DRAM contract prices continue downfall; 8 inch fabs becoming professional foundry services
The week-long Labor holidays officially kicked off in China last week. Spot market transactions were weak in the Asia Pacific region, as retailers had already stocked up sufficient inventory. In general, the spot market price continued its downward spiral. DDR2 512Mb 667MHz dropped 4.3% to USD 2.21, while the DDR2 512Mb 667MHz eTT declined more than 6%, slipping past the USD 2 mark to USD 1.8-1.9. As people return to work in China and Hong Kong this week, it remains to be seen whether it can spur more market demand.
Following the quarterly inventory adjustments by OEMs at the end of April, they are still negotiating with DRAM makers on the future contract price. Currently, there are no signs of a buildup in inventory. As both DRAM contract and spot prices continue to experience a downward trend, and with no evident demand appearing in May, contract prices are projected to drop further.
Last week, Taiwan's PSC announced it would transfer the operations of its 8 inch fabs to its 100% owned subsidiary--Maxchip, where they will primarily be tasked for foundry services. This marks the second case in which a DRAM maker has sold its 8 inch fab to another player. The first case was the selling of Winbond's 8 inch fab to Vanguard. As for Promos, it plans to relocate its 8 inch plants to China in 2008. Nanya is also planning to use its two 8 inch fabs for foundry service purposes. In the wake of the plummeting DRAM prices, 8 inch fabs are fast losing their competitiveness in the manufacturing of DDR2 chips. DRAM makers must quickly chart a new strategy before they become a serious liability.