 |
NEWS & VIEWS |
Taipei,
Thursday, December 4, 2008
05:56 (GMT+8)
|
|
|
|
Hynix announces development of 2Gb mobile DRAM Dec 3, 15:20 Hynix Semiconductor announced it has developed 2Gb mobile DRAM chips using 54nm process technology. Read more |
|
|
Winbond executes second-round capacity cut for 2008 Newswatch - Dec 3, 11:55 Winbond Electronics has recently reduced its commodity DRAM capacity by 20% and is moving to allocate more capacity to specialty DRAM output, the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) reported today. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
DRAM makers' November sales expected to plunge on production cuts and sliding quotes Dec 3, 11:20 Major DRAM makers Nanya Technology, Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) and ProMOS Technologies are estimated to post revenue drops of 40-50% sequentially in November, with their combined revenues expected to fall drastically to below NT$5 billion (US$149 million) as a result of the companies' production cuts, according to market sources. Read more |
|
|
Number of DRAM makers in Asia to shrink, says report Newswatch - Dec 2, 12:03 The Chinese-language news website cnYES.com yesterday cited a report conducted by the Paris Stock Exchange that indicated that the number of DRAM manufacturers in Asia may fall to six in 2009, down from 11 in 2004. In other words, the DRAM industry in Asia must confront the inevitability of industry consolidation. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan DRAM makers expected to report falling revenues in November, but losses narrow Newswatch - Dec 2, 11:59 Taiwan's major DRAM makers – Inotera Memories, Nanya Technology, Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) and ProMOS Technologies – are all expected to post double-digit sequential drops in their November sales, according to today's Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN). Read more |
|
|
Commentary: Growing popularity of low-cost PCs bad for DRAM makers Dec 2, 11:15 Over the past few years, DRAM makers had been expanding capacity aggressively on industries' positive estimates of how the Windows Vista operating system would stimulate market demand and buoy PC component prices. Consequently, an unexpected supply-demand imbalance is now hitting the industry amid a faltering global economy. Read more |
|
|
DRAM prices drop to new lows Dec 2, 10:08 DRAM prices have dropped to new lows, with 1GB DDR2 reaching only US$0.6, according to market sources. Read more |
|
|
Micron likely to increase orders for ChipMOS, SPIL and FATC Nov 28, 15:30 ChipMOS Technologies, Siliconware Precision Industries (SPIL) and Formosa Advanced Technologies Company (FATC) are expected to benefit from Micron Technology after it completes the acquisition of Qimonda's stake in Inotera Memories, according to market sources. Read more |
|
|
Qimonda completes sale of Inotera shares Nov 28, 10:25 Qimonda has announced the completion of the sale of its Inotera stake to Micron and the receipt of the second tranche of US$200 million in cash. Read more |
|
|
Elpida to increase stake in Rexchip to 52% Nov 28, 01:00 Elpida Memory's board of directors has decided to increase its holdings in Rexchip Electronics, its Taiwan-based joint venture founded along with strategic partner Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC). Read more |
|
|
Efficiency, differentiation, time-to-market and localized service are keys to probe card success: Q&A with FormFactor CEO Mario Ruscev Nov 27, 15:48 FormFactor, a leading provider of advanced wafer probe cards, has inevitably taken a hit to its operations as a result of the tough economic times. Due to the global economic downturn having led to a negative output gap, FormFactor saw quarterly losses for the first time in 2008. Downsizing workforce has become an essential consideration in every enterprise's expenses-reduction strategy, but FormFactor stresses the importance of continuous investment in R&D in order to develop more cost-effective solutions. Read more |
|
|
DRAM and NAND flash pricing drop to new lows Nov 27, 01:05 DRAM and NAND flash chip prices both recently dropped to new lows with 1Gb DDR2 chips at around US$0.70 and NAND flash chips falling around 20% over the past two weeks, according to sources at memory makers. Read more |
|
|
Transcend chairman urges truce among DRAM makers Nov 26, 14:02 Peter Su, chairman of memory module maker Transcend Information, has urged Taiwan's DRAM makers to reach a truce. Not only should the goverment take measures to bail out the local DRAM industry, but its players should also need to help themselves by further cutting production, and investing more resources in R&D enhancement and cost-effective solutions for the sake of long-term development, Su commented. Read more |
|
|
Nan Ya and Inotera lend Micron US$285 million for Qimonda deal Nov 26, 01:15 Nan Ya Plastics and Inotera Memories will lend Micron Technology a total of US$285 million to facilitate Micron's acquisition of Qimonda's stake in Inotera, according to the companies. Read more |
