Looking forward to the next quarter, DRAMeXchange research associate Wu Ya-Ting pointed out that overall, DRAM prices in the fourth quarter rose an average of 10% or less.Among them, PC-OEM factory has agreed the contract price in the fourth quarter, the first- The average price has officially exceeded 30 US dollars, fell 30.5 US dollars, an increase of about 7% over the previous quarter; from the market to observe that this wave of gains mainly driven by mobile memory prices rise, with the continuation of DRAM supply tight situation , And the peak season effect of the flagship smartphone models. DRAM makers led by Samsung decided to raise the quoted mobile memory quotations, while mobile phone customers only have to accept enough stock. Therefore, the mobile memory rose about 10 in the fourth quarter -20% (depending on capacity); while the server memory pull cargo kinetic energy is also very strong, the fourth quarter contract prices continue to rise 6-10%.
In the third quarter of the two major Korean factories combined market share of 74.5%, the fourth quarter of Micron can narrow the market share gap
Looking at the third quarter revenue performance, Samsung is still firmly in the DRAM industry leader, revenue reached 8.8 billion US dollars, up 15.2% over the second quarter, setting a record high again; and SK hynix revenue amount to 5.5 billion US dollars , Up 22.5% over the previous quarter, significant growth momentum, the two major Korean companies accounted for 45.8% and 28.7% for each, totaling 74.5% of the market share has been included Micron still maintain the third, the amount of 40 billion revenue US dollar, up 13.0% quarter, accounting for 21.0% .As SK hynix quarter average selling price is higher than the Micron, resulting in the two markets in the three quarters of the market share gap continued to expand; Outlook fourth quarter, as Micron contrarian as the price leader, The price increase exceeds the two major Korean factories and is expected to narrow the market share gap with the second place.
Samsung's operating profit margin exceeded 60% in the third quarter to a record high of 62% due to the continued price increases and the cost-effectiveness brought by the miniaturization of the manufacturing process. SK hynix also increased its sales volume from 54% in the second quarter to 56% ; Micron's 17nm yield steadily stabilized, operating profit margin from 44% to 50%, the most significant growth. Looking into the fourth quarter, benefiting from DRAM prices continue to rise, each profit is expected to further improve.
Samsung is considering expansion plans, SK hynix and Micron focus on yield and process into
Observing the plant technology and capacity layout, Samsung's goal this year in addition to focusing on 18nm process continued to move in recent quarters, DRAM industry, high profits, but also stimulate Samsung to think about possible DRAM expansion plans, on the one hand to deal with tight supply On the other hand, the Group expects to increase its output of DRAM and suppress the price increase of DRAM, which will consolidate its leading position and maintain the technological gap with other DRAM makers for more than 1-2 years.
On the contrary SK hynix this year's goal is still focused on the 21nm yield increase and the proportion of the process, 18nm process products are expected to have a small amount by the end of shipment; as expansion plan, SK hynix in Wuxi, China, the second new 12 Inch plant as soon as 2019 will have capacity out; and Micron, Micron Taiwan (formerly Ruijing) is still committed to improving the stability of the 17nm product is expected to yield up to 80% by the end of the year, and Taiwan Micron wafer technology (formerly China and Asia Branch) this year is still 20nm manufacturing process improvement rate of increase is expected to be half of the production capacity will be transferred to 17nm next year.
Taiwan-based manufacturers, South Asia Branch third quarter revenue up slightly from the previous quarter rose 5.3%, mainly due to the niche-based products, the price increase by less than a more complete line of international manufacturers. Looking to the future, due to the The company continues to improve the yield of 20nm, will continue to improve the cost structure, increase the profits of South Asia Branch .Li Jing Technology, DRAM quarter revenue fell 3.6%, the main reason for the crystal Jing Hao, Epson and other foundry profits However, due to the unknown status of the follow-up process, the profitability in the future will be completely affected by the increase in average memory selling price.