Market Insights and Trends

 

Global Semiconductor Market Tops $200 Billion Quarterly for First Time 

According to the latest data from WSTS, the global semiconductor market reached $208 billion in the third quarter of 2025, breaking the $200 billion quarterly mark for the first time. This represents a 15.8% quarter-on-quarter increase, the highest growth since the second quarter of 2009, and a 25.1% year-on-year increase, the strongest since the fourth quarter of 2021. WSTS has raised its full-year market forecast to $728 billion, reflecting a 15% year-on-year growth, and expects the market to reach approximately $800 billion in 2026.  

 

 

Among the top 20 semiconductor companies by revenue, NVIDIA led with $57 billion in third-quarter sales, followed by Samsung and SK Hynix with $23.9 billion and $17.6 billion, respectively. Memory companies showed notable growth, with Kioxia, Micron, SanDisk, Samsung, and SK Hynix achieving year-on-year increases of 31%, 22%, 21%, 19%, and 10%, respectively. Among non-memory companies, Sony Imaging, NVIDIA, AMD, Broadcom, and STMicroelectronics led in quarterly growth, with increases of 51%, 22%, 20%, 16%, and 15%, while MediaTek was the only top 20 company to see a decline, with a 5.5% drop in revenue. 

 

 

The industry's growth is largely driven by AI-related demand. In the first three quarters of 2025, the overall semiconductor market grew by 21.2% year-on-year, with NVIDIA's revenue increasing by 62% and major memory companies collectively growing by 21%. SEMI further highlighted that nearly half of all semiconductor capital expenditures will be driven by AI by 2030. Semiconductor Intelligence's preliminary forecast for the semiconductor market growth in 2026 ranges from 12% to 18%, indicating strong medium- to long-term growth prospects for the industry.

 

 

 

Dutch Suspends Nexperia Order, But Wingtech's Control Remains Limited

On November 19, 2025, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy announced the suspension of the ministerial order against Nexperia. This order had originally required Nexperia's 30 global entities to refrain from any adjustments to their assets, intellectual property, operations, or personnel for one year.

 

 

However, Wingtech confirmed in its announcement that despite the suspension of the order, its control over Nexperia remains restricted. According to the still-effective ruling: Zhang Xuezheng remains suspended and no longer serves as CEO of Nexperia; the voting rights of Nexperia shares indirectly held by Wingtech continue to be managed by a court-appointed independent administrator; and CFO Stefan Tilger will continue to serve as interim CEO.

 

As a leading automotive-grade power device supplier, Nexperia derives nearly 60% of its product revenue from the automotive sector, serving major automakers such as Volkswagen and BMW. Its Dongguan packaging and testing plant produces over 50 billion semiconductor components annually, accounting for 80% of global packaging capacity. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce emphasized in recent face-to-face consultations with the Netherlands that the Dutch actions are the root cause of supply chain disruptions. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association had previously warned that Nexperia's chip inventory can only last for a few weeks, while finding alternative suppliers could take months, potentially triggering a new chip shortage.

 

 

Chip Shortages Drive Up Electronics Prices, 2026 Shipments Revised Down

Due to rising memory chip prices and supply shortages, TrendForce has lowered its 2026 global shipment forecasts: smartphone shipments have been revised from an expected 0.1% year-on-year growth to a 2% decline, while notebook shipments have been adjusted from 1.7% growth to a 2.4% decline. If the supply-demand imbalance worsens, further revisions may follow.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2025, DRAM contract prices increased by over 75% year-on-year, raising the share of memory costs in smartphone bill-of-materials from 10–15% to 18–25%. Memory costs for smartphones are expected to increase by another 5–7% in 2026. For notebooks, memory now accounts for over 20% of total device costs, up from 10–18%. If these cost increases are passed on to consumers, end-product prices could rise by 5–15%.

 

 

Currently, smartphone brands such as Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo generally hold less than two months of memory inventory, with some manufacturers having less than three weeks of DRAM stock. They are facing nearly 50% price hike pressure from suppliers. Among PC brands, ASUS has built up approximately four months of safety stock to mitigate short-term supply shocks.

