Memory makers Winbond Electronics and Macronix International have reported sequential growth in February revenues of about 6% and 9%, respectively.
Winbond generated revenues of NT$1.88 billion (US$63.7 million) in February 2012, up 5.6% sequentially but down 14.1% from a year earlier. The firm accumulated NT$3.66 billion in revenues from January through February, showing a 23.5% decrease from the same period of 2011.
February sales turned out better than expected for Winbond. The company previously estimated flat sequential growth in the month.
Winbond reported losses for the second consecutive quarter in the fourth quarter of 2011, due to falling sales of its NOR flash and specialty DRAM (SDRAM) products.
Macronix announced February revenues of NT$1.82 billion, up 8.9% on month but down 24.5% on year. Sales for the first two months of 2012 totaled NT$3.48 billion, a decline of 23.5% compared to a year ago.
Macronix has estimated first-quarter revenues at NT$5.2-5.8 billion, down by 30-38% sequentially. Along with the sales decline, gross margin for the first quarter will slide to 20-24% with operating margin falling into negative territory at 5-10%.