Micron Technology(US:MU) 招商电子·2026-02-05 09:52Demand Side - The global storage bit demand CAGR is expected to maintain around 20%, with the server market share gradually increasing [12][13][19] - AI inference is driving the demand for a three-tier storage architecture, highlighting the growing importance of NAND in data centers [24][25] - The global storage industry market size is projected to reach nearly $300 billion in 2026, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 39% [12][13] Supply Side - New supply in 2026 is expected to be limited, with bit shipment growth projected at around 20% for both DRAM and NAND [35][41] - Capital expenditures from major manufacturers are set to increase significantly in 2026, but effective capacity release will be delayed until 2027 [41][43] - The supply-demand mismatch is expected to persist, maintaining a seller's market until 2027 [3][35] Inventory Side - Manufacturer inventory levels are expected to remain tight throughout 2026, with a significant increase in strategic stocking by downstream manufacturers [46][47] - Original manufacturers are experiencing a decline in inventory levels, while downstream module manufacturers are actively increasing stock to meet anticipated demand [46][56] - Domestic module manufacturers have reported record-high inventory levels, which will support revenue and profit growth in 2026 [56][58] Price Side - The AI-driven demand is leading to a significant price increase, with contract prices for DRAM and NAND expected to rise sharply in Q1 2026 [4][5] - The overall price index has been accelerating since the second half of 2025, indicating a strong upward trend [4][5] - The combination of rising prices and demand is expected to drive substantial revenue growth across the entire storage industry in 2026 [5][12] Sales Side - The supply-demand mismatch is driving simultaneous increases in volume and price across the industry, with original manufacturers locking in high growth [5][12] - Revenue and profit for major manufacturers are expected to reach historical highs in Q4 2025 and continue to grow in 2026 due to strong AI demand [5][12] - Domestic and overseas manufacturers are expected to benefit from strategic inventory advantages, leading to significant performance improvements [5][12]