Comment by gutiea on 2007-11-30 15:38:14
Certainly, it is a possible scenario. I believe that this kind of pricing manipulation is entirely unlikely to be coordinated - only a market can do that. Moreover, a cartel-like behavior is unlikely in the long run since foundries can be built by converting existing IDM facilities into foundries. The larger players going asset-light might find it appealing to spin off their own fab businesses as standalone foundries, raise capital and drive the price back down.
I do believe there might be another trend beginning to shape, such as an earlier move to 32nm/450mm; very capital intensive and that demands hoarding cash for a few years. Our industry develops 3 to 5 years strategies; and as the end nears, capital will be increasingly hard to find.
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November 2007 
