Memory IC packaging and testing firms have reported mixed results for the first quarter of 2012. Walton Advanced Engineering and Formosa Advanced Technologies (FATC) both saw their first-quarter sales register single-digit sequential growth while Powertech Technology (PTI) posted a decrease.

Consolidated revenues at PTI slipped 9.9% on quarter to NT$8.755 billion (US$296.8 million) in the first quarter of 2012. The figure on an annual basis represents a 10.3% decline.

PTI chairman DK Tsai said previously that first-quarter sales would register a sequential decrease of less than 10% in the first quarter. The actual results came within company guidance.

PTI revealed that the sales ratio for DRAM memory slid to 60% in the first quarter. The firm used to have more than 70% of revenues generated from its DRAM packaging and testing business. PTI has put more efforts on the NAND flash and logic IC segments, which accounted for 35-38% and less than 5%, respectively, of company revenues in the first quarter.

PTI noted that it will continue to reduce the ratio of DRAM packaging and testing business, in line with its goal of providing a comprehensive range of semiconductor packaging and test solutions.

PTI recently acquired a controlling stake in Greatek Electronics in a move to strengthen its offerings and production capacity for logic semiconductors. The bankruptcy filing of Elpida Memory, PTI's major client, has further encouraged PTI to reduce its dependence on the DRAM market.

Walton reported consolidated sales of NT$1.76 billion for the first quarter of 2012, a 5.3% increase from the prior quarter and beating its previous estimate of flat sequential growth.

Walton's sales for March rose 20.6% on month, buoyed by better-than-expected orders placed by its DRAM clients, according to the backend service provider.

Nanya Technology and Winbond Electronics reportedly are among Walton's major customers. The backend firm has also resumed its regular shipments to Elpida since early March.

Walton expects rising orders for NAND flash memory to buoy up its sales performance during the second quarter. Meanwhile, the sales ratio for mobile DRAM products will likely exceed 50% in the second quarter, Walton indicated.

FATC, which provides backend services mainly for Nanya and Inotera Memories, saw its March revenues increase 13.3% sequentially to NT$1.04 billion. Revenues arrived at NT$2.72 billion in the first quarter of 2012, up 2.9% on quarter.