 

The graphics card market is also facing price increases. AMD and NVIDIA have confirmed rising costs for GDDR6/GDDR7 memory and plan to raise prices in the first quarter of 2026, with some adjustments potentially starting as early as December this year or January next year. NVIDIA has decided to delay the launch of its RTX 50 Super series, which was originally planned to increase memory capacity by 50%, pushing its release to the second half of next year.

 

As the chip shortage spreads from phones and computers to graphics cards, price hikes across consumer electronics are expected to continue through 2026.

 

 

 

DRAM Revenue Jumps 31% in Q3, Q4 Prices Set to Soar Over 50%

According to the latest TrendForce survey, the DRAM industry's revenue grew 30.9% quarter-on-quarter in Q3 2025, reaching $41.4 billion. Looking ahead to Q4, standard DRAM contract prices are projected to increase by 45–50%, while combined DRAM and HBM prices are expected to rise by 50–55%.

 

 

Among major suppliers, SK Hynix's revenue grew 12.4% to $13.75 billion, with a market share of 33.2%. Samsung's revenue reached $13.5 billion, up 30.4%, securing 32.6% market share. Micron reported revenue of $10.65 billion, surging 53.2%, and significantly increased its market share to 25.7%.

Taiwanese manufacturers also showed strong performance. Nanya Technology's revenue grew 84% to $630 million, Winbond Electronics reported $220 million with 21.4% growth, and Powerchip Semiconductor saw its DRAM revenue increase 62.8% to $33 million. Including foundry revenue, Powerchip’s total growth reached 36%.

Driven by expanding HBM shipments, depleted supplier inventories, and sustained cloud demand, the DRAM market is expected to maintain its momentum of rising prices and volumes through the end of the year. 

 

 

Global Memory Chip Shortage: 2027 Supply Already Booked, Prices May Surge Over 40%

The global memory chip market is facing widespread supply constraints as AI infrastructure investments reach hundreds of billions of dollars. The industry has shifted to supply agreements lasting six months or longer, with multiple manufacturers securing contracts through 2026—some even extending negotiations into 2027.

The DRAM segment is particularly strained. As of Q3 2025, Samsung's Device Solutions division finished goods inventory fell to 3.404 trillion KRW, down 14.6% from the previous quarter. SK Hynix's inventory dropped to 2.152 trillion KRW, decreasing by 368.9 billion KRW since the end of 2024. SK Hynix has already sold out its 2026 DRAM capacity and begun supply talks for 2027, while Samsung has signed contracts for most of its 2026 output and is reportedly considering raising DRAM prices by over 40%.

The surge in demand is driven mainly by AI inference and data center expansion. Industry sources note that current purchasing intensity exceeds the 2017 supercycle, with buyers willing to pay above-market rates to secure mid- to long-term supply.

The supply-demand strain spans the entire industry chain. Xiaomi and Lenovo have already signed full-year memory supply agreements for 2026. In chip manufacturing, SMIC is operating at 95.8% capacity and handling numerous rush memory orders, while equipment lead times have stretched to six months.

Industry analysis suggests that a supply gap of just 5% could trigger exponential price increases. New players require at least 16 months from tape-out to volume production. As contract periods extend and pricing strengthens, leading suppliers are positioned to sustain this "Supercycle" through 2027. 

 

 

Memory "Super Cycle" to Last Three Years as AI Demand Soars

Driven by surging demand for AI memory, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are expected to see their combined operating profit exceed 100 trillion KRW for the first time in 2025. Morgan Stanley forecasts Samsung's operating profit will reach 116.448 trillion KRW next year, more than triple the expected 37 trillion KRW for this year. Nomura predicts SK Hynix will achieve 99 trillion KRW in operating profit next year, potentially rising to 128 trillion KRW by 2027.

This growth stems from persistent supply shortages across memory products, pushing prices higher. Nomura has raised its 2026 DRAM price growth forecast from 38% to 57%, while its NAND flash price increase estimate has been lifted from 36% to 65%. Both companies have nearly sold out their main memory products, and supply tightness is expected to continue into next year.

