Hynix Semiconductor has posted a net loss of 1.33 trillion won (US$964 million) in the fourth quarter of 2008.This marked the fifth straight quarterly loss for the Korean memory chipmaker, due to the sharp erosion in DRAM and NAND flash ASPs.

Hynix said that prices of DRAM chips and NAND flash went down 43% and 18%, respectively, amid weakening demand in the fourth quarter. The memory specialist generated consolidated sales of 1.51 trillion won in the fourth quarter, a 18% decrease from the previous quarter.

Hynix also attributed its net loss to the weak Korean won and the company's "high level of dollar-denominated outstanding debt."

Hynix' operating loss for the fourth quarter expanded to 782 billion won from an operating loss of 465 billion won in the previous quarter, recording negative 52% of operating margin.

Hynix' full-year sales in 2008 decreased 21% to 6.82 trillion won, as a result of the rapid decline in memory prices that has not been offset by bit growth and the weak Korean won, the company said. Its operating loss expanded to 1.9 trillion won last year, compared to an operating profit of 491 billion won in 2007.

By: DocMemory
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