SK Hynix posts best sales growth among chip firms

SK Hynix, Korea’s No. 2 chipmaker, posted the sharpest growth in sales among the world’s top 15 players in the first six months of 2018, industry data showed Wednesday, with Samsung Electronics maintaining its solid lead.

SK Hynix saw its sales jump 56 percent on-year to reach $17.7 billion in the January-June period, the data compiled by IC Insights showed.

Samsung Electronics topped the list by boasting a whopping $39.7 billion in sales, up 36 percent on-year, followed by Intel, which advanced 13 percent over the cited period to reach $32.5 billion.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing followed with $16.3 billion, and U.S.-based Micron Technology with $15.4 billion.

The United States had the most companies in the top 15, with seven players, followed by Europe with three. South Korea and Taiwan held two each.

“As shown, all but four of the top 15 companies had double-digit year-on-year growth in the first half of 2018,” IC Insights said. “Amazingly, the Big 3 memory suppliers — Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron — each registered greater than 35 percent year-on-year growth in the first half.”

IC Insights added the strong global demand for DRAM and NAND flash products also helped Samsung widen its gap with Intel.

Yonhap