Mask ROM and NOR flash chipmaker Macronix International Company (MXIC) has reported revenues of NT$6.57 billion (US$207 million) for the first quarter of 2010, higher than the NT$6.1-6.3 billion projected by the company.
Macronix' gross margin and profit performance for the first quarter is expected to also outperform its guidance, mainly buoyed by higher NOR flash ASPs, according to market watchers. Supply of NOR flash chips has fallen short due to growing demand for PC and consumer electronics applications, propping up prices.
Macronix said it has moved to migrate to 0.11-micron process technology from 0.13-micron for the production of NOR flash chips. The proportion of its NOR flash products fabricated at 0.11-micron is expected to reach 60-70% by year-end 2010 from 10% at present.
Macronix' revenues from NOR flash surpassed those from ROM products for the first time in 2009, according to the company. NOR flash now accounts for 70% of its total sales.
Macronix will hold an investors conference on April 28 to announce its first-quarter results, and disclose guidance for the second quarter.
In other news, Spansion has failed to emerge from Chapter 11 protection within its targeted time-frame. The once-dominant player in the NOR flash memory market filed to open insolvency proceedings on March 2, 2009.