|
|
PSC exits from solar-cell maker board, to focus on DRAM Nov 25, 15:05 Wafer Works announced on November 24 that stake-holder Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) has resigned from its board of directors. Wafer Works specializes in semiconductor-grade and solar-grade silicon wafers. PSC currently holds 13.9 million shares of the solar-wafer supplier and takes one director and one supervising director seat on the company's board. Read more |
|
|
Micron executives come on board at Inotera Stockwatch - Nov 25, 11:15 Inotera Memories, a joint venture between Qimonda and Nanya Technology, today posted filings with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) announcing a management reshuffle, a short-term loan agreement with Micron Technology, and Qimonda's exit from shareholding. The adjustments in Inotera's operations and personnel are meant to stabilize the company's business operations and advance its future development, the company said. Read more |
|
|
Time for Taiwan DRAM makers to move forward, says Kingston Nov 24, 15:26 David Sun, co-founder of Kingston Technology, recently stated that Taiwan's DRAM makers should be aware that now is the best time for Taiwan's DRAM industry to implement consolidation or vertical integration strategies. The later a response to the industry downturn is carried out, the harder is will be for DRAM makers to recover, Sun commented. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan government urged to help local DRAM makers forge closer ties with Elpida Nov 24, 12:09 Speculation has emerged concerning enhanced relationship between DRAM makers in Taiwan and Japan since Elpida Memory expressed its interest in the company's closer tie with its Taiwan counterparts. Market watchers have also urged the Taiwan government to play a major role in bringing about the cross-border collaboration. Read more |
|
|
Hynix introduces GDDR5 memory at 7Gbps Nov 24, 09:54 Hynix Semiconductor has announced its GDDR5 (series five, graphics double-data-rate memory) graphics memory which is able to transfer data at 7Gbps. Read more |
|
|
DRAM contract quotes drop 10% again in 2H November Nov 21, 01:15 DRAM chip contract quotes dropped 10% again in the second half of November. 1GB DDR2 modules also fell to there lowest point at less than US$10. DRAM prices will not rebound until the end of this year even the first quarter of 2009, according to forecasts by industry players. Read more |
|
|
Elpida rumored to be looking to merge as CEO visits Taiwan Nov 20, 01:15 A scheduled visit by Yukio Sakamoto, president and CEO of Elpida Memory with officials from Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) this Friday (Nov 21) has sparked market rumors that the company is looking to merge with one of Taiwan's DRAM players, according to industry sources. Read more |
|
|
ProMOS chairman urges Taiwan government to bail out DRAM industry Nov 19, 01:00 ProMOS Technology chairman ML Chen has urged the Taiwan government to throw a lifeline to the DRAM industry to helping it undergo fundamental changes during the current difficulties. Read more |
|
|
US house pricing key to economic recovery, says TSMC chairman Nov 17, 11:42 Morris Chang, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), remarked at a conference held by the Chinese National Association of Industry and Commerce (CNAIC) on November 14 that bringing an end to the housing crash in the US should be considered the key to an economic U-turn. Chang expects the incoming Obama administration to intervene in the national free market much more aggressively than the current Bush government, in order to restore the confidence of both consumers and investors. Read more |
|
|
Notebook makers keep low component inventories at 3-4 weeks Nov 17, 10:38 Notebook makers are cautiously monitoring their component inventories, keeping the levels at as low as three to four weeks, according to industry sources. The makers' cautious monitoring of their inventories is creating heavy price pressure on suppliers of such components as panels, DRAM and NAND flash. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan government bailout program may be of little help to DRAM makers Nov 14, 17:16 The Taiwan government has announced a loan program of NT$600 billion (US$18.15 billion) for local medium- to large-size enterprises suffering from the ongoing global financial crisis. The program, approved on November 13, allows banks to provide each applicant a loan of up to NT$60 million, according to the announcement. Read more |
|
|
Kingston claims almost half of China DRAM module market Nov 14, 12:33 Kingston Technology has expanded its presence in the DRAM module and NAND flash applications market in China. The memory-module maker has seen its market share in China rise to almost 50% in the DRAM segment, and over 40% in the NAND flash segment, according recent data compiled by China's Zhongguancun (Haidian) Science Park. Read more |
