its Centrino 2 notebook platform (Montevina) will launch on July 15 in Taiwan. Industry players that form the platform's supply chain in Taiwan are all gearing up in order to fulfill Intel's forecast of a penetration rate of 30-40% by the end of the third quarter, and 50-60% by the end of the year, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report. Read more |
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DRAM module makers expect demand to recover Jul 8, 11:13 Major DRAM module makers A-Data Technology and Transcend Information, though seeing their June sales dampened by weak memory pricing, both anticipate improving demand in the second half of 2008. Read more |
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DRAM bit growth limited in 3Q Jul 4, 14:10 The bit growth of the global DRAM industry will be limited in the third quarter of this year as most DRAM makers around the globe have postponed either construction of new plants or other capacity expansion projects, according to sources at Taiwan DRAM makers. Read more |
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Packaging house TICP likely to trim its sales guidance Jul 3, 12:21 Taiwan IC Packaging (TICP) is likely to fall short of its sales guidance for 2008 and its profitability guidance for the second quarter, according to sources at the company. Read more |
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Phison updates profitability details Jul 2, 16:10 Controller IC design house Phison Electronics recently announced its gross margin and earnings per share (EPS) for April and May, but said figures for June are not yet available. Read more |
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Samsung to reduce NAND flash supply in July amid Apple orders Jul 2, 16:05 Samsung Electronics has informed downstream customers it will start reducing its supply of NAND flash chips to them from July as its key customer Apple has placed a large batch of orders, according to sources at the company's customers. Read more |
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Head of SanDisk Taiwan announces unexpected resignation Jul 1, 11:30 The ex-MSystems Asia president and head of SanDisk Taiwan following the merger of the companies, recently announced his unexpected resignation. According to industry speculation, the step down was called for after the regional division incurred heavy losses from TwinMOS Technologies' account with the company. Read more |
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FATC prepares expansion along with Inotera 70nm transition Jul 1, 11:16 As Inotera Memories has already moved all its DRAM production to 70nm, its backend production partner Formosa Advanced Technologies Company (FATC) plan to expand its corresponding capacity to fulfill growing demand, according to the company. Read more |
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Tera Probe and PTI form joint venture in Taiwan Jun 30, 12:28 Tera Probe announced on June 27 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Powertech Technology (PTI) on the establishment of a joint venture company, TeraPower Technology, in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Read more |
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SanDisk adds distributors in Taiwan Newswatch | Jun 27, 14:59 SanDisk has expanded its distributor network in Taiwan from two to four from June, with the new distributors each specializing in specific market segments, according to industry players. Read more |
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Inotera ownership still in question Jun 27, 12:32 How Nanya Technology and Qimonda are going to re-arrange their stakes at joint venture Inotera Memories remains uncertain, as no final decision was made during a recent Inotera shareholders meeting. Read more |
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DRAM demand becomes even weaker as the China government steps up contraband investigations Jun 27, 01:10 Due to the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the government in China has started investigations into contraband among local Internet cafes, leading to a sharp drop in the demand for DRAM, according to sources at DRAM makers. Read more |
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Drops in NAND flash contract pricing to intensify in July, says InSpectrum Jun 27, 01:05 Following a 20% sequential price drop for mainstream 8Gb multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash at the contract market in the second half of June, an intensified drop should be seen in July as industry players are being exposed to aggravated end-of-quarter financial pressure, according to InSpectrum. Read more |
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A-Data announces treasury share buyback program; asserts healthy memory inventory Jun 26, 01:10 While announcing a treasury share buyback program, memory module maker A-Data Technology noted inventory levels for both DRAM and NAND flash are healthy as the company has grown its inventory awareness amid the current weak pricing environment. Read more |
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Silicon Motion announces three new SSD controllers optimized for MLC NAND flash Jun 25, 16:36 Silicon Motion Technology has announced the launch of three new controllers for solid-state drives (SSDs). Read more |
