“芯片荒”再现！这次，全球抢购存储芯片

Core Insights - The global chip manufacturers are increasingly focused on producing AI chips, leading to a tightening supply of traditional chips used in smartphones, computers, and servers, which has caused panic buying and significant price increases [1][2] - The AI boom has unexpectedly benefited storage chip manufacturers, such as Samsung Electronics, as price fluctuations have boosted their stock prices [1][2] - The supply of conventional semiconductors has become critically tight, with equipment manufacturers hoarding storage chips, pushing the global storage chip industry into what some analysts call a "super cycle" [1][2] Supply Chain Dynamics - Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, storage chip manufacturers have been reallocating capacity to produce high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for NVIDIA's powerful AI chipsets, leading to supply shortages [1][2] - The average inventory cycle for DRAM chips has decreased from 10 weeks last year and 31 weeks at the beginning of 2023 to just 8 weeks [3] Market Trends - Major tech companies, including Google, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and CoreWeave, are expected to invest $400 billion in AI infrastructure this year, driving demand for chips [2] - The price of DRAM chips has nearly doubled year-on-year as of September, compared to a mere 4% increase in April [2] Profitability Outlook - If the current price increase trend continues, non-HBM storage chips are expected to become more profitable than HBM chips next year, with Samsung's ordinary DRAM chip operating profit margin estimated at 40% and HBM chips at 60% for Q3 [6] - The stock prices of storage chip manufacturers have surged this year, with Samsung's stock rising over 80%, SK Hynix's by 170%, and Micron's by 140% [9] Consumer Impact - The soaring chip prices may increase profit pressures on consumer electronics and server manufacturers, who are already facing cost hikes due to U.S. tariffs and potential supply chain disruptions from China's rare earth export restrictions [7][8] - Some manufacturers are passing cost pressures onto consumers, as seen with Raspberry Pi announcing a price increase due to storage costs rising by approximately 120% compared to last year [8] Cautious Sentiment on "Super Cycle" - While the profitability of non-HBM chips is rising, there is caution regarding the sustainability of the "super cycle," with some analysts suggesting that the industry is experiencing a typical shortage period that may last one to two years [9] - Investors remain wary of potential AI bubble signs, and while Samsung is expected to benefit from the current trend, there are concerns about its ability to close the gap with competitors in the HBM chip sector [9]