|
|
DRAM output to shrink further in 1Q09 Nov 13, 16:07 DRAM makers have been cutting back their production since September 2008, and a new round of major reduction in their output is expected to kick off at the beginning of next year, according to industry sources. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan semiconductor industry to decline 3.9% in 2008, says IMF Nov 12, 16:22 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast the global semiconductor industry will see a 1.3% on-year growth in sales, but Taiwan will see a 3.9% decline in 2008. Industrial Technology Intelligence Services (ITIS) said the decline of Taiwan is due to crashing DRAM prices. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan DRAM makers may have net profit margin of -72% in 2008 Nov 12, 14:19 Taiwan's major DRAM makers may see their overall net profit margin fall to -72% in 2008, with combined losses of NT$112.5 billion (US$3.42 billion), according to the Industrial Economics and Knowledge Center (IEK) of the Taiwan government-backed Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI). Domestic players' less price competitiveness and shrinking consumer demand worldwide have resulted in the worst downturn in Taiwan's DRAM industry. Read more |
|
|
Commentary: Can a government bailout assure smooth sailing for Taiwan's DRAM industry? Nov 11, 15:37 Taiwan's lawmakers, economic officials and state planners held a meeting on November 10 with the purpose of developing a strategy to save the island's loss-making DRAM industry. However, the meeting has itself provoked another question: Could a government-backed bailout plan assure smooth sailing for the industry hereafter? Read more |
|
|
Qimonda stock price falls below NYSE minimum, company has six months to restore compliance or delisting awaits Nov 11, 12:17 DRAM maker Qimonda has announced that on November 7, 2008 it was notified by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) that it is not in compliance with one of the NYSE's continued listing standards. Qimonda is considered "below compliance" because the average closing price of its American Depositary Shares (ADSs) has fallen below US$1.00 over a consecutive thirty trading day period. As of October 31, 2008, the 30 trading day average closing price of Qimonda's ADSs was US$0.90. Read more |
|
|
Transcend enjoys strong shipments in October, buoyed by profitable product line Nov 10, 16:27 Memory-module maker Transcend Information recorded overall shipments of almost 9.2 million units in October, up 87.23% on year. Contributions by the company's high-margin own-brand and specialty products exceeded 10% of monthly shipments for the first time. Read more |
|
|
DRAM contract quotes drop another 10% for 1H November Nov 10, 12:23 Contract quotes of DRAM chips tumbled another 10% in the first half of November, dragged down by declining chip prices on the spot market and dumping of DRAM modules by branded chip vendors, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Read more |
|
|
DRAM maker PSC sees sharp revenues decline in October Nov 10, 09:53 Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) has announced unaudited net sales of NT$2.6 billion (US$79.39 million) for October 2008, a sharp decline of 31.9% sequentially and 45.4% from the same month of last year. For the first 10 months of this year, revenues reached NT$49.85 billion, down 27.6% on year. Read more |
|
|
Taiwan DRAM makers PSC and ProMOS get financial support from Elpida and Kingston Nov 7, 01:10 Taiwan DRAM makers are looking for foreign support due to insufficient funds. Elpida Memory has decided to invest NT$3-4 billion (US$9.15-12.2 million), an about 5% stake in Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) and will increase its stake in Rexchip Electronics, the joint venture between PSC and Elpida, to become the biggest shareholder of Rexchip. Meanwhile, ProMOS Technologies received two cash injections from Kingston Technology worth a total of NT$3 billion, according to market sources. Read more |
|
|
DRAM industry needs overhaul or will face difficulty raising funds for 18-inch wafer manufacturing, says Inotera executive Nov 6, 15:29 Taiwan has to overhaul its development of the DRAM industry otherwise the industry may encounter difficulties when trying to raise funds to move manufacturing to 18-inch wafers, according to Charles Kao, president of Inotera Memories. Read more |
|
|
DRAM module maker A-Data cutting inventories amid weak demand Nov 6, 12:06 Memory module maker A-Data Technology has said that it will focus its efforts on controlling inventory as a means to curtail the impact of declining demand for DRAM and NAND flash products. Read more |
|
|
