Taiwan-based DRAM makers are expected to see their losses narrow in the second quarter of 2012 thanks to growing chip prices, according to industry sources. Net losses at Nanya Technology and Inotera Memories reached a combined NT$14.84 billion (US$503 million) in the first quarter of 2012 - the ninth straight quarterly loss for the pair.

Fellow DRAM firm Powerchip Technology has estimated that combing losses made by affiliate Rexchip Electronics, its first-quarter net loss would total less than NT$6 billion. Actual results have not been released.

Winbond Electronics, which has shifted its business focus to niche-market DRAMs and NOR flash memory, will also remain unprofitable on falling sales in the first quarter of 2012, the sources indicated. However, the firm is likely to return to profitability as sales of its specialty DRAMs recover on gradual easing of tight HDD supplies, the sources said.

Macronix International has predicted that the firm would slip into the red in the first quarter on a substantial decline in ROM orders as well as falling NOR flash prices.

Both Winbond and Macronix are scheduled to hold their quarterly investors meetings later this week to discuss their performance in the first quarter and guidance for the second quarter.