DRAM maker Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) has posted its first profit in 11 quarters, while rival Inotera Memories has also reported profits for the fourth quarter after eight consecutive quarterly losses.
PSC swung to net profits of NT$1.6 billion (US$50.3 million) in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to losses of NT$4.3 billion in the prior quarter and NT$25.5 billion a year ago. It concluded the year with net losses of NT$20.74 billion, which showed improvement compared to losses of NT$57.53 billion in 2008.
PSC's joint venture with Elpida Memory, Rexchip Electronics, saw fourth-quarter net profits climb to NT$3.5 billion from NT$272 million in the third quarter. PSC said it recognized an investment gain of NT$1.2 billion according to its 36% stake in Rexchip.
Eric Tang, spokesperson for PSC, said the company is still evaluating its capex plan for 2010. The majority of PSC's 2010 capex will be used to buy immersion lithography equipment for 40nm-class process technology. Tang noted PSC expects to start producing DRAM chips using Elpida's 45nm in the second half of 2010.
In line with Nanya Technology's return to the black, Inotera saw net profits of NT$475 million on revenues of NT$12.75 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009. Inotera had remained unprofitable since the fourth quarter of 2007.
However, Inotera still saw a full-year net loss of NT$11.48 billion in 2009, which marked its second straight annual losses.
Inotera has revised upward its 2010 capex to NT$52 billion from an original goal of NT$45 billion, according to the company. The DRAM producer aims to migrate all of its 12-inch production (130,000 wafers per monthly) to Micron Technology's 50nm stack by the end of the year.