The world's second-largest computer memory chip maker said it lost $214.9 million, or 36 cents per share, during its third quarter on $732.7 million in sales.

That compared to a net loss of $24.2 million, or 4 cents a share, on sales of $771.2 million a year earlier

Micron shares rose 3 cents to close at $13.08 on the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday. They gained another 23 cents in the extended session, after the earnings report was released.

The earnings report came a day after the U.S. Department of Commerce found Micron and other American chip makers were subjected to unfair South Korean government subsidies of competitors Hynix and Samsung. It ordered a nearly 45 percent tariff on Hynix imports and a tariff of less than 1 percent against Samsung.

The depressed international chip market forced Boise-based Micron to lay off 10 percent of its global work force last winter, including 1,100 workers in Idaho.

The company said average selling prices dropped 15 percent during the quarter in what corporate officials said reflected the impact of subsidized South Korean products on the market. Demand for electronics products was relatively modest, officials said.

But that was partially offset by lower manufacturing costs, in part due to the savings from a restructuring last winter. Production overall was also up from the sluggish winter quarter by about 20 percent.

``We're starting to see some signs of life in PC demand,'' said Michael Sadler, vice president of worldwide sales. He called it a seasonal uptick but said it gives the company ``reason for near-term optimism.''

By: DocMemory
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