Samsung closely chases Intel in computer chip sales

By Choi Sung-jin

Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor sales are estimated to total about 47.51 trillion won ($40 billion) this year, narrowing its gap with market leader Intel, industry sources said.

IHS, a market research agency, estimated that Samsung’s semiconductor sales this year would reach $40.7 billion, carving out an 11.6 percent global market share. The agency projected Intel’s sales at $49.3 billion, or a 14 percent market share.

The market share between the Nos. 1 and 2 will narrow by 1 percentage point from 3.4 to 2.4 percent, it said. SK Hynix is also expected to record sales of $16.9 billion and market share of 4.8 percent, to emerge as the third-largest chip maker, surpassing Qualcomm’s $16.2 billion and 4.6 percent.

Together, the Korean semiconductor companies are to record total sales of $60.2 billion and global market share of 17.1 percent this year, up sharply from $40.1 billion and 12 percent, respectively, in 2011. Four years ago, the Japanese makers registered combined sales of $55.2 billion and accounted for 17 percent of market share.

The worldwide semiconductor market expanded from $315.4 billion in 2011 to $351.1 billion in 2015. Korean makers contributed about $20 billion, accounting for 55 percent of the total increase. Korea surpassed Japan to emerge as the world’s second-largest semiconductor maker in 2013. The Japanese makers’ market share remained at 10.7 percent this year, and the gap with their Korean competitors is expected to widen further, according to the report.