Low prices for RAM: memory business with a huge minus
Micron is the first memory manufacturer to announce its business figures for the second fiscal quarter of 2023: a net loss of USD 2.31 billion. Samsung and SK Hynix are likely to fare similarly. For you as a customer, this primarily means lower prices for memory.
The turnover of memory manufacturer Micron has more than halved compared to the previous year: from 7.8 to 3.7 billion US dollars. The net loss amounts to 2.31 billion US dollars.
Trend foreseeable for some time
According to a report in the Korea Joong Ang Daily, Samsung is likely to suffer the same fate. The third big player in the group, SK Hynix, is also likely to lose billions. This was predicted by the market research company Trend Force back in August last year.
The manufacturers have therefore cut back their production and withheld investments. Micron has cut production by a quarter and reduced investments by 40 per cent. 15 per cent of employees have been made redundant. However, this alone is not enough to halt the fall in prices.
Prices for storage on the decline
Memory prices have fallen significantly since the beginning of the year. The RAM kit G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB, for example, still cost 479 francs / euro on 1 January 2023. As of today: 361 francs / euro. That's a third less.
For you as a customer, this primarily means lower prices. DDR5 RAM is finally affordable. The price drop is likely to take a few more months. Memory manufacturers do not expect an improvement until the middle of the year - from their point of view.
From big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.