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InSpectrum: Defective Samsung chips, but not 80 million of them Jun 24, 01:05 After reviewing recent DRAM price trends in both the spot and contract markets, memory-specialist research firm InSpectrum noted that the relative stable pricing could not justify recent claims that a batch of 80 million (in 1Gb equivalent) 68nm-made DRAM chips from Samsung Electronics were defective, as such a volume would be sure to affect both DRAM markets in a noticeable manner. Read more |
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NEC and Elpida to establish display driver IC joint venture Jun 20, 15:52 NEC Electronics and Elpida Memory have announced they have agreed to form a joint venture in the field of display driver ICs. The basic agreement is the result of an alignment of views between NEC, which aims to grow its display driver IC business by boosting production efficiency, and Elpida, which aims to efficiently utilize its 12-inch production line, according to the companies. Read more |
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DRAM module makers extend presence to PC OEMs Newswatch | Jun 20, 15:33 Relationships between DRAM and module makers may see growing conflicts as some branded memory module makers have recently started soliciting orders from PC OEMs, according to industry sources. Read more |
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Samsung said to have large batch of defective 68nm DRAM chips Jun 18, 16:06 Following the speculated DRAM production issues on 66nm process node at Hynix Semiconductor, rival Samsung Electronics is also said to have a large batch of DRAM chips being rejected by customers. Industry players are worried that this batch of defective DRAM will be dumped on the spot market and aggravate weak pricing further. Read more |
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Stable growth for DRAM price in 3Q08, says DRAMeXchange Jun 17, 17:07 Despite the possibility of lower DRAM contract quotes in the second half of June, DRAMeXchange projects that DRAM pricing should have a stable upward trend in the third quarter of 2008. Read more |
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NAND flash pricing hits new lows Jun 16, 16:12 The price of NAND flash chips has continued to fall, with the price of 8Gb NAND flash recently dropping to as low as US$2.35 amid weak demand for consumer electronics products as consumers worldwide tighten their spending in fear of inflation. Read more |
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ProMOS sees stabilizing DRAM pricing Jun 16, 10:15 During a recent shareholders conference, ProMOS Technologies chairman ML Chen said he is positive about the outlook for the DRAM industry in the third quarter of 2008 due to limited supply growth at leading players. A stabilized pricing is already seen, which should help bring a double digit sequential sales growth for the company in June. Read more |
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Apacer introduces combo SSD Jun 13, 15:17 In order to address the performance and cost issues currently faced by solid-state drives (SSDs), Apacer Technology recently introduced a combo SSD equipped with both multi-level cell (MLC) and single-level cell (SLC) NAND flash chips. Read more |
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Alcor Micro said to land card reader controller orders from Asustek and HP Jun 13, 12:15 After drawing investment from Asustek Computer in 2007, Alcor Micro is said to have landed card reader controller IC orders for low-cost notebooks (netbooks) from Asustek and Hewlett-Packard (HP), according to industry sources. Read more |
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Storage and memory players address SSDs at Computex Jun 13, 09:37 This year Computex Taipei 2008 was abuzz with discussions about transitions in the market from conventional hard-disk drives (HDD) to solid-state drives (SSD), with players in the upstream and downstream market segments all having an opinion about how quickly signifigacant SSD penetrataiton will occur. Read more |
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SIA lowers 2008 semiconductor sales growth forecast Jun 12, 10:14 Healthy demand from key end-markets will keep worldwide semiconductor sales at record levels through 2011, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said recently. However, continued strong competition in memory chips - principally DRAMs - will result in slower growth in 2008. Read more |
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SSD Alliance to introduce first testing program in July Jun 12, 01:10 An alliance advocated by Taiwan-based companies for the standardization of solid-state drive (SSD) testing will introduce the first set of testing standards in July. Members of the alliance aim to invite leading chipmakers and PC vendors to join the league. Read more |
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Qimonda and Elpida conclude final agreements for strategic partnership Jun 12, 01:00 Qimonda and Elpida Memory announced that they have signed final contracts for a strategic technology partnership on joint development of memory chips (DRAMs). Based on Qimonda's with Buried Wordline technology and Elpida's advanced stack capacitor technology, the companies will jointly develop technology platforms and design rules. Read more |
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