Industry analysis indicates this is the first "semiconductor super cycle" since 2017 and is projected to last at least three years. As AI investments reshape the market, pricing power is shifting from consumers to suppliers. To meet demand, Samsung has resumed construction of its P4 plant in Pyeongtaek, and SK Hynix is accelerating equipment installation and production at its Cheongju M15X facility.

Analysts emphasize that, driven by structural changes from AI, the memory supply-demand imbalance and rising price trend are likely to persist beyond 2027. 

 

 

Memory Chip Shortage at 20-Year High, DDR4 Prices Surge Over 1000%

Industry experts confirm that the current shortage of DRAM and NAND flash memory is the most severe in 20 years, with DDR4 prices rising over 1000% since last year—and the increase continues.  

Adata Chairman Chen Li-bai warns that memory chip contract prices will keep rising for at least two to three quarters, with the market expected to remain in short supply through the first half of 2026. This view is supported across the supply chain. GigaDevice also confirms that niche DRAM remains in short supply, with price hikes likely for the next two quarters and elevated levels through next year.  

The shortage stems from multiple factors: suppliers shifting capacity to high-margin AI chips, booming demand from AI, cloud, and edge computing, and depleted safety stock among downstream customers.  

Market dynamics have fundamentally shifted in favor of suppliers. Chen revealed there is no overbooking—instead, major clients’ top executives are personally negotiating for supply. “Placing two or three purchase orders doesn’t guarantee allocation,” he said, and most customers cannot secure annual contracts, resorting to monthly negotiations. Innodisk also confirmed that daily operations revolve around allocating “limited supply to key customers,” marking a new era where “money doesn’t guarantee supply.”

NAND flash shortage is even more severe than expected—though it emerged later than DRAM, the supply gap is deeper and price increases exceed earlier forecasts. To cope, Adata is accelerating inventory buildup, targeting NT$20 billion in stock by Q1 next year, and will adopt a “conservative sales” strategy, prioritizing strategic key accounts.

The industry widely sees this AI-driven demand cycle as “fast, fierce, and long,” unlike past short-term fluctuations. The 2026 market is summarized as “dual shortage, one arrival”—shortages in both DRAM and NAND, alongside the full rollout of Edge AI. Although companies like GigaDevice are developing self-developed LPDDR4X (mass production planned next year) and planning LPDDR5X, mainland Chinese suppliers hold only about 10% market share—insufficient to alleviate the global shortage. Meanwhile, international suppliers have scheduled capacity expansions only for 2027 or 2028, indicating tight supply and rising prices will likely continue for the next two years. 

 

 

1c DRAM Race: SK Hynix Boosts Output 8-Fold, Samsung Aims for 200K Wafers Monthly

Samsung and SK Hynix are accelerating their adoption of 1c nanometer process technology. Samsung plans to convert existing lines and build new dedicated facilities, targeting monthly production of 200,000 1c DRAM wafers by the end of 2026. The rollout will occur in three phases: reaching 60,000 wafers by end-2025, increasing to 140,000 in Q2 2026, and achieving the full target in Q4 2026.

SK Hynix's expansion is even more aggressive. It aims to boost monthly 1c DRAM capacity from the current ~20,000 wafers to 160,000–190,000 within next year—a 800%–950% increase. To support this growth, its facility investments are expected to exceed 30 trillion KRW next year, with analysts forecasting operating profit surpassing 70 trillion KRW, a record high.

Demand remains robust. Server clients are willing to pay a 70% premium for 96GB and 128GB DDR5 modules. In the high-end segment, SK Hynix has raised HBM4 prices by over 50% to over $500 per unit and has already sold out its next year’s capacity.

Despite accelerated production, the supply-demand gap continues to widen. Counterpoint Research reports memory prices have risen 50% year-to-date, with a further 30% increase expected in Q4 2025 and another ~20% in early 2026. The market is seeing a rare price inversion: consumer DDR4 now costs $2.10 per gigabit, higher than HBM3e at $1.70 and DDR5 at $1.50. The firm predicts DDR5 64GB RDIMM module prices could double from Q1 2025 to end-2026, while some smartphone BoM costs have already increased by 15%.

