The Q2 DRAM market was worth $10.7bn, according to DRAMeXchange, a 15.2% increase from Q1’s $9.3bn.
Korean vendors’ market share reached 55.3% in Q2 and remains unchallengeable, reckons DRAMeXchange.
American and Japanese DRAM makers’ shares are recorded at 13.7% and 18.3% respectively, followed by the Taiwanese with 12.7% share.
The Q2 revenue growth came from the stable DRAM contract price and a mild growth in output, says the company.
With slightly upward pricing trend for 2Q10 DRAM contract price, 2Q10 DDR3 2GB contract price went up 10% QoQ, while the 2Q10 DDR3 Spot average price mildly declined 3% QoQ to $2.77.
Though the DDR2 1Gb spot price shows deeper downtrend, the DDR2 output is significantly lower in this quarter.
As for capex, DRAM vendors are focussing more on technology migration instead of capacity expansion.
According to DRAMeXchange, 2Q10 wafer starts increased 3.8% QoQ only and output increased around 10%.
Samsung achieved 33.9% DRAM market share in terms of revenue with 19.1% QoQ revenue growth.
With a smooth technology migration progress, 46nm and 56nm products have entered mass production level with stable yields.
Output will grow with continued momentum in 2H10, benefiting from Rexchip’s smooth migration and from additional 40M 1Gb production from Powerchip starting in April.
Elpida’s revenue increased 18% QoQ in 2Q10. Micron’s calendar Q2 revenue growth rate is 10% contributed by 9% QoQ ASP increase.
As for Taiwanese vendors in Q2: Powerchip showed 15% QoQ revenue growth to $510m in 2Q10; Nanya slightly improved revenue with 10% QoQ growth and is expected to show more potential in terms of revenue with its strategy for capacity expansion and technology migration; and ProMOS recorded 53.4% QoQ revenue growth, after benefiting from achieving a full capacity ramp.