MLCC makers may return to growth track in 2020 on 5G demand

Source: DigiTimes news

Driven by growing demand for 5G applications, Taiwan MLCC suppliers are managing to gradually lower their inventory levels and possibly return to a growth track in 2020, according to industry sources.

The sources said that oversupply pressure is easing on gradual demand turnaround, with price falls narrowing to lower single-digit levels and some MLCC products with special specs even showing slight supply shortages.

Leading maker Yageo has seen its September revenues pick for the third consecutive month thanks to continued rebound in demand from the Greater China market and the Asia-Pacific region. The company is expected to be able to reduce its inventory to a 70-day level by the end of 2019 from a 90-day goal set earlier, as clients have gradually resumed normal shipment pull-in momentum starting in the fourth quarter.

Yageo has reported that its consolidated revenues for September rose 3.0% sequentially to NT$3.518 billion (US$114.13 million), and its third-quarter revenues also registered a sequential growth of 7.7% to reach NT$10.313 billion. The firm’s January-September revenues plunged 48.7% on year to NT$31.283 billion.

MLCC distributor Holy Stone also saw its September surge 10.30% sequentially to NT$1.454 billion, and its nine-month revenues suffered an annual fall of 14.84% to reach NT$10.831 billion. Other distributors such as Nichidenbo and Honey Hope Honesty also reported revenue pickups for September.

Industry sources said that Taiwan’s top-2 passive components suppliers Yageo and Walsin Technology are both aggressively developing 5G RF, antenna and auto-use ICT applications seeking to resume normal growth in 2020.