Institutions: DDR4 spot prices decline, NAND awaits contract prices to drive bottoming out and rebound

On March 25, according to TrendForce’s latest Storage Spot Price Trend Report, the upward momentum in the DRAM spot market has been held back, with the DDR4 sub-segment showing particular weakness. Meanwhile in the NAND flash market, as negotiations over prices for the new-quarter contracts draw near, the spot market is expected to gradually bottom out and rebound. Details are as follows:

DRAM spot market:

Because the March contract price remained the same as last month, and given that spot prices are already higher than contract prices, upside momentum in the DRAM spot market is constrained, with DDR4 conditions especially weak. Looking ahead to April, with expectations that contract prices will move higher further, TrendForce will continue to track the trajectory of spot prices. The leading DDR48Gb (1Gx8) 3200MT/s saw a price decline of 0.29% this week (3/18–3/24), falling from US$34.10 to US$34.00.

NAND spot market:

Due to high price levels and weak demand from consumer segments, the spot market has recently seen some temporary noise. However, as the time for price talks on the next season’s contracts gradually approaches, expectations that contract prices will keep rising have clearly intensified. Under the typical cycle of “contract prices leading and spot prices following,” the spot market is expected to gradually form a bottom and shift to an upward trend. This week (updated through 3/23), the 512Gb TLC Wafer spot price fell by 0.72%, with quotes reaching US$22.83 per piece.