Company ABC is a chip maker ; it is expecting its annual gross margins from 60% over the last decade to the 51-53% range in the next 2 years. All of the following can be causes of lower gross margins EXCEPT:

Group of answer choices

increased research and development expenses

Lower prices to customers due to more competition in marketplace

Rising prices of raw materials

increased depreciation in the foundry due to asset investments to make chips designed by other companies