From EETimes: According to preliminary estimates from the Semiconductor Value Chain Service at IHS, the global semiconductor market is set to expand revenue by close to 5 percent in 2013 as a result of strong performance in the memory sector -- this following a 2.5 percent annual decline in 2012.
Semiconductor sales worldwide will total about $317.9 billion this year, which is up 4.9 percent from $302.9 billion in 2012. In particular, a projected 35 percent rise in dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and a 27.7 percent increase in NAND flash memory are responsible for the rebound in the overall semiconductor market in 2013.
“Memory chips are coming to the rescue of the semiconductor business in 2013,” says Dale Ford, head of electronics and semiconductor research at IHS, in the press release. “Solid pricing and expanding demand for DRAM and NAND in smartphones and tablets have caused revenue for these memory devices to surge. Without these two high-performing product segments, the semiconductor industry would attain zero growth this year.”
Strong results in the DRAM and NAND markets have spurred growth for US-based chipmaker Micron, which will grow the most of any company in the industry, according to projections. Micron’s estimated 109.2 percent growth in 2013 brings it to the fourth spot in the overall market from its tenth place position a year ago. The company is expected to finish the year with $14.2 billion in semiconductor revenue, more than twice the $6.8 billion total revenue from last year. It is expected to expand its market share more than any other company, reaching 4.5 percent in 2013, up from 2.2 percent last year. Micron acquired Elpida Memory this year, which has also helped spur the company’s significant growth.
South Korea-based SK Hynx, which did not make any major acquisitions, also took a big step forward in 2013 thanks to the significant expansion of the memory market. SK Hynx’s chip revenue is set to grow by 48.7 percent this year, bringing it to fifth place in the semiconductor market rankings from seventh last year.
View: Article @ Source Site
