Inotera Memories has reported net losses of NT$1.56 billion (US$49.52 million), or NT$0.36 per share, for the first quarter of 2010, mostly due to production losses incurred from the migration of its manufacturing process from 76nm trench to 50nm stack technology. The DRAM maker swung to profits in the fourth quarter of 2009 after eight straight quarterly losses.
Inotera's revenues for the first quarter slid 10% sequentially to NT$11.52 billion, due to a 3% decrease in wafer shipments and a 7% decline in average revenues per wafer, the company said.
Inotera said It has started ramping production in 50nm stack-technology this month. As a result of the necessary capacity adjustments for the targeted rapid technology conversion, bit shipments in the second quarter are expected to drop by a mid single-digit percentage sequentially, the company said.
Inotera noted that it is on track to complete the full wafer start conversion to 50nm technology in the fourth quarter of this year.
In addition, Inotera said capex for 2010 remain unchanged at NT$52 billion compared to previous estimates. The company added it now has three sets of immersion scanner equipment installed, and requires five more sets.
Strategic partner Nanya Technology also slipped back into the red in the same quarter, as its ongoing process transition limited its output growth and hurt its profitability. Nanya made a turnaround in fourth-quarter 2009, after 10 straight quarters of losses.