Elpida says some loss through Jan-Mar inevitable

TOKYO, Dec 5 (Reuters) - The head of Japanese chip maker Elpida Memory Inc (6665.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Wednesday that some operating loss in the October-December and January-March quarters couldn't be helped due to falling prices for DRAM (dynamic random access memory) chips.

"It'll probably be a small loss," President Yukio Sakamoto told reporters. But he said he expected rivals Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Hynix Semiconductor Inc (000660.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) to lower their output, which would help stem a fall in prices next year.

He also said Elpida would rein in spending next year as it concentrates on advanced chip-making processes rather than on ramping up capacity. (Reporting by Mayumi Negishi; Editing by Hugh Lawson)