Stamford, Conn. — Average spot pricing for DRAMs across all densities and technologies was down 0.6 percent last week compared with the previous week, settling at $2.56 on a 1-Gb equivalent basis, reports Gartner Inc.
Gartner analysts say current pricing is trading at 16.7 percent below the 52-week high of $3.07.
NAND flash spot prices remained stable for the second consecutive week, according to Gartner’s pricing report. While there are some problems with low-quality NAND flash reaching the market, which is pulling down prices due to poor quality, demand is expected to pick up in the third quarter, reports Gartner.
Gartner analysts say demand for NAND flash for handsets remains strong, and demand for media tablets, driven by Apple, continues to outperform expectations. While there are signs of softness in contract prices, the NAND industry can easily absorb the price declines, said the market researcher.
Lower prices leading into the seasonal build will help drive demand for higher-capacity NAND-based products, according to Gartner. Analysts recommend buyers take advantage of the current pricing environment, particularly in high-quality OEM sectors, as demand picks up in third quarter.