Market research
In Europe, sales were $3.124bn, representing a 28.9% increase on the previous year. Translation into euros again shows a significant, but reduced, exchange rate hit. June sales of EUR2.587bn represent a 21.5% increase. Other regions: Americas $3.288bn (+29.7%), Japan $3.819bn (+26.3%), Asia-Pacific $7.584bn (+60.9%).
From being on the DRAM industry death list a couple of years ago, Hynix has moved to No.2 producer in Gartner's Q2 2004 study. Total revenue for the sector was $6.676bn of which Hynix took $1.139bn. The No.1 supplier was also from Korea - Samsung with $1.980bn. Postions 3-5 were taken by Micron ($1.021bn), Infineon ($0.941bn) and Elpida ($0.360bn).
"Hynix' strong presence in the legacy and graphics DRAM segments, which had strong pricing, enabled it to outgrow its rivals, Micron and Infineon," according to principal analyst Andrew Norwood. The company sees this as the peak of the DRAM boom and expects recession during 2005. Norwood comments:
"While the DRAM vendors are gaining profits, they are increasing their capital expenditures on new production facilities. These will come on-line in late 2005 and through 2006, triggering an oversupply-driven downturn."
