DRAM contract prices dip in 2H November, says DRAMeXchange

Josephine Lien, Taipei; Jessie Shen, DIGITIMES [Monday 3 December 2012]

DRAM contract prices for the second half of November fell again, but at a slower pace than in previous months, according to DRAMeXchange.

Late November quotes for 2GB and 4GB DDR3 modules averaged US$8.75 and US$15.25, respectively, down about 3%, DRAMeXchange said. Prices for 2Gb chips stood at US$0.80 on average during the period, compared to US$0.83 in early November.

Having declined since July, DRAM contract prices went flat in the first half of November, DRAMeXchange previously disclosed.

Sluggish PC demand has discouraged system clients from building up DRAM inventories, according to industry watchers. On the supply side, growth has been insignificant enabling chip prices to fall only slightly, the watchers commented.

DRAM contract prices for the rest of 2012 are unlikely to fall significantly further, the watchers believe.

In addition, global supply for standard DRAM will rise at a slower pace in 2013, as more suppliers switch their focus to non-PC products, DRAMeXchange pointed out. The bit growth for 2013 is estimated at as low as 30%, DRAMeXchange said.