Qimonda announces commercial production of Buried Wordline DRAM technology Nov 6, 11:52 Qimonda's revenues in October included the first sales of 1Gb DDR2 chips using 65nm Buried Wordline technology. In addition, Qimonda has achieved first yields on the next generation 46nm Buried Wordline technology and has taped out what it believes is the worldwide smallest 2G DDR3 chip based on this technology. The technology combines high performance, low power consumption and small chip sizes to further advance the company's product portfolio, which is now focused on DRAM for infrastructure and graphics applications. Read more |
|
|
DRAM and memory module makers encouraging workers to take leave without pay to reduce costs Nov 5, 15:13 Instead of taking drastic measures such as laying off workers, Taiwan DRAM and memory module makers are trying to reduce their operating costs by asking employees to take more leave without pay, according to sources in the memory industry. Read more |
|
|
Price for DDR up more than 30% in past month Nov 4, 01:00 While the DRAM industry continues to see losses, some niche market segments are currently performing better than the overall market, such as the 512Mb DDR segment, where prices have increased over 30% from US$0.95 to US$1.25 in less than one month, according to data from DRAMeXchange. In comparison, 512Mb DDR2 prices have dropped to less than US$0.50. Read more |
|
|
DRAM maker ProMOS Technologies posts record high losses in 3Q08 Newswatch - Nov 3, 14:49 DRAM maker ProMOS Technologies saw its net losses expand by 56.4% sequentially to NT$8.79 billion (US$267.7 million) in the third quarter of this year, the company's highest quarterly losses, according to the company. Read more |
|
|
PTI chairman: Memory industry may not recover until 2Q09 Oct 31, 17:05 Powertech Technology (PTI) chairman, DK Tsai, has forecast that memory industry will continue to decline for at least two more quarters. Competition in the industry is expected to play out country to country rather than between companies, Tsai added. Read more |
|
|
PSC signs DRAM patent license agreement with Mosaid Oct 30, 10:45 Mosaid Technologies has announced the settlement of its patent infringement litigation, and the signing of a patent license agreement, with Taiwan DRAM maker Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC). Under the terms of the license agreement, PSC has been granted a five year, running royalty license under Mosaid's patents for all of its non-foundry DRAM and Pseudo-Static RAM (PSRAM) products. Read more |
|
|
Winbond benefits from closing Qimonda plant Oct 30, 01:10 Taiwan-based Winbond Electronics has recently landed niche memory module orders from Qimonda, which were originally manufactured at Qimonda's soon to be closed 8-inch fab in Richmond, US, according to sources at Winbond. Read more |
|
|
Winbond reports 3Q losses of NT$891 million Oct 28, 17:06 Winbond Electronics reported net sales of NT$5.07 billion for the third quarter of 2008. The company's net losses were NT$891 million. Net loss per share was NT$0.25, representing an improvement compared to losses in the second quarter in 2008. Read more |
|
|
Commentary: Is consolidation a remedy to Taiwan's DRAM problems? Oct 28, 13:01 The latest speculation about Taiwan's DRAM industry is that the Taiwan government may step into the dismal memory industry with an aim to push for a consolidation among the makers in order to help them tide over their current difficulties - a move which industry watchers in Taiwan deem as highly unlikely due to the manufacturing technologies involved. Read more |
|
|
Inotera and Nanya announce capacity cuts Oct 23, 01:20 Inotera Memories and Nanya Technology have both announced cuts in their DRAM capacity. Read more |
|
|
Nanya 3Q losses total NT$8.8 billion Oct 23, 01:00 Nanya Technologies has reported revenues of NT$11.5 billion (US$348 million) for the third quarter of this year, up 21% from the previous quarter but down 14% on year. The DRAM maker had gross margins of negative 38%, similar to the negative 36% gross margins it reported in the second quarter. Read more |
|
|
PSC has no expansion plans for 2009 Oct 22, 01:10 DRAM maker Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC), which has reported huge losses for the third quarter because of fast dropping prices amid serious oversupply in the market, has no plans for any capacity expansion next year, according to company chairman Frank Huang. Read more |
|
|
DRAM maker PSC reports 3Q losses of NT$15 billion Oct 21, 17:13 Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) has announced third quarter revenues of NT$14.97 billion (US$457), down 14.2% sequentially and 16.5% on year, while its operating losses totaled NT$10.43 billion, according to a company release. The company also reported pre-tax losses of NT$13.73 billion and net losses of NT$15.02 billion. PSC's gross margins were negative 59.7% and its operating margins were negative 69.7%, representing a loss per share of NT$1.94. Read more |
|
|
| 140 news tagged DRAM (1/3) | |
|
© DIGITIMES Inc. All rights reserved.
Please do not republish, publicly broadcast or publicly transmit content from this website without written permission from DIGITIMES Inc. Please contact us if you have any questions. |
|
