April 5, 2007 – Chip test tool supplier Advantest Corp. says revenues and group operating profits slipped about 7% in its just-closed year as DRAM manufacturers worried about plunging ASPs postponed orders for test equipment, according to local Japanese press reports.

Operating profits fell to roughly 60 billion yen (~US $505.0 million), just missing initial targets of 61 billion yen ($513.4 million), while revenues also declined to 235 billion yen ($1.98 billion), about 2% below expectations.

The company believes renewed demand for DRAM testers from firms anticipating more business from Vista-ready PC makers will boost sales and profits again in fiscal 2007, with revenues up 15% to 270 billion yen ($2.27 billion), and profits surging 25% to around 75 billion yen ($631.2 million). Sales of T2000 testers for Intel chips, which also struggled in the past year, are expected to rejuvenate as well, the papers noted.