Samsung dismisses worries over 'chip down cycle'
By Baek Byung-yeulSamsung Electronics dismissed concerns over the possibility that the global semiconductor industry will enter into another down cycle, noting that there are more “applications” requiring the use of memory chips.“Compared to the past, the amplitude of the memory chip cycle has been reduced,” Han Jin-man, executive vice president at Samsung's memory business, said in a conference call to investors after the release of the company's third quarter earnings results Thursday.Samsung is expecting to see a growing number of uncertainties ahead due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and supply shortages, but this is not as worrisome as the market's outlook.“The range of fluctuations in the memory industry has decreased due to diversification of applications, miniaturization of memory processes and management capabilities acquired from previous experiences. As a result, the possibility of an excessive down cycle as seen in 2018 is slim,” Han told investors.After a three-year boom, the global memory chip market is seeing prices stabilize wit