 

 

This capacity race underscores how AI-driven memory demand has expanded from HBM to general-purpose DRAM, propelling the industry into a new "super cycle". 
 

 

NVIDIA Pushes LPDDR5X for Servers, May Double Memory Prices by 2026

NVIDIA's next-generation AI server platforms plan to widely adopt LPDDR5X instead of traditional DDR5, significantly shifting the server memory market. LPDDR5X offers 10,667 Mbps transfer speeds while consuming just one-eighth the power per GB compared to DDR5, potentially reducing data center operating costs.

According to Counterpoint Research, this transition could double server memory prices by the end of 2026 and intensify global DRAM supply tightness. Currently, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron dominate LPDDR5X production, but they are prioritizing more profitable HBM and high-end DDR5, limiting LPDDR5X capacity expansion.

NVIDIA's strong adoption will not only raise LPDDR5X prices but may also squeeze LPDDR supply for smartphones and laptops. Meanwhile, China's CXMT has successfully mass-produced 10,667 Mbps LPDDR5X and could transition from consumer electronics to the enterprise market if it accelerates server customer certification.

Taiwan's supply chain will benefit from system integration, module packaging, and testing. Nanya and Winbond have deep expertise in specialty memory, while Powertech, ChipMOS, Unimicron, and Gold Circuit Electronics will see growing demand for high-density packaging solutions.   

 

 

China's CXMT Joins Global DDR5 Elite with 8000Mbps Speed, Boosting Output 50%

CXMT (ChangXin Memory Technologies) launched its new DDR5 product series at IC China 2025, achieving a top speed of 8000 Mbps — 25% faster than the current mainstream 6400 Mbps. The company also introduced 24Gb high-capacity chips, enabling significant system performance gains without adding physical slots.

On the production side, TrendForce data shows CXMT's capacity will reach 300,000 wafers monthly by the end of 2025, a 50% increase from current levels. Counterpoint forecasts the company’s DRAM shipments will grow 50% this year, with its market share rising from 6% in Q1 to 8% in Q4. Growth is even stronger in new product segments: its DDR5 market share is expected to jump from under 1% at the start of the year to 7% by year-end, while its LPDDR5 share will surge from 0.5% to 9%.

In a global DRAM market where three giants control over 90% of share, CXMT’s DDR5 breakthrough signals its products now match international premium standards. With continued capacity expansion and technological upgrades, CXMT is well-positioned to steadily increase its global market share, supported by China’s vast domestic consumer market.   

 

 

 

HDD Lead Times Hit Two Years, QLC SSD Supply Booked Through 2026

The global AI infrastructure expansion is triggering a storage supply chain crisis. Enterprise hard disk drive (HDD) lead times have extended to two years, pushing cloud providers to shift heavily to high-capacity solid-state drives (SSD), which in turn is tightening NAND flash supply.

Although approximately 95% of global data storage still relies on HDDs, nearline HDD supply has become structurally constrained. HDD makers are expanding capacity cautiously, planning only about 5% annual increases in capital expenditure. Meanwhile, Western Digital's top seven customers have placed orders through 2027, and its stock price has surged over 200% this year.

To cope with the HDD shortage, North American and Chinese cloud providers are urgently purchasing QLC NAND-based SSDs. Major NAND producers have already sold out their 2026 QLC capacity, and SSD prices are expected to rise further in the fourth quarter of this year. Industry analysis suggests that with the maturation of PCIe 5.0 controllers and QLC process technology, 2026 could mark a key inflection point toward structural balance in the NAND industry.

With HDD supply highly concentrated and following a build-to-order model, cloud companies must join waiting lists, and some have already signed 2026 long-term agreements to secure future supply. Given continued strong AI and data center capital spending by tech firms, HDD supply constraints are unlikely to ease in the foreseeable future. 

