Memory chip stocks tumbled Thursday in Asia and the U.S., extending losses that began in early July. Micron fell 15.5% in the first two days of the month, while Sandisk dropped 23.3% over the same period. The declines came as prices for DRAM memory chips used in PCs and servers surged roughly 660% in the year through June, according to data from Bernstein Research, with NAND flash memory prices also up 660% over the last year. The price increases reflect AI-driven demand hitting a semiconductor market with fixed supply, inflating profits for memory chipmakers but raising concerns about supply-demand imbalances. Despite recent drops, memory stocks remain sharply higher over the past year — Sandisk is up roughly 3,700% over the last 12 months through Thursday.
DRAM and NAND Flash Prices Surge 660% Over Past Year
Prices for DRAM memory chips used broadly in PCs and servers rose roughly 660% in the year through June, according to data from Bernstein Research. Benchmark prices for NAND flash memory — which allows devices to retain data when powered off — also climbed 660% over the last year. The price increases inflated profits for makers of memory chips and related data storage products, as AI-driven demand encountered a semiconductor market with fixed supply.
Analyst Warns Supply-Demand Gap Creates Risk for Memory Chip Market
Mark Newman, memory chip analyst with Bernstein Research, stated that demand is outpacing supply by a widening margin, with customers becoming more irate and desperate. Newman said the situation is starting to become a problem. He identified one risk as memory chip buyers potentially pushing the government to relax restrictions on usage of cheaper Chinese memory chips, which could add to supplies.
Apple Reportedly in Talks with Chinese Memory Chipmakers
The Financial Times and Bloomberg reported that Apple — which publicly cited surging memory as a key driver of recently announced price increases — is in talks with Chinese memory chipmakers about buying cheaper Chinese chips. Some of those companies are currently blacklisted by the Pentagon, according to the reports.
Samsung and SK Hynix Announce Plans to Expand Chip Fab Capacity
Korean memory chip giants SK Hynix and Samsung announced plans to invest in expanding their chip fab capacity. The expansions are intended to boost supply of chips over time.
FAQ
What caused memory chip stocks to fall in July?
Memory chip stocks tumbled Thursday in Asia and the U.S., with Micron down 15.5% and Sandisk down 23.3% in the first two days of July. The declines came as DRAM and NAND flash memory prices surged roughly 660% over the past year, raising concerns about supply-demand imbalances in the semiconductor market.
Why did DRAM and NAND memory chip prices surge 660%?
Prices for DRAM and NAND flash memory chips rose roughly 660% in the year through June, according to Bernstein Research data. The increases reflect AI-driven demand hitting a semiconductor market with fixed supply, inflating profits for memory chipmakers.
What did Apple reportedly do in response to rising memory chip prices?
The Financial Times and Bloomberg reported that Apple is in talks with Chinese memory chipmakers about buying cheaper Chinese chips, despite some of those companies being blacklisted by the Pentagon. Apple publicly cited surging memory as a key driver of recently announced price increases.
