From 11/11/2003 to 11/17/2003, SDRAM keeps going up. The configurations as of 1Mx16, 4Mx16, 8Mx16 were up 2.88%, 4.91% and 2.06% respectively, contributed by strong demand from consumer electronics sections. 128Mb 16Mx8 was up 4.15%, mainly from the USA orders to build modules for upgrading market. SDRAM has continued heading up in contrast with DDR pricing trend, however, marketers concern the uptrend momentum may turn slow or even turn around as the seasonal demand is about to pass the peak. We believe 4Mx16/8Mx16 which applied most to STB(set-up box), DSC (digital camera ) and DVD still see support due to tight supply and remain skeptical on 1Mx16 which is for HDD and DVD only.

 

 

The participants in spot market including channel distributors, module houses and traders are more controlled on their inventory level as the disappointing growth, stagnant transactions and coming slow seasons all suggested that DDR might be heading for a cyclical downtrend. We can only expect that some unexpected rush orders emerge to support the prices a bit. In past week, the average price for DDR400MHz was down 2.91% from $4.47 to $4.34, DDR333MHz was down 2.08% from $4.33 to $4.24 and DDR266MHz was down 1.64% from $4.26 to $4.19.

 

 

 

Even DRAM manufactures try to remain the 2H Nov. contract prices at the same level, the pressure from OEMs is pulling the 2H Nov. of 256MB.contract prices down at least $1 to $1.5, about 2-3%.The most significant down is on DDR400MHz and one thing to notice is there’s no disparity existing between long DIMM and SODIMM at this time which indicates a selling pressure from the DRAM makers. The negative sentiment has spread over the contract and spot markets and some marketers have forecasted DDR 256Mb 32x8 UTT will go down to $4.00 to the end of this month.