Winbond, Macronix March sales up

Winbond Electronics and Macronix International have reported sequential growths in March revenues of 12.7% and 10.6%, respectively.

Compared to a year ago, Winbond's consolidated revenues for March 2013 declined 2.6% to NT$2.71 billion (US$90 million). Accumulated sales for January to March came to NT$7.68 billion, up 2.5% from the same period of 2012.

Market watchers expect Winbond to return to profitability in the first quarter of 2013, thanks to a recovery in DRAM prices and the firm's process transition enabling lower production costs. Winbond experienced a sixth consecutive quarterly loss in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Macronix announced consolidated revenues of NT$1.46 billion for March 2013, up 10.6% sequentially but down at the same rate on year. Accumulated consolidated sales for January to March were NT$4.405 billion, a decrease of 14.4% compared to the same period of 2012.

Macronix is aiming to return to profitability in the third or fourth quarter of 2013. The firm experienced a fourth consecutive quarterly loss in fourth-quarter 2012.

Winbond manufactures niche-market DRAM and NOR flash memory, while Macronix specializes in NOR flash and mask ROM chips.

Macronix, Winbond: Consolidated revenues, Jan 2013 - Mar 2013 (NT$m)
Month	Macronix		Winbond
	Sales	Y/Y	Sales	Y/Y
Mar-13	1,455	(10.6%)	2,713	(2.6%)
Feb-13	1,315	(28.5%)	2,408	(0.4%)
Jan-13	1,634	(2.6%)	2,554	11.8%

*Figures are consolidated
Source: TSE, compiled by Digitimes, April 2013

Macronix, Winbond: Consolidated revenues, 3Q11 - 3Q12 (NT$m)
Quarter	Macronix		Winbond
	Sales	Y/Y	Sales	Y/Y
3Q-12	7,363	10.2%	8,540	(3.6%)
2Q-12	5,883	(8%)	9,069	(6%)
1Q-12	5,143	(23%)	7,486	(15.6%)
4Q-11	8,478	52.2%	7,330	(22.5%)
3Q-11	6,682	(19.9%)	8,855	(17.3%)

*Figures are consolidated
Source: TSE, compiled by Digitimes, April 2013