Macronix International Company (MXIC) has announced its fourth-quarter 2009 net sales and earnings grew 32% and 121%, respectively, compared to levels in the fourth quarter of 2008. The company said sales generated from its mask ROM product line decreased 22% on year in the quarter, whereas the NOR flash segment registered a sales jump of 155%.
NOR flash accounted for 56% of Macronix' net sales in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to 29% a year ago, according to the company. Meanwhile, mask ROM saw its sales contribution drop to 38% from 64% in fourth-quarter 2008.
Macronix said utilization rates for the fourth quarter average 90%, compared to 102% in the prior quarter and 69% in fourth-quarter 2008. The mask ROM and flash maker estimated utilization rates for the ongoing first quarter at between 90% and 95%.
Sales for first-quarter 2010 are projected at NT$6.1-6.3 billion, down 15-18% from the previous quarter's NT$7.4 billion, according to the company. It also estimated gross margin and operating margin for the quarter at 42-44% and 22-24%, respectively.
For all of 2009, Macronix reported net income of NT$5.7 billion on revenues of NT$26.37 billion, representing on-year growth of 13% in revenues and 26% in profits. The earnings translated into an EPS of NT$1.74 for the year.