 

 

NAND Flash Prices Soar 50% in a Month, 2027 Supply Already Booked

The global NAND flash market is facing severe supply shortages and sharp price increases. Major suppliers Samsung, SK Hynix, Kioxia, and Micron have jointly cut production while pushing through price hikes. Samsung plans to raise 2025 NAND prices by 20–30%, with the overall market projected to see further increases of 40–50%.

Supply conditions are exceptionally tight, with 2025 NAND capacity already fully booked. Manufacturers have even begun negotiations with customers for 2027 supply. Research data shows Samsung and Kioxia have reduced their 2024 NAND wafer production targets by approximately 7% and 2%, respectively, with further cuts expected next year.

Pricing has risen sharply, with the overall NAND average price up 15% last quarter. The fixed transaction price for 128Gb MLC NAND rose 10.6% in September and 14.9% in October—the largest monthly increase in a decade. In November, SanDisk implemented a single 50% price hike on contract prices, far exceeding market expectations. This marks its third increase this year, following 10% across-the-board raises in April and September. In the spot market, 512Gb TLC NAND wafer prices have nearly doubled.

The shortage stems from capacity shifts and changing demand patterns. Manufacturers are prioritizing HBM and general-purpose DRAM, while transitioning from TLC to more profitable QLC NAND production. QLC provides over 30% higher storage density than TLC in the same size. Hana Securities estimates 2025 NAND demand will grow 18% year-on-year, exceeding supply by 5%. Kioxia forecasts the NAND market will grow at 20% annually through 2029, with AI-related products accounting for roughly 50% of total NAND demand by then.

As the supply-demand imbalance continues, suppliers are extending contract terms from quarterly to two or three quarters, with market tightness expected to last through the end of next year.  

 

 

 

AMD Gains x86 Market Share in Q3, Reaching 30.9%

In the third quarter of 2025, AMD’s share of the global x86 processor market reached 30.9%, an increase of 6 percentage points from the same period last year. Excluding semi-custom products such as game consoles, its share stood at 25.6%, up 1.6 percentage points year-on-year. Against a backdrop of overall market softness, AMD continued to expand its presence across several key segments.

 

In the server CPU segment, AMD’s share rose to 27.8%, a gain of 3.5 percentage points compared to the previous year. Intel still holds over 72% of this market. Both companies have benefited from the launch of new server chips, achieving higher revenue despite steady unit shipments.

 

In desktop processors, AMD’s share grew by nearly 5 percentage points to 33.6%, while Intel’s share declined accordingly but still accounts for about two-thirds of the market. The mobile CPU segment told a different story: Intel’s share increased slightly by 0.4 percentage points to 78.1% year-on-year, though it decreased compared to the previous quarter.  

 

 

 

Cloud Giants Boost Spending, 2026 Capex to Top $600 Billion

According to the latest research from TrendForce, the capital expenditure of the world's eight largest cloud service providers is accelerating. Their 2025 growth rate has been revised upward from 61% to 65%, and total spending is expected to exceed $600 billion in 2026, maintaining a 40% annual growth rate and highlighting the long-term potential of AI infrastructure investment.

 

 

Among individual companies, Google has raised its 2025 capex to $91–93 billion; Meta increased it to $70–72 billion; and Amazon lifted its spending to $125 billion. Microsoft also expects its fiscal 2026 capex to exceed 2025 levels.

 

This wave of capital expansion is strongly driving the AI hardware ecosystem. Driven by NVIDIA, the combined shipments of its GB300 and VR200 chips in 2026 are expected to exceed projections. At the same time, AMD’s Helios rack-scale solution will be adopted by Meta and Oracle as initial customers. To keep up with demand, Meta plans to increase its 2026 capex by 65% to $118 billion, while also deploying rack-scale solutions and developing its own chips.

 

U.S. May Allow Nvidia H200 Chip Exports to China

According to Reuters and other media reports, the Trump administration is considering approving the export of Nvidia's H200 AI chip to China. If approved, this would mark the first substantial easing of U.S. restrictions on high-performance AI chip exports to China since strict controls were imposed in 2022.

