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According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, total 4Q revenue for the global DRAM industry was stable at US$6.45 billion, a 1.7% QoQ decrease. Although 4Q contract price fell by approximately 25% QoQ, first-tier DRAM makers decreased the proportion of commodity DRAM production to less than 50% early on, significantly reducing losses from plummeting commodity DRAM prices and making room for more profitable mobile and server DRAM, thereby enabling 4Q revenue to match last quarter’s figures.
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The DRAM industry received tragic news today – Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron Semiconductors, passed away at 51 in a small plane crash in Boise, Idaho. In light of Appleton’s death, Micron COO and President Mark Durcan will assume the responsibilities of CEO until the successor is appointed by the Board of Directors...
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Suffering from the stir of the European sovereign debt storm in financial markets, concerns towards the uncertainty of global economic recovery, 4Q hot-season restocking demand was weaker than expected. NAND Flash restocking demand mainly relied on certain tablet PC and smart phone clients’ OEM orders, given weaker demand from the memory card and UFD channel markets.
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According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, 2H Jan. 2GB DRAM contract price remained flat, with average price at US$9.25. However, 4GB deals have already been concluded at a high of US$17.25, greater than 1H Jan.’s US$17, while the average stayed the same at US$16.5.
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As the Chinese New Year long vacation approaches, the NAND Flash market is currently experiencing a wait-and-see atmosphere. As some downstream clients still have enough inventory on-hand, most clients are unwilling to significantly increase purchase volume prior to the holiday. Instead, they are choosing to reduce risk by waiting until after Chinese New Year to replenish inventory based on holiday sales results.
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According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, 1HJan. contract price stayed flat. Average DDR3 4GB and DDR3 2GB prices held at US$16.5 and US$9.25, respectively. However, concluded transaction prices are gradually transitioning from low to average figures. Not only will the capacity cuts from 2H11 take effect in 1H12, but current contract prices are still at historic lows.
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Heading into the end of 2011, Elpida’s financial difficulties were revealed. Rumors abounded, not only of Elpida seeking a bailout from the Japanese government, but also of Toshiba stepping up to take over.
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According to TrendForce, as the market status remains unclear, some suppliers and buyers are not seeing eye-to-eye on price negotiations. Therefore, with few concluded transactions, 2HDec. mainstream NAND Flash MLC contract price fell by 3-8% compared to 1HDec.
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According to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce, while the market has entered the traditionally weak PC shipment season, compared with 1HDec., 2HDec. contract price showed a flat price trend. DDR3 4GB and DDR3 2GB ASP was US$16.5 and US$9.25, respectively. It is the end of the year, and the long and slow contract price decline that has been taking place since 2H11 is finally showing signs of stabilizing. Average 2Gb chip price stayed at the US$0.88 level.
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Impacted by the European debt crisis, the 4Q11 holiday peak sales season for electronic products was expected to be weaker than usual. Therefore, although NAND flash price already decreased significantly in 3Q11 (some system clients’ OEM order demand recovered slightly in September and October), price continued to fall gradually in 4Q11.
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