Samsung Sets Aside $100 Million In DRAM Investigation

Samsung Electronics Co. said it would set aside $100 million for costs in connection with a U.S. Justice Department investigation into alleged DRAM memory-chip price-fixing.

The terse statement by Samsung confirmed that the funds were being set aside on behalf of its U.S. unit, Samsung Semiconductor. Korea-based Samsung is the world's largest computer-memory manufacturer.

"The outcome of this matter cannot be predicted at this time," Samsung Electronics said in a statement. "The company is unable to comment on an ongoing government investigation."

In addition to the U.S. Justice Department, the European Union's regulatory agency is investigating alleged price-fixing in DRAM memory. In September, Germany's Infineon Technologies AG paid $160 million in connection with the price-fixing investigations and agreed to help investigators.

Previously all parties being investigated, including Samsung, denied any wrongdoing in memory pricing.