 

The H200, a high-performance GPU based on the Hopper architecture, is equipped with 141GB of HBM3e memory and offers 4.8TB/s of bandwidth. Its performance is roughly twice that of the H20, a chip Nvidia specifically designed for the Chinese market. Although the H200 would still require adjustments in core count and bandwidth to comply with export controls, its overall performance would remain significantly better than the H20.

 

Nvidia’s China-specific H20 chip recorded only $50 million in sales in the third quarter, far below expectations. CEO Jensen Huang estimates the current size of China’s AI chip market at approximately $50 billion, with potential growth to $200 billion by 2030. Current restrictions prevent Nvidia from participating in this rapidly expanding market.

 

If the H200 export is approved, it could generate about $8 billion in annual revenue for Nvidia, alleviating the near-total loss of its sales in China. However, domestic AI chip developers such as Huawei, Baidu, and Alibaba are accelerating their own chip development, and competition between Chinese and foreign companies in the local market is expected to intensify.

 

 

AMD Raises GPU Prices Again by 10%, NVIDIA May Stop Low-End Card Production

Rising memory chip costs are driving a new wave of price and product adjustments in the GPU market. AMD has informed partners of a second price increase across its graphics card lineup, with an average rise of at least 10%. This follows an earlier price hike at the end of October, marking the company's second adjustment in a short period.

 

At the same time, NVIDIA is considering halting production of some entry-level and mid-range graphics cards to prioritize limited GDDR7 memory supplies for higher-end models, optimizing its profit structure. NVIDIA also plans to raise prices across all GPU series in early 2026, and the launch of its semi-refreshed RTX 50 Super series may be delayed due to memory cost pressures.

 

The volatility in memory pricing is the direct cause of this round of GPU price increases. Industry data shows that chip prices from the three major DRAM suppliers have accumulated a 90% increase since their release, with recent quotes for GDDR6/GDDR7 memory used in graphics cards surging by 30%.

 

In the channel, AMD partner PowerColor has indicated that Black Friday promotions may represent the "last opportunity" before full price hikes take effect. Although brands like ASUS and Gigabyte still maintain around 8 weeks of component inventory and have at least a quarter of memory supply secured, structural cost increases are now unavoidable.

 

Against a backdrop of significant price increases for most Intel CPU models and suspended shipments of some AMD CPU models, this GPU price adjustment further demonstrates how storage cost pressures are spreading across the computing hardware sector. With AI industry growth continuing to drive data center demand, price restructuring and product strategy adjustments in the graphics card market are expected to continue through 2026.

 

 

 

Passive Component Prices Rise Up to 30% as Material Costs Climb

Rising prices for key metals have triggered a new round of price increases in the passive component industry. China's Fenghua Advanced Technology has raised prices across multiple product lines: inductors and magnetic beads by 5–25%, varistor and ceramic capacitor silver-electrode series by 10–20%, and thick-film circuits by 15–30%. The adjustments are driven by significant cost pressures, with silver prices up approximately 50% since the start of the year, alongside broad increases in tin, copper, bismuth, and cobalt.

 

 

At the same time, KEMET, a subsidiary of Yageo, has raised prices for some tantalum capacitor products by up to 30% effective November 1. Cost impacts are particularly pronounced, with silver paste accounting for up to 60% of production costs for components such as multilayer chip inductors, forcing manufacturers to adjust prices to protect margins.

 

 

Strong demand from key sectors is supporting the price increases. AI servers and new energy vehicles are core drivers—a single AI server uses 8 times more MLCCs than a traditional server, and a pure electric vehicle uses approximately 18,000 MLCCs, 6 times the number used in a fuel-powered vehicle. As demand recovers, industry-wide capacity utilization has risen from around 65% at the start of the year to over 80%, while inventory levels have returned to a healthy range of 3–4 months.

 

With raw material costs continuing to climb and downstream demand remaining strong, this wave of cost-driven and demand-supported price increases is expected to continue, leaving room for further adjustments in some product categories.

