Global DRAM revenues reached US$9.28 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 6.9% from fourth-quarter 2009 when revenues were US$8.68 billion, according to report. The result reflects the fourth-consecutive quarter of sequential growth for the DRAM industry.
Average contract and spot prices for DDR3 chips rose 16% and 14%, respectively, on quarter in the first quarter, according to report. Meanwhile, average quotes for DDR2 parts were up 5% sequentially in the contract market, and remained flat in the spot segment, the price tracker indicated.
The supply of DDR3 chips fell short of demand in the first quarter, due to the growing adoption by major PC vendors, observed. As to DDR2, demand mostly came from the spot market.
Among the top-nine ranked companies, Samsung Electronics, Micron Technology and ProMOS Technologies outperformed the industry average in the first quarter, according to report. Leading player Samsung saw revenues from its DRAM products increase 9.1% sequentially to US$3 billion in the quarter, and grabbed a 32.3% market share.
Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) moved up to number-five in the first quarter, exceeding Nanya Technology's share by 0.2-pp, observed.