Widening Gap with Intel
Samsung Electronics is widening its gap with Intel to become the largest player in the global semiconductor market in terms of sales for the second consecutive year. SK Hynix is showing the highest sales growth in the industry and is expected to join the global top three.
According to market research firm IC Insights, Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor business sales for this year are estimated at US$83.258 billion, up 26% from a year ago. The sales of Intel, which used to dominate the market from 1993 but was overtaken by Samsung in the second quarter of last year, are estimated to reach US$70.154 billion with a year-on-year growth of 14%.
Last year, Samsung Electronics rose to the top for the first time with a sales gap of approximately US$4 billion. This year, the difference is likely to be at least US$13 billion. IC Insights explained that the DRAM and NAND flash memory markets showed a rapid growth this year to widen the gap.
The sales of SK Hynix are expected to reach US$37.731 billion this year with a year-on-year growth of no less than 41%. Then, the company can join the top three by beating TSMC, which is the world’s largest foundry company and is estimated to record US$34.209 billion in sales this year. The estimated sales growth of SK Hynix is second to none on the global top 15 list.
Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are likely to remain on the top three list next year in spite of the ongoing memory price decline. According to local securities companies, SK Hynix is expected to show a sales growth of 2.5% to 3% next year as in the case of Samsung Electronics. In addition, the non-memory business of Samsung is forecast to continue to grow.