 

 

 

Manufacturer Updates

ST

Consumer Electronics Demand Boosts Chip Supply Recovery

Consumer electronics demand has strengthened significantly, with a month-over-month increase of about 20%, leading to more normalized delivery times across most products. The majority of ST's chip lead times have now shortened to 12–16 weeks. However, industrial and automotive demand recovery remains slow. Some automotive-grade analog chips and high-end MEMS sensors are still facing tight supply, with lead times likely remaining over 20 weeks.

 

 

Renesas

Auto & Industrial MCUs Face 20-45 Week Lead Times

Renesas continues to experience supply constraints, with overall product lead times remaining at 20–45 weeks. Pressure is most noticeable in the automotive and industrial sectors—key markets for Renesas—where specific MCUs used in engine control and body electronics, such as the RSF2 and RSF5 series, are in particularly short supply.

 

 

TI

Tariffs and Distribution Shifts Fuel SN74/TPS/TLV Demand

Due to tariff changes and distributor consolidation, demand for TI products has increased, speeding up inventory turnover. Growth is concentrated in specific product lines, including the SN74 series logic chips and TPS and TLV power management chips.

 

ADI

Industrial and AI Demand Growth Drives February Price Hike

Demand for Analog Devices products has grown compared to last month, driven mainly by industrial and AI-related applications. According to feedback from spot market suppliers, ADI plans to raise prices in February next year.

 

 

Broadcom

Server Chip Supply Crunch Drives Prices Higher

Broadcom's recent supply focus has been on server components. Both the SX series expansion cards and the high-end BCM5699 switch chips are in very short supply and are expected to remain difficult to obtain in the short term. Market prices are well above normal levels, with some part numbers already doubling in price. In AI-related products, the SS24 continues to decline, while the SS26 has started to rebound, rising from around $500 to over $600, with further increases expected.

 

 

Microchip

Q2 Revenue $1.14B; Data Center Offsets Auto Slowdown

Microchip reported $1.14 billion in revenue for its second fiscal quarter. However, its guidance for the next quarter is in the range of $1.109–1.149 billion, below market expectations, reflecting soft overall demand. While automotive and industrial markets remain weak, data center and aerospace demand is strong. The book-to-bill ratio reached 1.06, indicating progress in inventory normalization.

 

 

onsemi

Q3 Sales Beat Forecasts at $1.55B, Power Chips Volatile

onsemi reported Q3 2025 revenue of $1.5509 billion, down from $1.76 billion a year earlier but above market estimates of $1.52 billion. Gross margin was 37.9%. Strong demand for energy-efficient power chips from data centers, driven by AI applications, helped offset weakness in the automotive segment. Due to trade restrictions, lead times and pricing for onsemi's power devices have become highly volatile.

 

 

Infineon

Partners with SDI Corporation on AI and GaN Amid Auto Weaknes

Infineon's automotive business, which accounts for over half of its revenue, is facing weak demand and inventory adjustments in Europe and the U.S. In response, the company is increasing its focus on high-growth segments such as AI and GaN. Earlier this month, Infineon signed an agreement with SDI Corporation to cooperate in AI server power management and third-generation semiconductor technologies.

 

 

NXP

Weak Demand Persists; Auto Recovery Expected by Q1 2026

NXP's demand remained soft in November, with stable pricing and lead times. As automotive chip inventories continue to decline, the oversupply situation is expected to ease by year-end. Factory inventory levels are likely to return to a normal range, positioning NXP for a potential recovery by Q1 2026. The company remains a strong player in automotive semiconductors, especially in high-voltage battery management and smart cockpit solutions.

 

 

Xilinx

FPGA Lead Times Hit 40-52 Weeks, Auto Grade Most Impacted

The FPGA market, including Xilinx products, continues to face major supply chain challenges. Lead times for some Xilinx FPGAs have reached 40–52 weeks or longer, with automotive-grade parts especially affected. While FPGAs remain important in industrial and IoT applications, high-end and automotive/defense-oriented FPGAs are experiencing severe shortages and supply complexity.

