Prices for NOR flash memory are set to decline by 10-20% in the fourth quarter of 2010, according to Miin Wu, chairman and CEO of Macronix International. But beginning the first quarter of 2011, prices will be much more likely to rise than fall, Wu predicts.
During Macronix' investors conference on October 27, Wu pointed out that the market for NOR flash chips may fall short of demand sometime in 2011 due to its diversified applications and higher capacities required. Wu said he still sticks to an optimistic view about the NOR market next year.
Macronix announced net sales of NT$8.16 billion (US$256.9 million) for the third quarter, in line with its guidance of NT$8-8.2 billion. But the company estimated fourth-quarter revenues at NT$5.8-6 billion, down 26-28% sequentially.