Memory prices stay flat in June, to increase in July

DRAM and NAND flash prices remained flat in June from the previous month, according to DRAMeXchange.

The fixed price of PC DDR4 8Gb was US$3.8 in June, the same as the in May. The prices of the second and third months of a quarter usually remains the same as new contracts are negotiated at the start of the quarter.

In April, PC DRAM price jumped 26.67% from the previous month. It was the highest increase in 51 months. Back in January, 2017, price increased by 35.8% from the previous quarter, thanks to demand for memory being at an all time high.

According to market research firm TrendForce, DRAM price in the third quarter is expected to increase between 3% to 8% from the previous quarter. Price is expected to further increase in fourth quarter, though not as high than in the third quarter.

NAND flash price also remained the same in June compared to a month ago. Fixed price of 128Gb MLC NAND was US$4.56 as it was in May. In April, when price of the NAND increased, it was the first time in 13 months.

Demand for SLC NAND was led by gigabit passive optical network and netwokring equipment in June, as it was in May. Demand for MLC on the other hand slowed down. 

NAND suppliers are expected to continue to under supply 2D NAND in July.