 

 

 

Spot Market Insights
Memory

eMMC / NOR Flash

• The market maintains a strong upward trajectory, with eMMC prices consistently reaching new highs in November. Trading activity has intensified significantly, particularly for 8Gb capacity, where large-volume orders have driven pronounced price increases. Bullish sentiment prevails, making eMMC the preferred choice for channel stockpiling.  
•  Supply constraints persist among major brands: Kioxia and Sandisk eMMC are nearing a halt in quotations, with scarce market availability and sustained high prices. Authorized distributors face shipment limitations, while trader offers continue to climb.  
• The NOR Flash market follows a similar upward trend, with leading brands such as Winbond, Macronix, and Micron experiencing substantial price hikes. Some models recorded daily increases of $1–2, accumulating an overall price surge exceeding 50%.  
• MXIC spot prices have risen notably. The manufacturer has issued a blanket price increase notification, extending order lead times to 8–10 weeks and ceasing acceptance of low-price orders.  

 

 

DRAM

• DDR4 prices have surged across all densities, with an aggregate increase of over 50%. The 16Gb segment reached record-high levels, supported by robust demand and swift absorption of low-priced inventory. The 4Gb/8Gb categories have entered a consolidation phase, accompanied by chaotic market quotations. End-product manufacturers exhibit low acceptance of current prices, with most transactions occurring among traders.  
• DDR3 prices rose in early November due to inventory-building demand but softened by month-end as market supply increased.  
• By brand: Samsung’s DDR4 8Gb remains in short supply, while Hynix and Micron prices have soared, repeatedly setting new transaction records.

 

 

LPDDR

• Overall supply from manufacturers remains constrained, with official prices adjusted upward across the board. Samsung’s LPDDR series faces severe shortages and limited market circulation. Micron maintains minimal supply availability, with prices continuing to escalate. 
• Segment-specific trends: LPDDR4X 32Gb demonstrates strong demand and significant price appreciation, while LPDDR5/5X supply remains persistently tight. .

 

 

Server DDR4 & DDR5

• DDR4 prices remain elevated. With production discontinued, a significant price correction is unlikely. Overseas orders continue to actively seek supply.  

• DDR5 prices continue a gradual upward trend, with 96Gb and 128Gb high-density models experiencing ongoing shortages.  

• Market sentiment: After a rapid price surge in early November, DIMM prices across all densities have stabilized. Optimism prevails, and trading activity remains brisk.  

• Demand shift: High DDR5 prices have driven some domestic customers toward the recycled chip market, fueling a sharp price increase in that segment.

 

 

 

Storage

HDD

• Enterprise HDD demand remains robust, fueling a renewed upward cycle. Seagate/WD 4TB–24TB drives have seen marked demand growth, with small-capacity units in tight supply and strong demand for high-capacity models.  
• Supply-side developments: Seagate has raised prices by 20% across its product line. The company’s SATA 24TB enterprise-grade drives are out of stock and commanding premium prices, though limited shipments are expected in China by late November. WD and Toshiba have yet to adjust prices, but market demand remains intense.  
• Long-term outlook: Production capacity through 2026 has been partially reserved, suggesting that supply constraints will persist until the end of 2026.

 

 

SSD

• Samsung SSD prices have stabilized following previous increases. Supply remains constrained but without critical shortages. A further price hike is anticipated in Q1 next year.

 

 

 

CPU

Mobile Platforms

• Recent demand has stabilized, with prices transitioning from increases to a steady state. Popular models are concentrated in the N-series (N95, N97, N150) and 13th-generation processors, with certain variants still facing supply constraints. 

 

 

PC Platforms

• Loose CPU prices continue to rise, with increases of up to 20% in some regions. Demand is concentrated on 12th-, 13th-, and 14th-generation products (e.g. i7-12700K, i5-13400).

 

 

Server Platforms

• Intel server CPU supply is expected to remain tight through Q1 next year. Demand is focused on 3rd and 4th generations, with prices beginning to rise. Shortages of 5th-generation models may extend into Q1 next year.

 

 

 

NIC

• Selected network and RAID cards recorded price increases of over 10% in November.  
•  Key models: MCX623105AN-VDAT is experiencing severe market shortages, with lead times for futures extending to 16–26 weeks. RAID card 9560-16I is in highest demand, while the 9560-8I also remains highly sought after.