Micron Technology(US:MU) 2 1 Shi Ji Jing Ji Bao Dao·2025-12-18 11:22Core Viewpoint - The storage industry is experiencing a significant price increase driven by AI demand, marking the beginning of a "super cycle" in the sector [2][5][10]. Group 1: Price Increases and Market Dynamics - Major companies like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have raised product prices, with DDR contract prices expected to increase by 35% and NAND prices by 20% in Q4 2023 [2][5]. - UBS forecasts that DDR contract prices will rise by an additional 30% and NAND prices by 20% in Q1 2026 [2]. - The stock prices of several A-share companies in the storage sector have surged significantly, with Shannon Chip achieving a year-to-date increase of over 394% [2][8]. Group 2: Industry Trends and Future Outlook - The storage industry has entered a new cycle, with AI server demand increasing the shipment of storage chips, particularly DDR5 and HBM [5][6]. - The transition from DDR4 to DDR5 has been accelerated due to AI investments, leading to a supply-demand imbalance in the industry [6][11]. - Morgan Stanley predicts that the global storage market could reach $300 billion by 2027, driven by sustained demand [6][10]. Group 3: Company Performance and Financial Results - Micron reported a strong performance for Q1 FY2026, with adjusted revenue of $13.64 billion, a 57% year-over-year increase [7]. - Samsung's Q3 2025 operating profit reached 12.16 trillion KRW (approximately $85.6 billion), a 32.2% increase year-over-year [7]. - SK Hynix's Q3 2025 sales were 24.45 trillion KRW, with a year-over-year growth of 39% [7]. Group 4: Supply Chain and Production Strategies - Major players are cautious about expanding production capacity, focusing instead on optimizing capital expenditures to balance customer demand and market prices [10][11]. - SK Hynix plans to shift a significant portion of its DRAM capacity to the latest 10nm products, indicating a strategic pivot rather than aggressive expansion [10]. - The cautious approach stems from the fear of overproduction if AI demand does not sustain, as seen in previous downturns [11].