[World DRAM Price] Spot Prices Remain at Low Levels Worldwide
November 21, 2001 (TOKYO) -- The rolling average price for the 30-day period ending Nov. 2 for 128Mb DRAMs for large-volume users fell below US$1.50 in Europe, and thus the prices across the globe were at low levels.
On the other hand, since Nov. 7, spot prices have increased. These results are based on a worldwide DRAM microchip price survey, conducted by ICIS-LOR, which has bases in London, Houston and Singapore.
The 30-day (Oct 4-Nov. 2, 2001) rolling average prices for the 128Mb DRAM (PC133, 16M x 8) for large-volume users were US$1.36 in North America, US$1.47 in Europe, and US$1.34 in Asia. Compared with the previous week (the 30-day rolling average ending Oct. 26), the prices fell by 2.29 percent in North America, by 3.00 percent in Europe, and by 3.26 percent in Asia.
As for prices of memory modules, the spot prices of 128MB DIMM (PC133) declined by 7.04 percent to US$9.17 in North America, by 5.03 percent to US$10.93 in Europe, and by 5.80 percent to US$9.23 in Asia, all compared with the previous week.
The major reason for the change in the spot prices* is the cutback in production by Micron Technology Inc. of the United States. Recently, Micron slashed production volume of 128Mb products by about 30 percent. Micron had been running its production facilities at full capacity and accordingly, the inventory has continued to rise. The company is increasing production volume of 256Mb products as scheduled.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. also cut production volume of 128Mb products. Originally, the company planned to shift production from 128Mb to 256Mb products. However, the cutback in output of 128Mb is going ahead while the production of 256Mb remained at the same level. As a consequence, the total production volume is declining.
Production adjustments by suppliers have impacted the spot prices. However, many experts project that the increase in the spot prices will not last long.
*The spot prices are released to members only.
Table: 30-Day Rolling Averages of 128Mb DRAMs (PC133, 16M x 8) Oct. 4-Nov. 2, 2001 (survey by ICIS-LOR)Area
Contract price
Week-on-week comparison
North America
US$1.36
-2.29%
Europe
US$1.47
-3.00%
Asia
US$1.34
-3.26%
*Week-on-week comparison is the comparison with the 30-day rolling averages of Sept. 27-Oct. 26, 2001.
Previous report: 128MB DIMM Spot Prices Decline Below US$10 nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com]
(Tamao Kikuchi, Nikkei Market Access) |
